According to The intellect of Dogs, which rates 131 dog breeds by intellect, the border collie is the smartest. Need proof? An intelligent South Carolina border collie named Chaser could recognize over 1,000 words. It's more than "book smart.
One of several attractive French dog breeds, the poodle is high-maintenance. (That curly hair won't style itself.) Don't assume that makes them less smart. The breed excels emotionally and cognitively.
Coren ranks German shepherds as the second most intelligent herding dogs and the third most intelligent overall. The breed was selected for its intelligence (the AKC reports that they can learn a new command on the first try), attention,
Canine intelligence goes beyond brainpower. Golden retrievers are fourth because they “comply with commands or tasks asked of them by their owners,” according to Cline.
The American bulldog, a long-legged relative of the English bulldog, is sloppy and lively. They joined butchers and farmers in the American colonies in the 17th century.
The American bulldog, a long-legged relative of the English bulldog, is sloppy and lively. They joined butchers and farmers in the American colonies in the 17th century.
Shetlands are little herding dogs that can accomplish everything a larger one can but eat less. So they were bred as the “collie’s little cousin.” The UK's Shetland Islands farmers used them to herd more than sheep. Some shelties herded ponies and poultry.
A descendent of the St. John Dog and a relative of the Newfoundland, the Labrador retriever was developed by 16th-century Newfoundlanders. English lords brought the “Labrador dog” back from Canada in the 19th century, giving the breed its name.
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