Have you ever wondered which canines are thought to be the smartest and why? Although each dog is intelligent in their own way, certain breeds take the cake when it comes to communicating with humans. Certain breeds have exceptional problem-solving and quick learning skills that they are eager to show off. Today, we’ll discuss the five dog breeds known as the smartest and what makes these pups special.
What Factors Make a Breed “Smart”?
There are three main ways to measure dog intelligence, which mainly refer to how a canine interacts with humans.
- Adaptive: How well a dog learns to problem-solve from their environment, especially things they learn by themselves
- Instinctive: A dog’s nature to perform specific tasks; common instincts formed by intentional breeding include retrieving, guarding, and herding
- Working and obedience: How hard is a canine willing to work to do their jobs and please their people?
The driving forces that influence these factors are a dog’s desire and ability to communicate effectively with humans. Canines express this through their actions, such as barks and body movements, and by seeking to understand a human’s actions and commands. Although these dog breeds were ranked by how quickly they could learn commands, canine intelligence takes on many unique forms. Even if your pup isn’t on this list, they undoubtedly excel in another field that makes them a genius in their own right.
Border Collie
Border Collies are ranked at the top of the list of smartest dog breeds. These intelligent and energetic pups are part of the herding dog group and excel at communicating with humans. While the average dog learns roughly 160 words in their lifetime, one border collie from the early 2000s named Chaser made headlines for learning over 1,000 proper nouns.
These pups aren’t just book-smart; their quick-thinking and strong work ethics allow them to think on their feet and adapt to a variety of situations. Border Collies are known for being workaholics with endless energy, so they’re often happiest when they have a job to do. Experts recommend implementing obedience training and a constructive outlet for Border Collies to channel their energy into. These energetic pups may require a lot of mental and physical stimulation, but they also make loyal and affectionate companions.
Poodle
Poodles have impressive emotional and cognitive intelligence, which makes them the second most intelligent dog breed. This surprisingly clever breed is the only non-sporting breed to make the top five of this list. Although Poodles’ distinguished appearance allows many of these pups to be show dogs, this breed was initially bred to be duck-hunting dogs and water retrievers.
These pups are incredibly versatile; they can excel as hunting dogs, agility sports enthusiasts, and loyal companions. Since Poodles have a long history of working alongside humans, they are easy to train and love to show off their skills. This performance-oriented breed craves attention and is eager to please, which aids with obedience and skills training. No matter which type of Poodle it is, this breed is sure to be quick-thinking and enjoy being challenged.
German Shepherd
Whether it’s problem-solving, protecting their loved ones, or working demanding jobs, German Shepherds can do it all. This breed’s high level of intelligence earns them the third spot on our list of most intelligent breeds. Since German Shepherds were bred to protect sheep from potential dangers, many of these pups spent years practicing problem-solving in their field. This intelligent breed still has these hard-working, focused, and adaptable instincts today.
German Shepherds are energetic pups that become bored quickly, so owners of this breed should engage their pup in plenty of mentally and physically stimulating activities. Additionally, this breed is known for being exceptionally courageous and driven. Many of these pups can be found in police or military work and search and rescue operations. German Shepherds love having a job to do and can handle stress like a pro, which is why this breed excels in demanding environments.
Golden Retriever
This fun-loving breed is a fan favorite among many families thanks to their intelligent and easygoing nature. In addition to being excellent family dogs, Golden Retrievers excel at hunting, retrieving, search and rescue operations, and being service dogs. Although they aren’t #1 on the list, Golden Retrievers’ sensible and calm temperament set them apart from other pups.
Golden Retrievers can learn new commands quickly and are eager to please, making them extremely trainable pups. Many Golden Retrievers can learn around 200 commands, many of which are learned on the first try. This breed is reliable and obedient, which is why they’re often employed as therapy animals, service dogs, or search and rescue operations.
Doberman Pinscher
Don’t be fooled by a Doberman Pinscher’s intimidating appearance; this breed is sweet, loyal, and loves their family. Doberman Pinschers are intelligent and eager to please, meaning they can easily learn new commands and respond to them quickly. Since this breed was bred to protect their family, present-day Doberman Pinschers maintain and utilize these guarding instincts.
Many Doberman Pinschers are used in police and military work due to their high levels of obedience and trainability. However, these versatile dogs are also fun-loving pups that are surprisingly gentle with children and loved ones. Many Doberman Pinschers also make excellent service and therapy dogs. Since this protective breed can be wary of strangers, proper training and socialization are essential to ensure they adjust well to new environments.
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