The Top 7 Smartest Dogs
How smart is your dog?
You may think your Beagle is the brainiest, your Siberian Husky is the sharpest or your Cocker Spaniel is the cleverest pooch on the block – but paws a minute.
Trainers say any dog can learn the basics such as sitting, staying and coming when you call. But some breeds are more intelligent than others.
Doggy researchers have come up with a list of the dogs that stand out from the pack. They base their findings on how quickly dogs learn, how well they respond to human commands and if they can act on their own if necessary.
Rufus, the dog in my children’s book WOOF – A Boy's Best Friend is smarter than your average dog. He’s a stray that walks into the life of Jeremy, a lonely nine-year-old, and changes his life. Along the way, Rufus manages to put Jeremy in a few fixes – but pulls him out of some, too. Rufus is of dubious ancestry; a mixture of breeds, so you won’t find him on this list.
How does your dog shape up?
7. Labrador Retriever
You may think your Beagle is the brainiest, your Siberian Husky is the sharpest or your Cocker Spaniel is the cleverest pooch on the block – but paws a minute.
Trainers say any dog can learn the basics such as sitting, staying and coming when you call. But some breeds are more intelligent than others.
Doggy researchers have come up with a list of the dogs that stand out from the pack. They base their findings on how quickly dogs learn, how well they respond to human commands and if they can act on their own if necessary.
Rufus, the dog in my children’s book WOOF – A Boy's Best Friend is smarter than your average dog. He’s a stray that walks into the life of Jeremy, a lonely nine-year-old, and changes his life. Along the way, Rufus manages to put Jeremy in a few fixes – but pulls him out of some, too. Rufus is of dubious ancestry; a mixture of breeds, so you won’t find him on this list.
How does your dog shape up?
7. Labrador Retriever
Seventh out of 7 is The Labrador Retriever. The Lab, as it's affectionately known, is hugely popular with pet lovers in the UK and US. These gorgeous dogs are named for the cold waters off Newfoundland where they were first bred.
Their short thick coat, webbed feet and heavy tail are perfect for swimming long distances in cold water, making them a favourite for hunting and water rescue. Known for their intelligence, patience, affection and gentleness, they are easily trained and make ideal companions and pets in households with kids, as therapy dogs and helping lead the blind.
Photo credit: Flickr Kevin Rodriguez Ortiz
Their short thick coat, webbed feet and heavy tail are perfect for swimming long distances in cold water, making them a favourite for hunting and water rescue. Known for their intelligence, patience, affection and gentleness, they are easily trained and make ideal companions and pets in households with kids, as therapy dogs and helping lead the blind.
Photo credit: Flickr Kevin Rodriguez Ortiz
6. The Shetland Sheepdog
The "Sheltie" is a herding dog, equally at home on the farm or in the suburbs, as long as they get plenty of exercise.
This rough-coated, longhaired working breed is alert and intelligent and can do a lot more than sit and roll over. It can learn new commands with few repetitions, making sure all the livestock or the family are safe and sound.
Photo credit: Flickr Krysta
The "Sheltie" is a herding dog, equally at home on the farm or in the suburbs, as long as they get plenty of exercise.
This rough-coated, longhaired working breed is alert and intelligent and can do a lot more than sit and roll over. It can learn new commands with few repetitions, making sure all the livestock or the family are safe and sound.
Photo credit: Flickr Krysta
5. Doberman Pinscher
This breed was originally bred by a German tax collector for protection on his rounds. Known for their fearlessness, stamina and fear, they are one of the most popular breed of guard dogs.
They may appear intimidating, but modern Dobermans are less aggressive and with proper training can make loyal pets. They understand their owner’s temperament well and can adjust to the given situation.
Photo credit: Flickr TNS Safres
They may appear intimidating, but modern Dobermans are less aggressive and with proper training can make loyal pets. They understand their owner’s temperament well and can adjust to the given situation.
Photo credit: Flickr TNS Safres
4. Golden Retriever
Bred as a hunting companion in Scotland in 1865, this fiercely loyal, friendly and patient dog is obedient and easily trained. They love to learn, being able to follow over 200 commands.
Their eagerness to please makes them very popular as family pets, as guide dogs for leading the blind or deaf, also for hunting and search-and-rescue operations. Like other brainy breeds, they need space to exercise and activities to utilize their mind.
Photo credit: RD_Elsie
Their eagerness to please makes them very popular as family pets, as guide dogs for leading the blind or deaf, also for hunting and search-and-rescue operations. Like other brainy breeds, they need space to exercise and activities to utilize their mind.
Photo credit: RD_Elsie
3. German Shepherd
The shepherd was originally bred for intelligence in Germany in 1889. It is the world’s first choice by police, the military and security firms. They can learn tasks after only a few repetitions and can regularly obey commands the first time they are given.
They are also good herding dogs and make loyal and obedient companions and family pets. These energetic dogs need plenty of exercise to use up their energy, and are best suited to homes with a big garden or with an owner willing to take them out for long romps.
Photo credit: Flickr Del
They are also good herding dogs and make loyal and obedient companions and family pets. These energetic dogs need plenty of exercise to use up their energy, and are best suited to homes with a big garden or with an owner willing to take them out for long romps.
Photo credit: Flickr Del
2. Poodle
Poodles have both beauty and brains and were bred to retrieve things from the water. They excel at training and have even been used to take supplies to the wounded on the battle field. They love playing and this also made them popular as circus performers.
They come in three different sizes: toy, miniature and standard and all need lots of grooming. Known for their loving nature, they make good pets. However, they are active dogs that thrive on learning and attention, and can get bored if left alone for too long.
Photo credit: Flickr Koji Ishii
1. Border Collie
The Number One slot goes to a dog prized for its intelligence. They hail from the highland borders of England and Scotland and are the world's premier sheep herder. They are hard-working and have great problem solving ability.
Highly energetic, they need lots of exercise and thrive in the country. They excel at training and make ideal home companions for those who can give them mental stimulation and plenty to do.
Photo credit: Flickr Harold Meerveld
Highly energetic, they need lots of exercise and thrive in the country. They excel at training and make ideal home companions for those who can give them mental stimulation and plenty to do.
Photo credit: Flickr Harold Meerveld
To find out more about Rufus and Jeremy in my book for ages 7+ WOOF – A Boy's Best Friend pop over to my author's page at:
viewAuthor.at/DakotaDouglas
Thanks for reading and don't forget to keep reaching for the stars
viewAuthor.at/DakotaDouglas
Thanks for reading and don't forget to keep reaching for the stars
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