While we would all like to think we have the smartest dog in the world there are some breeds that are generally more intelligent than others. In this newsletter we will look at the dogs ranking from 6th most intelligent to tenth.
And then in the next newsletter we will look at the most intelligent dogs in the world. Don’t be too concerned if your dog doesn’t appear in either of these lists, as sometimes it is not always an advantage to have an intelligent dog.
As expected, the more intelligent dogs generally need more stimulation or they will get bored and this can cause problems, particularly if they are left at home during the day when you’re at work. So lets start with the tenth most intelligent dog…
Tenth on the list is the Australian Cattle Dog. The Australian Cattle Dog was originally bred for herding cattle, just as their name suggests. Obviously to be tenth on the list they are very intelligent, but they need to be stimulated, as one would expect from an intelligent dog. They are happy when they are working, as they need regular exercise and mental stimulation.
Ninth on the list is the Rottweiler. Contrary to popular belief, the Rottweiler is actually a great family dog, and is not quite as fearsome as many people believe. There are a highly intelligent dogs and respond well to training.
The eighth dog on the list of intelligence is the Papillon. Like the Australian cattle dog the Papillon is very protective of its owner and makes a lovable and intelligent pet. And as with most intelligent dogs they are relatively easy to train.
Number seven on the list is the Labrador Retriever. These are one of the most popular family dogs because of their good nature, which allows them to socialize well with other dogs and more importantly, children. Like the previous dogs on the list, Labradors need exercise, and particularly in their case, without exercise they tend to gain excessive weight.
Number six on our list of intelligent dogs is the Shetland sheepdog. Like the Australian Cattle Dog the Shetland sheepdog was bred for herding cattle and sheep. Obviously to do this well they need some intelligence and that is why they have ended at number six on our list. They’re not quite as good at socializing with other people or children but are excellent pets in their own family.
Please note: This article is part of a collection of dog-related content that we purchased the rights to. Opinions expressed may or may not agree with those espoused by Master Dog Trainer Adam G. Katz. When in doubt, please refer to the advice given in Adam’s dog training book. This article is provided for your enjoyment, only. It’s relevance to real world working dog training may be limited.