Do you know what dog breed is the samartest?
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The problem solving abilities of Siberian HUskies have always amazed me. I''ve gotten a few problem solving tests off the internet and ran them past OC and he''s figured them out so fast! Sibes may not be the easiest to train but that''s the way they''re supposed to be. They''re supposed to be independent so if the leader feels that a command the musher gave could put the team in danger, they will not obey it.
I forget exactly how the saying goes but there''s a one that says something along the lines of "My dog's not dumb, he's just too smart to lower himself enough to follow a human's orders"
I forget exactly how the saying goes but there''s a one that says something along the lines of "My dog's not dumb, he's just too smart to lower himself enough to follow a human's orders"
I had heard that poodles were the smartest.
I'd have to say that it doesn't matter what breed. Some breeds may learn faster or with easier methods, but that doesn't make them smarter IMO.
Oh wait! Dobes and Rotts are in the top 10. *clears throat* I change my stance. I own a rott/dobe mix and she is extremely intelligent. I agree that there are some breeds that are "smarter" than others..
AH HA! Of course not... I think it has more to do with an animals personality than their breed. Of course their personality is somewhat affected by their breed, BC's are hyper and energetic, but I don't think that "breed" is the bottom line when it comes to intelligence.
I'd have to say that it doesn't matter what breed. Some breeds may learn faster or with easier methods, but that doesn't make them smarter IMO.
Oh wait! Dobes and Rotts are in the top 10. *clears throat* I change my stance. I own a rott/dobe mix and she is extremely intelligent. I agree that there are some breeds that are "smarter" than others..
AH HA! Of course not... I think it has more to do with an animals personality than their breed. Of course their personality is somewhat affected by their breed, BC's are hyper and energetic, but I don't think that "breed" is the bottom line when it comes to intelligence.
dr2little said:
While there are some breeds who do seem to stand out time and time again in class, no dog will reach hes/her potential without a capable owner/trainer. In my last class, a Bishon/Shihtzu named Dudley was absolutely amazing, of course his 13 year old owner was equally so!
Thats interesting because shih tzu's ranked very low on the list (not trainable due to stubborn nature I guess
)I do think it depends on the dog, but there are some breeds more stuff that others. I have heard it was poddles as well.
I have to, have to say Border Collies. Gonzo is ridiculously smart - not just in learning tricks, which takes a few reps and he has it down forever - but in problem-solving, intuition, memory, and intelligence in general. Since BC's are bred to be able to work a large flock of sheep even when the handler is out of range and cannot instruct them, to me they are not a well-bred BC if they don't have amazing smarts.
I will also admit that in Obedience class, Gonzo won all of the fun matches, against 30+ dogs.... and the 3 other BC's placed right in line. I felt bad, because everyone would shrug and be like, "Leave it to a Border Collie!" if only people knew how hard it is to live with a smart dog sometimes, though! I've met equally intelligent Chihuahua's, Poms, Saint Bernards, Shiba Inus, & Huskies who are all ranked lower. It definitely does depend heavily on the owner & dog, but some breeds (especially herding breeds) are just bred to want to please and to learn very quickly, so of course they have the benefit of decades of breeding.
I will also admit that in Obedience class, Gonzo won all of the fun matches, against 30+ dogs.... and the 3 other BC's placed right in line. I felt bad, because everyone would shrug and be like, "Leave it to a Border Collie!" if only people knew how hard it is to live with a smart dog sometimes, though! I've met equally intelligent Chihuahua's, Poms, Saint Bernards, Shiba Inus, & Huskies who are all ranked lower. It definitely does depend heavily on the owner & dog, but some breeds (especially herding breeds) are just bred to want to please and to learn very quickly, so of course they have the benefit of decades of breeding.
I think most if not all of the herding breeds are the smartest. But I must say after growing up with GSD's and the occassional bully breed (which aren't to bright) The ACD's are considered one of the smartest as well as the border collie and GSD. Pugs & bulldogs are not the brightest bulbs on the tree. Irish setters and some of the bird dogs aren't up on the Einstein list of breeds either. Poodles which ever size are all very smart. I mean lets face it there are lots of smart breeds of dogs but there are lots of dumb ones as well Just my 2 cents!
Just my 2 cents! 
Dizzy said:
EASY!
The Bodhilicious variety
The Bodhilicious variety
You know, I have to think that a lot depends on how much mental interaction a dog gets with its owner. A dog whose owner spends a great deal of time with their dog(s) and who communicates verbally AND non-verbally with their dog(s) is probably going to have a dog with a better developed intelligence than the dogs who are just left to their own devices or treated like they are of lesser intelligence.
At least that explains Bodhi, Gustav and Sunny, to name just a few
What defines smart?
I agree very much here especially in light of some recent observations of my 14 week old Fila. A few days ago my elder Fila gave chase to a possum in the yard and Lennox the baby joined in but broke away suddenly and unexpectedly at a critical moment as they ran around the garage. What I then saw stunned me, he ran around the other side of the garage to head off the possum in a pincer kind of attack which proved successful. Now, was that intelligence or the above stated drive and instinct? I would go with instinct 100%. Similarly I have found Filas to be very easily trainable but I do not interpret this as intelligence as I have found the English Bull terrier to be very difficult to train in comparison and I do most certainly think that the EBT is far from being stupid.
On another level consistency in training an English Setter I have found to be more important that with any other breed that I have experience of. Maybe this is a sign of a superior intelligence as slight differences get different levels of success or "obedience".
A fascinating topic but I am clearly of the belief that it is a case of "horses for courses".
I agree very much here especially in light of some recent observations of my 14 week old Fila. A few days ago my elder Fila gave chase to a possum in the yard and Lennox the baby joined in but broke away suddenly and unexpectedly at a critical moment as they ran around the garage. What I then saw stunned me, he ran around the other side of the garage to head off the possum in a pincer kind of attack which proved successful. Now, was that intelligence or the above stated drive and instinct? I would go with instinct 100%. Similarly I have found Filas to be very easily trainable but I do not interpret this as intelligence as I have found the English Bull terrier to be very difficult to train in comparison and I do most certainly think that the EBT is far from being stupid.
On another level consistency in training an English Setter I have found to be more important that with any other breed that I have experience of. Maybe this is a sign of a superior intelligence as slight differences get different levels of success or "obedience".
A fascinating topic but I am clearly of the belief that it is a case of "horses for courses".
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I've posted this a year or so ago .... We had a fun test on this at our Golden Club meeting .... Bubba fluncked...Why ??? Blanket test : put a blanket over your dog and time how long it takes to remove.... Bubba : O.K. Mom you covered me... I'll come out when you're ready to take it off. Food under can test : Fluncked...sure I know there's food under there... tell me when I can go for it ! 8 tests .... all over time. I couldn't speak or give signals ... Now, was he smart or dumb ?? He knew what to do, but was smart enough to wait for an O.K.