We all love our dogs and assume they are the absolute best.
But have you ever wondered if your dog is particularly intelligent?
Stanley Coren is a professor of canine psychology. He, along with help from the American and Canine Kennel clubs, surveyed dog owners and asked obedience trial judges for their opinions. Then he put together a comprehensive list of the smartest dog breeds.
Here is the answer to all your questions:
Dalmatians are the only dogs with spots to make it onto the list. They are above average working dogs and are capable of understanding a new command after it has been repeated roughly twenty times.
These little dogs love having something to do, and they go at it with everything they have. They were bred to manage rats, but it was quickly discovered that they were also useful for bigger jobs.
There superb swimmers are also excellent hunting dogs. They can stealthily hunt prey, giving an advantage to the hunters they are with.
These intelligent canines are the national dog of Malta. They are well known for their rabbit-hunting and love being given the task.
English setters are also exceptional hunting dogs. They are often used to locate birds and scare them out of hiding. What dog wouldn’t love doing that?
They make up for their small size with their energy and intelligence. This breed requires mental stimulation to bring out their best side.
These agile dogs love to learn, making teaching them a breeze. They are often used as show dogs because of both their appearance and ability to perform.
This breed is adaptable and loves to travel. They were originally bred as working dogs but quickly became a favorite as a pet.
These dogs have honorable roots, being rumored to have begun as big game hunting dogs for Vikings. Today, they are known for their exceptional tracking skills.
These gentle dogs have taken a role as therapy dogs. However, they still have a skill set that allows them to remain on top in hunting competitions.
This breed can do just about anything from herding to police work. They love working and learning.
This dedicated breed will not give up on a task until it is complete. However, they might be better known for their role in movies such as The Wizard of Oz.
This is the first dog breed known to walk a tightrope. They can learn just about anything, earning them a role as circus dogs.
These herding dogs can be found at many dog shows. They are loved for their abilities as well as their unique look.
If you ever thought that dogs stop learning after a certain age, a Gordon setter would quickly prove you wrong. Their skills sharpen as they get older, and they can, indeed, learn new tricks when they are old dogs.
#48 American Staffordshire terriers
These nanny dogs have an exceptional level of patience for children. As for obedience, they will listen to a command the first time at least seventy percent of the time. That’s not too shabby.
This amiable terrier is the first breed to come from Australia. While they do have a level of stubbornness, they still make excellent work dogs.
This breed is extremely loyal and good-natured. However, when danger is present, they also become a great defender and will put themselves between their owners and the threat.
Dogs of this breed require physical activity and intellectual stimulation to bring out their best side. Despite being shy, they take to learning quickly.
This is one of the world’s oldest breeds. They have a history as sled dogs, but their time with humans goes back much farther than that.
Dogs of this breed are full of energy. They make excellent watchdogs and love to hunt for rabbits.
#42 Welsh springer spaniels
These modern show dogs do more than just look pretty. They are also tireless hunting dogs.
These helpful dogs are often used to protect children and flocks. They have also been used to carry supplies during wars and serve as watchdogs.
These terriers have one skill that no others can match – their tunnel digging talent. They are also one of the more well-mannered and calm terriers.
This breed is even-tempered and focused. They are often used as police dogs in parts of Europe.
This is the largest terrier breed. These fearless dogs excel in obedience, protection, and tracking.
#37 Portuguese water dogs
This breed is often used as therapy and hearing dogs. They are capable of learning complicated commands and can learn those commands fairly quickly.
This breed is often used as guard dogs. They are highly intelligent, although not always the easiest dogs to work with. You often need to gain their respect before they will listen to you.
These confident dogs can do just about anything despite their diminutive size. They are often used as therapy dogs and pets.
These prize sheepherders are intelligent and patient. However, just like intelligent humans, they can become bored with repetition.
#33 Chesapeake Bay retrievers
This courageous breed was often used to retrieve birds from icy lakes. These days, they are usually kept as pets.
#32 Cardigan Welsh corgis
Corgis are intelligent herding dogs. They are extremely adaptable and can be just as happy curled up at home as they are when working on a farm.
This breed ranks extremely high in obedience, agility, and conformation. They are often used as bomb-sniffing dogs and are always up to the task.
Did you know that some dogs have webbed feet? This breed does, making them excellent swimmers in addition to being highly intelligent.
These tiny dogs have a lot of energy and brains. They have fans everywhere.
#28 Bernese mountain dogs
This breed is so strong that the dogs were once used to pull carts. While they are no longer needed for the task, they still have their brains to rely on.
This is an extremely intelligent working dog breed. They are often utilized as police dogs and have even worked alongside Navy SEALs.
These intelligent dogs are excellent at tracking. They are also known for their mischievousness and the ability to outsmart their owners when it comes to sneaking extra snacks or escaping.
#25 Nova Scotia duck tolling retrievers
These excellent hunting dogs are great at luring birds towards hunters. They’re also adept at retrieving and anything else they are asked to do.
These sweet-natured dogs can master a huge number of tricks. Just don’t use them as a guard dog unless you want them to happily welcome the intruders.
This is an energetic breed of dogs who are always eager to make their owners proud. They are often employed as show dogs and hunting dogs.
This breed has been used as guard dogs, dispatch carriers, and vermin catchers. They also make excellent family pets.
#21 English cocker spaniels
This naturally playful breed is exceedingly easy to train. They make perfect assistance dogs for children.
#20 Flat-coated retrievers
This breed excels in tracking, agility, and obedience. They are loyal and make excellent exercise companions and hunting dogs.
#19 German short-haired pointers
This breed has found employment in search and rescue teams. They are also amazing hunters and the perfect pet for active owners.
These dogs are problem solvers. They are also extremely obedient and listen to a command the first time more than eighty-five percent of the time.
This intelligent breed is another problem solver. They don’t just follow commands. They can actually work their way around a problem and find their way to a solution.
This breed is easy to train. The North Wales Police have even trained them to headbutt suspects in the stomach to subdue them.
This tenacious breed is eager to learn new commands and tricks. They guard possessions and make a great addition to any home.
This breed is often found among working military and police dogs. They learn commands quickly and are always up for a challenge.
#13 English springer spaniels
These show-stopping show dogs are both intelligent and loyal. In addition, it only takes repeating a new command about ten times before they catch on.
These dogs have excellent hearing as well as intelligence. They were often used to sound the alert that a predator was approaching livestock.
#11 Pembroke Welsh corgis
This cute little dog is all brains. They listen to commands and are excellent at everything they do.
#10 Australian cattle dogs
This cattle dog breed loves the outdoors. They are perfect for bringing on adventures and learn new commands extremely quickly.
While they make look intimidating, these dogs are actually incredibly easy to train. They have become great therapy dogs as well as police dogs.
This breed is perfect as solving puzzles in addition to being very high energy. Many owners may have a hard time keeping up.
This popular breed makes the perfect service dog. They can do anything they are trained to, including the laundry!
This herding dog enjoys being useful. They have become well known as medical alert dogs and always find a way to be a part of our lives.
This protective breed has a long history of service. These days, they make excellent guard dogs as well as service dogs.
This family dog does more than just look adorable and play fetch. Because they are intelligent and easy to train, they are service dogs and play a role in search and rescue teams.
This breed can do just about anything. They pick up commands exceptionally quickly and are often utilized by police.
This fluffy dog has a history that includes working in circuses as well as being an active part of the hunt. There is more to a poodle than just their fur.
Finally, the most intelligent breed – the border collie. They can solve complex problems and follow a wide variety of signals and commands. Some have even been known to learn over a thousand words.
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