In addition to being great companions, dogs are also animals capable of learning complex commands and adapting to complicated situations, which demonstrates a form of developed intelligence.
As most people will prefer to choose their dog breed based on their intelligence, here are the top 10 smartest dog breeds, from last to first.
10. Australian Cattle Dog
As its name suggests, this breed is of Australian origin. Mainly used for herding, these dogs excel in this field.
They are the offspring of crosses between dingoes (a breed of wild dogs) and herding dogs of English origin. This resulted in a dog with a faithful but also hyperactive character, who needs to be constantly on the alert with a very present master.
Physically, this dog has a speckled blue or red coat, it measures 40 to 53cm at the withers for a weight of about 15kg.
9. The Rottweiler
The Rottweiler is a dog whose reputation is unfortunately due to its misuse, especially as a fighting dog, so much so that it is now classified as a category 2 dog.
In reality, this dog is absolutely not aggressive in nature, despite its imposing physique. On the contrary, he is very loyal and protective, especially with the children he adores, which makes him an excellent watchdog, sometimes suspicious of strangers. It will simply be necessary to educate him well to prevent his protective nature from taking over.
The Rottweiler also has a very good nose, so it is often used as a search dog or territory guard.
This breed is very impressive physically, since it has a black and tan coat, measures between 55 and 70cm at the withers for a weight of about fifty kilos, in other words it is a beautiful beast.
8. Continental Toy Spaniel
This small dog from southern Europe is also called “butterfly spaniel” because of its long drooping ears, which are reminiscent of butterfly wings.
It is said that small dogs are often less intelligent than large ones, but this is not the case with this one, since he has an extraordinary capacity for learning. Indeed, he is able to learn all kinds of tricks, as long as they are taught to him by positive education, because with his small size, the spaniel butterfly can be very fearful at the slightest sign of aggression. .
This breed of dog is also used as a therapy dog, it would reassure patients in addiction treatment centers (among others), and would keep the elderly company perfectly well.
Physically, the Papillon Spaniel is far from being a predator, since it measures only 28cm at the withers on average, for a weight ranging from 1.5 to 5kg for the largest males. Its color is predominantly white, dotted with spots whose color can be very variable.
7. The Labrador retriever
The Labrador retriever has seen its popularity grow for years, and it is not without reason. Indeed, this dog is initially a perfect family dog, with its playful, faithful and happy character. Be careful though, the Labrador may not be aware of its size and strength as an adult, which sometimes leads to small accidents when playing with children.
In addition to this, the Labrador Retriever has a very great capacity for learning, so much so that it is very often used as an assistance dog for the disabled, visually impaired or hearing impaired.
The physique of this brave animal is well known: a coat of very variable color, which can go from white to black, passing through beige or chocolate. It measures between 53 and 60cm at the withers for about thirty kilos.
6. The Shetland Sheepdog
Originally, as its name suggests, from the Shetland Islands in Scotland, the Shetland Sheepdog is a dog that was mainly used as a sheepdog, a task which it performed perfectly.
Today, this dog adapts very well to family life, since it is a faithful and very gentle dog with children, although suspicious of strangers. His herding instincts, however, require his intelligence to be solicited daily through physical activities, and this is very good, since he is able to learn a multitude of tricks.
Physically, the Shetland Sheepdog has long, bicolor hair with varying colors (black and white, black and tan and many others). It measures on average 36cm at the withers for an average of 8kg.
5. The Dobermann
Like the Rottweiler, the Dobermann is a victim of its bad reputation, dating back to the Second World War when the German forces used it as a war dog because it was the only breed not afraid of the fire of launchers. flames.
However, even if it is not a breed of dog that we would recommend to a beginner, the Dobermann can be a formidable dog, very loyal, protective and close to his masters, in addition to being an excellent guard dog. .
It will however be necessary to be vigilant during his education, and above all not to use violence against him (which should be a normality, but it is always good to specify it), otherwise he himself risks becoming suspicious. He will also need sports masters to exert himself and flourish on a daily basis.
Even today, this breed of dog is used in the police or in the army, as a guard dog or to protect the territory.
The physique of the dobermann will impress more than one with its predatory looks, it is high on its legs (between 60 and 75cm) and very thin (an average of 40kg). His dress is similar to that of the Rottweiler, namely black and tan.
4. The golden retriever
The Golden Retriever is a dog of British origin that was originally used for hunting as a supply dog.
Since the 1990s, this dog has been extremely popular in families, since it is very gentle with children, in addition to being very playful and intelligent. Its great intelligence also makes it the most used dog as a guide dog for the blind, even before the Labrador.
Physically, the golden retriever resembles the labrador (they are therefore often confused), with the difference that his hair is long.
Its coat is creamy-white to dark gold (hence its name), and it measures 50 to 56cm at the withers for a weight of about 30kg.
3. The German Shepherd
As its name suggests, the German Shepherd is a dog that originated in Germany. He is the best known of the police dogs, due to his versatility and his intelligence which allow him to learn new orders quickly.
Thus, it is used as a guard dog, research or even assistance to people with disabilities. He can also adapt very well within a family, since he is very gentle with children and very loyal to his master. Be careful though, this dog does not like boredom, so it will be necessary to stimulate it regularly so that it can flourish.
The German Shepherd has the physique of a wolf, apart from his black coat with brown spots. It measures 55 to 65cm at the withers for a weight ranging from 20 to 40kg.
2. The poodle
Formerly a hunting dog for water animals such as ducks, the poodle is now known to be a dog capable of learning all kinds of complicated tricks. He excels in particular in circus numbers, during which he can make great performances.
The poodle is also a very good dog to live with the family, but it will however need a lot of attention, since it is extremely close to its master, so much so that it can sometimes be depressed during too frequent absences or too prolonged.
The physique of the poodle is famous, its hair is curly or curly and of very variable color. It measures between 35 and 40cm at the withers for about ten kilos (we are talking here about the average poodle).
1. The border collie
Considered everywhere to be the smartest dog in the world, the border collie is known for being able to perform very complex tricks in record time. He is also the star of agility competitions, finishing first in the vast majority of competitions.
At home, he is a dog that will have to be stimulated and occupied very often to be truly fulfilled, since he cannot stand boredom, a trait that certainly comes from his origins as a herding dog.
The border collie has long black and white hair, measures about 50cm at the withers for a weight ranging from 15 to 25kg.
