Find out if your dog made the list for the top 10 smartest dog breeds:
10. Australian Cattle Dog: Australian Cattle Dog’s were bred to herd cattle and guard property in Australia. This breed is very intelligent and has become a popular family dog. These dogs need constant exercise that stimulates them both mentally and physically to keep them content and prevent them from getting bored. Most Australian Cattle Dog owners swear that their dogs put their toys away when they are done playing with them!
9. Rottweiler: The Rottweiler is extremely intelligent and fearless, which makes it one of the best guard dogs. Rottweilers are eager to learn and please their owners. These dogs typically work in personal protection, guarding property, police work and they are commonly seen in movies as well. Rottweilers were used extensively in World War I and World War II for tasks such as messengers, ambulance help and guarding both property and soldiers.
8. Papillon: The Papillon is definitely not the first dog that comes to mind when thinking about the smartest breeds. This breed is very easy to train and is a lot tougher than it looks. These dogs are extremely well behaved if trained properly and many take to litter training quite easily.
7. Labrador Retriever: The Labrador Retriever is a breed you can teach to do almost anything. This breed is extremely loving and devoted to their owners and if you have food in your hand, Labs will pretty much do whatever you ask of them. Labrador Retrievers work with police, search and rescue, hunting, tracking, guiding the blind, working with the disabled and therapy work. These are very energetic dogs that love swimming and being around their owners. It is said that Labrador Retrievers self train themselves by copying human actions and have saved many lives in emergency situations.
6. Doberman Pinscher: Doberman Pinschers are the ultimate guard dog. Like the Rottweiler, this breed is willing to learn and please their owners. Doberman Pinschers have incredible stamina and love to have a job to do. You will see this breed working with police, guarding property, personal protection and even therapy work. These dogs can be trained to be very dominant protective dogs or a gentler dog working with disabled children.
5. Shetland Sheepdog: This medium sized breed is extremely intelligent and an excellent herding and guard dog. These dogs pick up on commands very easily and are quite determined, never letting up when they have a job to do. They also make wonderful family dogs and if raised with children, get along with them nicely.
4. Poodle: The Poodle is considered one of the easiest breeds to train. They love people and often find themselves as the center of attention. These dogs have commonly been seen in the Circus where they are taught to do all kinds of fun tricks! Poodles have also been used in guarding, hunting and retrieving. However, if left alone for too long Poodles have been known to find ways to entertain themselves which usually means getting into trouble.
3. Golden Retriever: The Golden Retriever is much like the Lab and is a very loving obedient dog. These dogs are commonly trained and used for search and rescue, therapy work, guiding the blind, helping the disabled, tracking, hunting and illegal drug detection. Golden Retrievers have been known to understand over 200 commands which make them perfect dogs for helping out owners who may not be physically able to do things on their own.
2. German Shepherd: The German Shepherd is the ultimate dog that is was originally breed for intelligence. They are able to learn new tasks very quickly and are quite agile for large sized dogs. This breed is extremely smart and has been used for every dog job out there. They work mainly in police work, search and rescue and military, but at the same time they are a sweet enough breed to work in therapy, helping the blind and disabled and being a companion to children. These dogs are the happiest when they have a job or task to do, and are always alert waiting for their owner’s next command.
1. Border Collie: The Border Collie is considered to be the most intelligent dog breed. This breed excels at agility, obedience and sheepdog trials. Border Collies have been known to develop extremely close relationships with their owners and end up creating a very special bond. This breed has to be both mentally and physically worked or they will become extremely destructive and dangerous to themselves. Border Collies who are not properly worked can drive themselves crazy and in some situations anxiety medication may be needed. If you are considering owning a Border Collie make sure that you will be able to devote numerous hours during the day to playing with your dog and have a lifestyle where they will not be left alone for long periods at a time.
