Vetstreet's list of the world's smartest dog breeds, based on a survey of 122 veterinary scientists, came as no surprise. The Border Collie, German Shepherd, Poodle, Australian Shepherd and Golden Retriever are among the most intelligent dogs. We've compiled the pros and cons of each of the aforementioned breeds to help you decide if they're right for you.
Border Collie
Although it tops the list of the smartest dog breeds, it still can't be taught absolutely everything. The Chaser, the world-famous Border Collie dog, learned and understood about 1,000 English words, and also responded to commands. They are very energetic dogs, amazingly focused and attentive, which is very useful for certain tasks, such as rounding up sheep in a flock. But they need to be brought up from puppyhood, otherwise there will be problems later on. "From a young age, the Border Collie must be trained for obedience with special attention to socialization," according to the American Kennel Club (AKC). Familiarity of a young border collie with different people, animals and situations will help him to become a confident, calm and resolute dog in adulthood. Like most intelligent breeds, the Border Collie is very active and needs constant and daily exercise to keep him calm and happy.
German Shepherd
It's no secret that the German Shepherd is the most common dog breed for the police or army. Not only are members of this breed quick to learn, they are also fearless, quick to adapt and have an innate instinct to protect loved ones. The German Shepherd is an excellent guardian. On the other hand, they have a loving and loyal character, so they fit in very well with the family. The German Shepherd is superior to other dogs in any sport. Due to their predisposition to learn, obedience training is as easy as a flash, but these energetic dogs can get bored quickly and they require about 40 minutes a day of exercise.
Poodle
Poodles love to learn and have a sense of humour, making them one of the funniest dog breeds in the world. Poodles are easy to train, but they are inherently stubborn, so you must be patient and persistent. Their cheerful disposition is accompanied by boundless energy, which needs to be burned off with exercise. Poodles can quickly become bored if they are neglected or left alone for too long without exercise. It is important to note that poodles come in three sizes: standard, miniature and dwarf, but all are very intelligent. The pygmy poodle was bred as an ornamental breed, so it does not need much exercise, unlike larger dogs. Despite this, the Pygmy Poodle needs a lot of attention and play to prevent destructive behaviour.
Australian Shepherd Dog
This is a loving and loyal breed of dog who excels at any task. The Australian Shepherd has a very well developed pack instinct, so the dog may try to gather your children, other pets and even street cats together. These dogs are a lot of fun and they need a steady, firm but loving hand to behave well, so you'll need to invest lots of time and energy into helping them expend their boundless energy. Training from a young age will ensure your dog has a happy life as well as the exercise he needs.
Golden Retriever
According to the AKC, this is one of the most popular dog breeds in America. The Golden Retriever is an all-round dog that not only makes an excellent pet, but it can also be used for human services such as search and rescue, or helping someone with a disability. The only thing this breed cannot excel at is being a guard dog. This is an impossible task for them, as Golden Retrievers are very friendly. This breed is very gentle and quiet, able to please and loves to learn. Like other smart dog breeds, Golden Retrievers are very active, full of energy and can get bored quickly. You can help him expend his energy by taking him for a hike, a swim or a very long game of 'fetch'. Golden Retrievers also love playing puzzles, so it's worth stocking up on different kinds, especially if you're going to leave your dog home alone for long periods.
All smart dog breeds have one thing in common, namely boundless energy and a tendency to be bored leading to disruptive or annoying behaviour. Smart dogs need a calm, active owner who is happy to give them plenty of time for daily play
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