Re: What breed of dogs is the smartest, when trained

Dear Michael:

According to The Intelligence of Dogs by Stanley Coren, the top 10 dogs for obedience and working intelligence are as follows:

1.  Border Collie
2.  Poodle
3.  German Shepherd
4.  Golden Retriever
5.  Doberman
6.  Shetland Sheepdog
7.  Labrador Retriever
8.  Papillon
9.  Rottweiler
10. Australian Cattle Dog

Different breeds of dogs serve different purposes. Some breeds are for herding cattle, others for guarding the house, others for hunting and some strictly for pets. It is important to know what aspects you want to compare when you rate intelligence. The above table rates working and obedience intelligence. If you were to rate hunting behavior/intelligence, the list would be different.

Also note that the most intelligent dog is not always the best pet. Smart dogs can become easily bored and require a lot of stimulation. Without outlets for their intelligence, they can start looking for ways to express themselves and even display distructive or aggressive behaviors.

For more information on dogs and all animals see The Electronic Zoo.