Top 10 smartest dogs in the world

Jan 01, 2009 4:52 PM by Victoria Heuer

Posted in Pets & Animals / Dogs

Smart Dogs

Do you think your dog is in the top 10th percentile of its species? Should you start filling out that Mensa application for your fido? Take a peek at our list to see if your dog's breed is one of the top 10 smartest dog breeds in the world.

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Golden Retriever

A very affectionate and popular breed, the Golden Retriever is highly regarded for its intelligence. They can learn well over 200 commands, making them indispensable companions, both in the home and in the workplace. Loyal, loving, and patient, with a willingness to please and a love of learning, this is a fabulous companion pet to bring into your family.

German Shepherd

The Shepherd was originally bred specifically for intelligence. Smart, courageous, and protective, the Shepherd is one of the most dependable of companions. They learn tasks after only a few repetitions, and obey first commands nearly always the first time it is given. They are eager to learn new tasks, as this gives them direction and purpose -- very important for a Shepherd. Besides being used for herding animals, they are often used as guard dogs, police dogs, search-and-rescue dogs, and have even been trained by the military for parachute jumps.

Poodle

Easily trainable, steadfast, and sharp-minded, Poodles flourish in human company. Even with the frou-frou hairdos, Poodles are sometimes made to endure and can be quite effective as guard dogs, especially the standard sized Poodles. In fact, the "poodle clip," was created specifically for the working Poodle, so that it could swim more effectively, while still having fur to protect its organs as it went about the business of hunting and retrieving. The Poodle excels at training and obedience, and also loves creative play time. This is what made them so popular as circus performers. But, this can be a drawback as well. If left alone to boredom, Poodles can be creative about finding ways to amuse themselves, sometimes finding trouble along the way.

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Tags: border collie doberman pinscher dogs german shepherd golden retriever labrador retriever papillon pets poodle rottweiler smartest canines

Comments

Comments on "Top 10 smartest dogs in the world"

It is sad that you put a poor example of a Doberman Pinscher out there with that picture. This is not a well-bred Doberman. Furthermore, in the United States, responsible breeders who are serious about caretaking this breed and its standards CROP and DOCK their puppies. This is still the standard in the United States. Next time, please use an appropriate picture. This breed has the 'look of eagles', when properly cropped and docked, for which they are world famous. With those flop ears and God-awful sickle tail, they definitely don't have the characteristic look that Dobermans are known for.

German shepards for me have to be the most intelligent dogs. Mine obeys and learns tasks so easily and will never jump up to any strangers German shepards no.1!

All you people talking about docking tails and cropping ears are disgusting "humans". In so many countries around the world this is illegal and for good reason it's cruel and unnecessary . You say you love the breed but then would brutialize it, shame on you all.!!!!!!

And Jane, there CAN be tri-colored Border Collies. Please go on Google and find that for yourself.

I have a Labrador/Border Collie mix and she is absolutely intelligent. I taught her to shake hands in 2 minutes. After watching us open our back door she figured out how to hold the door knob and open it. She figured out how to climb the ladder that leads to our clubhouse on our playset. Obviously, Border Collies were put as the smartest for a reason. I love my Borador x]

The Border Collie pictured is an Australian Shepherd! You can clearly tell that is an Aussie and not a Border Collie. You can tell that is a black tri Aussie. Border Collies aren't tri colored and only bi colored.

Well...now everyone looking for a dog to can run out and buy a border collie because they are labeled the smartest. I've been a dog owner for 40 plus years and have had the majority of these dogs and my opinion is that the Australian Cattle dog rules in the brains section. And I've had two. Here is how you know how smart. Take a blanket and put it over their head. The quicker the attempt to get the blanket off the smarter they are. I've seen this on dog training shows.

At 74 I have had my share of different breads of dogs but my Australian Cattle Dog ( Red Healer ) is by far the best dog I have ever had. It is extremely loyal , obeys every command, and a true partner. Even though she hasn't eaten in 24 hrs, she can start to eat and if I walk by she will quit and follow me all day if I let her. At 15yrs she is going blind so I have to watch protect her but she still is at my side.

What are some of you thinking??? I showed Dobermans for years and the two pictured here are quite nice. The one standing is a male the other female. I have owned many in my life and the two you see here are american bloodlines. The other is german with a much different look. Before making stupid comments know what you are talking about.

Docking dogs tails is cruel. You are a bunch of sick degenerates. I hope someone docks your heads off from your bodies.

I'm sure the Dobe pictured is very sweet and intelligent but if you're going to talk about a Doberman, at least use a picture that LOOKS like a Doberman. This dog does NOT conform to the breed standard and a picture like this is misleading to the public. Use a picture from the DPCA or AKC standard.

The Doberman is not only an incredibly intelligent dog but it is one of the most breath taking when properly presented. This is a cropped and docked breed and to show it anything less than its noble beautiful self is a disservice to our noble breed. Please correct the photo to a proper representative of the breed.

Dear all the people whinging about the doberman not being cropped and docked, please take a moment to consider, that the image shown here is how it is supposed to look? That is how the dog is meant to look, and i think it looks gorgeous. Screw all of you if you think messed about with is the way a dog looks best.

It is disconcerting to see a natural ear and tailed Doberman as a picture representing the breed. The Doberman is a cropped and docked breed and this is the standard put in place since it's development. It is also why most of us who have Dobermans fell in love with them in the first place. Since you are educating the public about their wonderful qualities it is important to not misrepresent what they are supposed to look like. Thank you.

Thank you for recognition of the Doberman Pinscher's intelligence and loyal qualities. Will you please reconsider your choice of picture for the breed? The Doberman Pinscher Club of America will undoubtedly share a picture of a conformationally correct dog with cropped ears and docked tail. We are a crop/dock breed, and using a picture that is anything other than crop/dock is a disservice to the Standard of the Breed. Thank you in advance for your consideration of this correction on your site.

Please use a picture of a Doberman Pinscher that actually conforms to our standard as published by the Doberman Pinscher Club of America and the American Kennel Club. The Doberman is a cropped and docked breed.

Please change picture of Doberman to one that depicts the standard which includes cropped and docked among other things. Thank you.

Please consult the Doberman Pinscher Club of America for a picture that depicts the breed standard for our wonderful breed. The picture you display does not meet the standard, in a variety of ways, and it misrepresents the breed as we know it and love it.

Please change your picture of the Doberman to one that conforms with the standard as described by the Doberman Pinscher Club of America and that is accepted by the American Kennel Club. That would be a Doberman that is cropped and docked and has good conformation. The picture you have used is not an appropriate representation of the breed.