Which dog breeds are ranked the smartest?
Everyone claims to have the smartest dog. Are there actually breeds that truly are smarter though? Is it possible for a dog owner to claim their dog breed is the smartest, and it be true? The answer is yes. The flip side to that answer is that there is no set list of the smartest breeds. Inevitably, there will be someone who can demonstrate why a particular breed should be added to the list. However, several breeds have been accepted as being highly intelligent. So, if you are looking for a smart dog, research some of the following breeds. Many of the smartest breeds can be found in the herding group of dog breeds, because of the abilities required of a dog in herding.
Border collies are almost always ranked in the top three of most intelligent, often in the first position. They excel in anything requiring speed and quick thinking, including agility, flyball, frisbee, and the thing border collies are most known for: herding. They do so well in herding because of their ability to make quick decisions and to pick up on commands and calls quickly. They are a highly active breed, requiring something to do to use that intelligence. Without a "job" of some kind, whether it be herding on a farm, agility at a local dog center, or just playing frisbee in the backyard, a border collie will find something to do on its own, and it is usually something you do not want.
German shepherds are also a very smart breed. They are in the herding group, but are more often found serving as police dogs or search dogs, guardian dogs, service dogs, or family pets. They are intelligent and powerful dogs, fearless and confident, and require the proper training to use that temperament to its best advantage.
Another dog used for police work and service dogs is the Labrador retriever. More Labrador retrievers are registered with the American Kennel Club each year than any other breed. They are one of the most popular family pets because of their easy going nature and easy trainability. They are not from the herding group, but the sporting group, and excel at being family pets, hunting dogs, service dogs, and police canines.
Shetland sheepdogs are ranked in the top list of smartest breeds, as well. They are eager to please, and very much a "people" dog, loving spending time with their owners. They make great apartment dogs, and excel in as many areas as the other intelligent breeds, including agility, flyball, herding, and they are fantastic at catching that tennis ball you just threw for the fifteenth time.
There are many more breeds that rank high in intelligence including the golden retriever and Australian cattle dog . Be sure to do research on any breed you think about adding to your family before doing so. Even the smartest dogs can cause chaos in the wrong situations, and without proper training and something to do, all of those "smarts" allow the dog to come up with more ways to get in trouble. Smart dogs are a joy to have, and most certainly keep you guessing as to which of you is actually the smarter species. That is half the fun of owning an intelligent dog though, because no matter which breed you choose, you will constantly be amazed at just how smart they really are.
