Dr. Stanley Coren is a professor at the University of British Columbia. Dr. Coren produced a book in the 1990s about the different levels of intelligence in different breeds of dogs. He observed 132 different breeds of dog with their trainers and based his findings on “understanding of new commands” and “obey first command.” Here is a quick glance into Dr. Stanley Coren’s top 10 smartest dogs.
The Australian Cattle Dog is called by many names: the Queensland Heeler, the Blue Heeler and also the Red Heeler. It was originally bred to be a herding dog for cattle in the continent of Australia.
The Australian Cattle Dog is known to have a high level of energy. Owners of this breed need to provide daily exercise and even give them a “job” to do. It is common for non-working dogs to be involved in learning new tricks or participating in dog sports, or doing agility training. Like many dogs, if they do not receive the proper amount of attention – they will become destructive.
The Australian Cattle Dog is ranked 10th on the list of the most intelligent breeds of dog.
9. Rottweiler
Coming in at 9th place on the list of most intelligent breeds of dog is the Rottweiler. The Rottweiler was bred in Germany to be a war dog and a herding dog. They were utilized for carrying products to local markets, war time guard dogs and currently they are used as guard and police dogs.
Unfortunately for the Rottweiler, the breed has received a lot of negative publicity. It is the second breed responsible for deadly and fatal attacks on humans. Contrary to popular belief, the Rottweiler is taught this dangerous behavior by their owners and therefore they are often portrayed as negative, evil, or dangerous. They are generally not recommended for inexperienced dog owners.
8. Papillon
French for “butterfly,” the Papillon is known for its ears which are “large
The Papillon is also the “small dog star” in dog agility. They are extremely agile for their small stature and they’re equipped with great speed and an extremely tiny turning radius, making them a true competitor in the ring.
Ranking at number 7, the Labrador (or Lab, for short) is considered to be “a type of gun dog.” It is the most popular dog in the world (numbers based on owner registration,) and it is also the most popular choice for assistance dogs in Australia, the USA, and several other countries. They are also widely used as police dogs.
They are known for their gentle, overall good nature, their intelligence and their compatibility with people of any age. They are especially good with children, due to their extremely high level of tolerance and patience. They are not a breed associated with destruction, aggressive tendencies, or being territorial. They are considered to be an excellent family dog.
The small Shetland Sheepdog, or Sheltie is considered to be one of the more loyal breeds of dog. They are fantastic companions to anyone, especially when raised properly. They are intelligent, easily trained, willing to please and incredibly lively. They are extremely affectionate to their family.
They are also known for being vocal herding dogs, however it is fairly easy to train your Sheltie to cut down on the barking. The Sheltie is an amazing watchdog.
Intelligent, loving, loyal and gentle dogs – the Doberman Pinscher is extremely playful and fairly unaggressive. In the past, the Doberman was used for guard dog and protection purposes. They are very commonly used for police or military work. There is even a memorial in Guam in honor of the 25 Marine War Dogs that died in 1944 at the Battle of Guam.
The Doberman, much like the Rottweiler; has an unearned reputation of sometimes being a vicious dog. However, you are in less danger of attack by a Doberman than you are of many other breeds. It is still possible – but unlikely, unless the dog was raised improperly.
The Golden Retriever was originally developed to retrieve game that was shot down during hunting seasons. Their intelligence level allows them to be active in several different roles – including search and rescue operations, illegal drug detection, hunting dogs, guide dogs, and many, many more.
They exhibit an eager-to-please personality and they have great amounts of patience. They are also ranked among the most popular of family dogs (by owner registration) in the entire world. The standard of their temperament is described as “Kindly, friendly and confident.” Unfortunately, they are extremely trusting – which makes them a poor guard dog. It is uncommon for the breed to display hostility, aggressiveness or timid behaviors – which are all considered faults by the upbringing of the animal and not the breed itself.
Originating from Germany, the German Shepherd is a fairly new breed of dog. They are employed in police and military forces around the world due to their high level of obedience, their strength, and their higher intelligence. They are extremely active and described as “self-assured” by the breed standard.
The German Shepherd is noted for their “willingness to learn, and an eagerness to have a purpose.” They are extremely loyal, but can become over-protective of family members. They are often misunderstood as aggressive breeds, but again this is generally due to a poor upbringing and common misunderstanding of the dog breed itself.
2. Poodle
The Poodle is the ranked as the second most intelligent dog by Dr. Stanley Coren’s studies. The poodle can be found in any size range – from toy, to very large sizes; as well as several different colors. They are fantastic dogs for agility, obedience, occasionally herding and tracking. They are known for being alert, active and extremely intelligent.
The Poodle has also been performing for circuses for centuries in countries around the world. They are considered to be excellent watchdogs – and they bond well with families. Daily exercise is a must for the Poodle, as well as plenty of playtime and exercise. They are also considered to be one of the more easy dogs to potty-train.
Ranked number one in the Top 10 List of Most Intelligent Dogs is the famed Border Collie. Originating from the UK, they were most commonly used as herd dogs due their high levels of energy. They are a common sight on farms across the world. The Border Collie exhibits a desire to be close with their human handler and they work very hard.
The Border Collie needs a great deal of exercise and playtime. However, they are not necessarily a pet recommended for any households. It is also sometimes not recommended that Border Collies live with other pets, such as cats – as they tend to display their herding habits quickly, which may cause issues with the other animals. They are also known to chase cars, squirrels, bicycles or even try to herd the children.
And that is Dr. Stanley Coren’s list of the Top 10 Smartest Breeds.
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WikiPedia; “The Intelligence Of Dogs” – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Intelligence_of_Dogs_(book)#Brightest_Dogs
WikiPedia; “Australian Cattle Dog” – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_Cattle_Dog
WikiPedia; “Rottweiler” – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rottweiler
WikiPedia; “Papillon” – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Papillon_(dog)
WikiPedia; “Labrador Retriever” – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Labrador_Retriever
WikiPedia; “Shetland Sheepdog” – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shetland_Sheepdog
WikiPedia; “Doberman Pinscher” – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doberman_Pinscher
WikiPedia; “Golden Retriever” – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_Retriever
WikiPedia; “German Shepherd” – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/German_Shepherd
WikiPedia; “Poodle” – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poodle
WikiPedia; “Border Collie” – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Border_Collie
