Top 10 Smartest Dogs

For Some People Intelligence Matters When Choosing a Dog Breed

When it comes to picking the right dog for you and your family there are many traits that you might consider. While loyalty, potential for shedding and the amount of exercise the dog will need are all considerations, some people are more concerned with the capacity of the dog to learn. In this article we will cover the top 10 smartest dogs – at least the general consensus as to the top ten breeds when it comes to intelligence testing in a canine forum. These breeds include: Labrador retriever, German shepherd, poodle, Border collie, golden retriever, Doberman pinscher, Australian cattle dog, Rottweiler, Papillion, and the Shetland sheepdog.

The Labrador Retriever

A Brief Note about the Labrador Retriever

The Labrador retriever is the most popular dog in the nation and it also happens to be one of the most intelligent breeds out there. Labradors are athletic dogs that were originally bred for retrieving fishing nets and as such they have webbed feet and extremely strong necks. Labrador retrievers are excellent swimmers and have a dual layer coat that is designed to maintain the dog’s body temperature even when the dog is submerged in freezing waters as they frequently were when used to retrieve fishing nets.

There are Two Varieties of Labrador Retriever

There are two recognized types of Labrador retriever: the English and the American Labrador. The English Labrador is a Labrador retriever that has been bred from English parentage; they differ in appearance from American Labradors. English Labradors are stockier, thicker and have “blockier” heads with shorter snouts. American Labradors tend to much more lanky in appearance and generally has longer legs, a taller average height and longer snouts. Both of these types of Labrador come in three color varieties: yellow, black and chocolate. There are some who are of the opinion that Labradors car be silver in color but this simply is not true.

Keeping a Labrador as a Pet

The intelligence level of the Labrador retriever is particularly high which makes these dogs particularly good for working dogs. Working dogs can work in a variety of fields but all dogs that were bred to have a “job” are generally miserable without adequate mental and physical stimulation and the Labrador is no exception. A bored Labrador will destroy a home, misbehave, dig under a fence or otherwise act out. If you plan to keep a Labrador as a pet it is important that you always offer your dog adequate exercise in addition to stimulation to prevent boredom. Some ways that you can prevent your Labrador from getting bored include: playing games such as hide and seek, teaching new commands, taking part in activities such as agility, working as a therapy dog handler and providing new stimulation on a regular basis.

The German Shepherd

A Brief Note about the German Shepherd

The German shepherd dog is a breed that dates back only as far as 1899 where it was developed as a working dog in Germany. The original purpose of the German shepherd dog was for herding sheep and guarding them to ensure that flocks were not decimated by predators. The strength of these dogs alone makes them ideal for guardians of sheep flocks but so too does the dogs ability to be easily trained. The extreme intelligence of this dog breed however soon resulted in German shepherds being used for various other working jobs as well.

The Appearance of the German Shepherd

The German Shepherd is a relatively large dog that has a long and square muzzle with a scissor bite. The ears of this dog stand tall and pull backwards when the dog moves. Most commonly the German shepherd is black and tan in color and can have a variety of markings; however, other base colors of German shepherds are noted including: all black, all white, sable and blue. The German shepherd has a double coat with the undercoat being particularly thick and protective of the skin.

Keeping a German Shepherd as a Pet

German shepherds are much like Labrador retrievers in that they require constant stimulation in order to thrive. A German shepherd that is not provided with adequate intellectual or physical activity will take that energy and turn it elsewhere. German shepherds almost always thrive in taking part in rewarding jobs such as working as police dogs, drug dogs, therapy dogs or in physically rewarding jobs such as agility work.

The Poodle

A Brief Note About the Poodle

The poodle is recognized as being the second most intelligent dog in the world, second only to the border collie. There are three sizes of poodles, the miniature, the toy and the standard poodle. This breed of dog was originally bred to be a water dog; however, over the years this breed has adapted to a number of different sports and jobs. Today the poodle is used in agility, tracking, obedience and herding.

The Appearance of the Poodle

As mentioned above there are three sizes of poodles but all have a curly coat that does not shed which makes this breed appeal to many families with allergies. Poodles do not have a double coat like Labradors and German shepherds; they come in a variety of colors including: grey, white, black, red, cream, brown, apricot, blue and silver. Poodles have a long and straight muzzle with long and flat ears.

Keeping a Poodle as a Pet

Poodles are extremely intelligent dogs and are fast learners which make them great pets for those who are willing to work with them. Due to the fact that these dogs are such fast learners many people believe that they make the perfect pet however, without direction and teaching poodles can be difficult to handle and hard headed. Of all varieties of poodle the standard sized poodle is the version of this breed with the lowest level of energy but all versions of poodles can become highly strung and resistant when not handled with proper care. Poodles are needy dogs and as a breed they require an attentive family not only to keep them stimulated psychologically and physically but also a family that makes them feel like part of the pack.

The Border Collie

A Brief Note About the Border Collie

The border collie is a popular breed known for being the top most intelligent dog breed worldwide. This dog was initially developed as a herding dog in England and Scotland where it herded a number of livestock but particularly sheep. The border collie is still widely used as a herding dog in England and Scotland both and are often found on farming properties.

The Appearance of the Border Collie

The border collie is a medium sized dog that has a moderate coat that is much like the German Shepherds in the presence of a double coat. Unlike the German shepherd the border collie is not known to shed too much. The border collie coat comes in a variety of colors including red, black and white, red merle, blue merle, brindle and Australian red. The most commonly seen coloring of the border collie is a combination of black and white with a long silky coat. The eyes of the border collie can vary in color and a dog may even have heterochromia or two different colored eyes. Heterochromia is particularly common in border collies, Australian shepherds and husky dogs.

Keeping a Border Collie as a Pet

Keeping a border collie as a pet can be challenging for a household that is not prepared for a highly energetic and demanding dog. Border collies require a lot of exercise both physically and mentally and when they are not provided with these things they can quickly become neurotic. A bored border collie is a dog that no one wants to contend with because this boredom is frequently channeled in to extremely destructive behaviors such as digging and chewing. Most commonly the border collie excels in a household that provides extracurricular activity such as agility work, herding work, extensive obedience work or fly ball competition. Even with adequate outlets for their energy, border collies are herding dogs by nature and this often breeds in to them an instinctive herding instinct which they will perform on anything and everything including young children.

The Golden Retriever

A Brief Note About the Golden Retriever

The golden retriever was initially bred as a gundog used to retrieve game; this use meant that these dogs were bred to have a soft mouth to prevent damage to birds that were retrieved during the hunt. These dogs are particularly easy to please which makes them ideal as candidates for many different jobs aside from being retrieval dogs during the hunt. In the United States the golden retriever is the fifth most popular dog breed when it comes to dog ownership.

The Appearance of the Golden Retriever

There are two recognized variations of the golden retriever, the British type and the American dog lines. This difference is similar to that found in Labrador retrievers as mentioned above. The muzzle of the British golden retriever is shorter and wider and the head is blockier than that of the American bred golden retriever. The coat of the golden retriever comes in a variety of colors all of which fall along the golden color scale. The base of the double layer coat is composed of soft hairs that lie flat against the dog’s skin and sheds in the spring and fall. The top coat of the golden retriever is longer and wavy and it sheds year round. The length of the golden retrievers coat is considered to be “long” however, it is not so long that it proves to be problematic in the field for retrieval dogs used in the hunt.

Keeping a Golden Retriever as a Pet

Golden retrievers are one of the most popular breeds of dog kept as pets worldwide. The golden retriever is a quick learner that is well mannered and easy to please. These intelligent dogs are gentle with their human families but require exercise daily in order to remain a good family dog. Without adequate exercise the golden retriever will become overly energetic and may easily harm young children or become a nuisance in their behavior. This breed of dog generally prefers to have a job or a challenge such as constant obedience training or a sport to keep them busy as well as mentally stimulated. The golden retriever like many of the dog breeds already mentioned are great for a number of popular dog jobs including: drug detection, seeing eye dogs and therapy dogs.

The Doberman Pinscher

A Brief Note About the Doberman Pinscher

The Doberman pinscher was originally bred as a protector dog to stand by the side of the local tax collector back in 1890. The original intent in creating the Doberman breed was to combine intelligence, loyalty, speed, ferocity, strength and endurance to result in a dog that would quickly and easily protect its master. Over time the breed has progressed and become what it is today; however, the tendency of this dog breed to the traits for which it was originally bred make it the prime target for those looking to selectively breed aggressive dogs. When bred appropriately and carefully however the Doberman is a well rounded and devoted dog.

The Appearance of the Doberman Pinscher

Doberman pinschers are medium sized dogs with extremely compact bodies that are muscular in appearance. The head of the Doberman is described as being wedge shaped and is long in appearance with a long muzzle and a scissor bite. Most commonly these dogs are found with black on black, dark brown on red, dark gray on blue, dark tan on fawn or pink on white coloring.

Keeping a Doberman Pinscher as a Pet

The Doberman pinscher is another dog breed that is often chosen as a popular pet breed because of the balance of characteristics common to the breed. When choosing a Doberman pinscher it is important to research the genetic line of the dog you pick due to the number of temperament and health conditions that can occur through poor breeding. A well bred Doberman is a dog that is extremely intelligent and requires regular exercise in order to be well rounded and obedient. A bored Doberman is a dog that has far too much energy to function as a family pet as with many other intelligent breeds since it will become destructive.

The Australian Cattle Dog

A Brief Note About the Australian Cattle Dog

The Australian cattle dog was originally bred in Australia in order to drive cattle over long distances. Unlike other breeds of herding dogs the Australian cattle dog was specifically designed to work in rough Australian terrain with larger herding animals.

The Appearance of the Australian Cattle Dog

The Australian cattle dog is a compact dog that has a body that is longer than it is tall and it is recognized for being particularly agile and hardy. The skull of the Australian cattle dog is broad and the ears are wide and stand tall when the dog is on alert. The Australian cattle dog has a scissor bite. This dog is another breed that has a double coat with a short but dense undercoat and a smooth top coat. The color of the Australian cattle dog coat can be blue, blue mottled, blue speckled or red speckled.

Keeping An Australian Cattle Dog as a Pet

Australian cattle dogs are much like border collies when it comes to being kept as pets. These dogs require extreme amounts of exercise and as such without a job to do, extreme levels of exercise and stimulation or a career as a farm dog, these dogs are prone to high levels of energy and mischief. The ACD is a loyal and brave dog known for being a hard worker and will exhibit serious behavior problems when not provided with enough exercise and stimulation.

The Rottweiler

A Brief Note About the Rottweiler

The Rottweiler was originally bred in Rottweil, Germany where the dog was intended to herd livestock and pull carts that carried butchered meat to the market. In the mid 19^th century the Rottweiler began to lose its position as a working dog when trains were utilized for moving cattle to the market.

The Appearance of the Rottweiler

The Rottweiler is a solid muscular dog that is generally regarded as being a large breed. This dog breed is a wide dog with a thick broad skull and a short muzzle with teeth that meet in a scissor bite. The ears of the Rottweiler lay flat against the head and the eyes of this dog are almond shaped. The Rottweiler is mostly all black with rich tan markings that comprise the double layered coat. The under coat of this dog is found on the neck and the thighs of the dog and does not show through the top coat. The top coat is medium in length but is dense and coarse but not wavy.

Keeping a Rottweiler as a Pet

Rottweilers do not have such high energy levels as the border collie and Australian cattle dog however, they require frequent exercise to maintain a healthy weight. It is also important to ensure that the Rottweiler receives adequate levels of mental stimulation in order to prevent them from becoming bored and acting out. When bored a Rottweiler will entertain itself most commonly by creating havoc within the home and destroying items that do not belong to it, they may also dig under or jump fences. When provided adequate exercise and stimulation Rottweiler’s are loyal and strong dogs who are quick to learn and fast to obey. As with Dobermans however, it is important to thoroughly research the genetic line of a Rottweiler in order to avoid any temperament or serious health conditions.

The Papillion

A Brief Note About the Papillion

The Papillion is so named for the shape of the fringe on the dogs ears that resemble a butterfly in appearance. This dog breed is traditionally associated with royalty since many famous royals made a habit of carrying the small dogs under their arms.

The Appearance of the Papillion

The Papillion is a small toy breed that presents with either dropped ears or perky ears that stand tall. The muzzle of the dog is short and the teeth meet in a scissor bite. The Papillion has a single layer coat unlike many of the dogs mentioned above; this coat is long and fine and appears somewhat flowing and wispy. The coat of the Papillion is white but appears with patches that can be any color. This dog carries its long tail over its body.

Keeping a Papillion as a Pet

The Papillion is just one of two small breeds of dog (counting the toy poodle) that fall in to the category of the top ten smartest dogs in the world. This dog is a particularly fast learner and is easy to integrate in to any family that understands how to handle a small dog. The Papillion make a great companion dog however it is important not to manhandle this small dog too frequently or you risk giving the dog a nervous disposition or separation anxiety. This toy breed has a particularly high energy level and as such they require higher levels of exercise than many other toy breeds.

The Shetland Sheepdog

A Brief Note About the Shetland Sheepdog

The Shetland sheepdog is commonly referred to as the Sheltie and was originally bred from dogs native to the Shetland Isles. These original dogs of the Shetland Isles were bred to be herding dogs that protected sheep. Over the years it is said that the Sheltie was developed through the cross breeding of various other dogs with the Shetland herder.

The Appearance of the Shetland Sheepdog

The Shetland sheepdog is a medium sized dog that is sturdy in appearance and features a double coat. These dogs should always appear to be alert and the tail is held low and lifted when the dog is standing to attention. The under coat of the Sheltie is soft and thick and the top coat is long and water repellent. The coat of the Sheltie can be three recognized colors: blue merle, sable and black.

Keeping a Shetland Sheepdog as a Pet

Keeping a Shetland Sheepdog as a pet works well for many people, this breed is loyal and eager to please its master. The Sheltie is not a yard dog and requires pack life to be a healthy and happy dog. The Sheltie is an intelligent dog and often uses that against its owner if the owner is not firm and consistent by refusing to obey. A Sheltie that is well exercised and given psychological stimulation is a happy dog but even then it may be seen to herd family members or even strangers.

Which Dog Breed is the Smartest?

According to many reviews the border collie is recognized as the smartest dog breed; however, as with humans the intelligence levels of dogs vary. An individual dog of any breed may prove itself to be much more intelligent than a purebred border collie. The fact is that many more factors should be taken in to account when choosing the right dog breed for you and your family aside from just the stated level of intelligence of that breed.