Know About the 10 Smartest Dog Breeds: The Furry Einsteins
Dogs are undoubtedly men’s best friends. Once adopted, these magnificent creatures become an inseparable part of the families of their human friends in no time. While their cuteness make dogs instant favorites of their human families, their intelligence and smartness are no less significant. If you are a pet parent curious about your pooch’s intelligence level or are a newbie planning to get a smart four-legged companion, this piece of reading can help. However, some dog breeds are prohibited in certain parts of the country. So, do not miss to consider the restrictions enforced by the Federal Government breed-specific legislation (BSL) while selecting a dog for adoption.
Read this blog to know how smart dog breeds are classified, the 10 smartest dog breeds, and how to determine your dog’s smartness level.
Classification of The Smartest Dog Breeds
Stanley Coren, a canine psychology professor, published a book, The Intelligence of Dogs, in 1994. It is the landmark book of dog intelligence. In this book, Stanley defines three aspects of dog intelligence: instinctive intelligence, adaptive intelligence, and working and obedience intelligence. With a focus on working and obedience intelligence, Stanley classifies over 100 dog breeds into the following categories and assigns them up to 79 ranks (with some ties):
10 Smartest Dog Breeds:
Based on Stanley Coren’s research, the following 10 are the brightest dog breeds in the world. Let us take a look at the peculiarities of each of them:
1. Border Collie
Border Collies have been bred for herding sheep. They have exceptional problem-solving skills and learn the cues quickly during training. Considered workaholics, dogs from this breed are the happiest when they are occupied with a job to finish, and perform the best in agility and obedience competitions.
2. Poodle
Poodles were originally bred for hunting & water retrieving. These highly trainable dogs have aced at all jobs from sheep herding to bringing supplies to battlefields in the past. With a great sense of humor, these loving dogs possess qualities like decision-making, quick learning, focus and obedience and deliver the podium finish at agility and obedience competitions.
3. German Shepherd
Originally bred to herd sheep and protect flocks, German Shepherds are the preferred choice for police and military services due to their excellent focus and problem-solving skills. These versatile dogs easily learn commands for many different tasks, making them highly trainable. These hard-working dogs adapt to situations effortlessly and learn a new command on the first attempt.
4. Golden Retriever
Golden Retrievers are one of the most popular family dogs in the USA as they are easily trainable and have a notoriously gentle nature. These dogs excel in obedience, retrieving, and agility and are a fantastic choice as service dogs for people with disabilities and therapy.
5. Doberman Pinscher
These fearless and energetic canines were first bred as guard dogs and have an intense instinct to protect. They have unmatched focus and attention and are extremely intelligent. These fiercely loyal dogs are easy to train and are equally suitable for both roles: family dogs and police/military dogs.
6. Shetland Sheepdog
Also known as Shelties, these dogs were bred on the Shetland Islands and originally served as herding dogs. These dogs do not give up and keep trying repeatedly until they get the task right. Known for their intelligence, these dogs have excellent problem-solving skills and are full of energy. Affectionate in nature, these dogs are well suited for therapy dog work.
7. Labrador Retriever
Fondly known as Labs, dogs of this breed are an ideal choice for first-time pet parents and prove to be a fantastic family dog. These highly intelligent dogs are capable of self-training by merely watching and imitating their humans. They possess a powerful sense of smell and can understand and make quick decisions hence they make a favorite choice for assistance services.
8. Papillon
Papillon is the French word for ‘butterfly’. The breed gets its name from its butterfly-shaped ears. This breed is the smallest in the smartest dogs list and the smartest in the toy dog breeds. These dogs are highly energetic and win frequently at agility competitions. These quick learners are easy to train and prove to be loyal family pets.
9. Rottweiler
Tough in stature and gentle in nature, Rottweilers have an eager-to-please attitude and an ability to adapt to all types of roles assigned to them. These dogs share a strong bond with their human companions and when trained well, do exceptionally well as police and military dogs, guard dogs, and search-and-rescue dogs.
10. Australian Cattle Dog
True to their name, Australian Cattle Dogs were bred originally to herd cattle for long distances. These incredibly intelligent dogs are quick thinkers and learn new commands fast. They are extremely hard-working and always need a job to do, and excel at intensive sports like agility, rally obedience, flyball, etc.
Also Read: Top 10 Best Guard Dogs for Families
How to Determine a Dog’s Smartness?
Each dog is different and is smart in their way. There are, however, various doggie IQ tests that can help assess the intelligence level of canines. You can evaluate your dog’s level of intelligence at home by their ability to solve puzzles, blanket escape, trick or treat, learn new cues, etc.
Common Questions Regarding Dog Intelligence:
Dog parents and pet enthusiasts often discuss dogs’ intelligence levels and have a lot of questions in mind. Here are answers to some of the most common questions regarding the same:
Q. Which Dog Breed Has the Highest IQ?
A. In terms of doggie IQ, Border Collie is the smartest dog breed as per the research done by canine psychology professor Stanley Coren.
Q. What Is the IQ of a Dog?
A. Dogs do not think the same way as humans and do not absorb information the same way as we do. However, studies suggest that an average dog has an IQ of around 100.
Q. Who Has More IQ, a Dog or a Cat?
A. Studies reveal that the brain layer that controls problem-solving and decision-making functions has more neurons in dogs compared to cats. Though the relation between higher brain size and increased intelligence is not conclusively established, there is a general notion that dogs are smarter than cats.
To Conclude
Dogs are considered smart creatures and make fantastic pets. Reading this blog will help you know about the smartest dog breeds in the world and how you can gauge your dog’s smartness. Besides, if adding a smart furry companion to the family is on your list, this information will help you find the one that will match your expectations the best.