Smartest Dog Breeds

Does the Intelligence Quotient of your dog decide its smartness? It is accepted worldwide that human IQ cannot be tested based only on a single trait and the same is true for dogs. A dog's IQ cannot be tested based on a single trait. Every breed of canine is unique and has some specific qualities which distinguish it from other breeds. Hence, a set of tests are designed to measure the smartness of dogs.

A dog's reactions can be used as a criterion for measuring its smartness. When two different breeds of dogs are exposed to the same kind of situation, they react differently. A book written by Stanley Coren, "The Intelligence of Dogs", enlists the 3 kinds of intelligence exhibited by dogs namely, adaptive intelligence - how fast and how efficiently a certain problem is solved, instinctive intelligence - if all the known characteristics and traits of the breed are displayed and obedience intelligence - how frequently and how well the commands are executed. Stanley Coren, of the University of British Columbia, in Vancouver, Canada, came to the conclusion by taking into account, the votes of around 200 judges who judged dogs on obedience as well as physical and mental ability.

Ahead of all was the Border Collie followed by the Poodle and German Shepherd, securing 2nd and 3rd places respectively. The top five list featured the following canines in the ascending order of their smartness:

Border Collie: They are medium-sized, hyperactive dogs that do not like to compromise their freedom hence, cannot be kept chained for long. They are competitive and excel when tested for obedience, physical ability and nimbleness. They are over-protective, since they are reared to maintain herd discipline. If denied proper attention by the owner, they are likely to become destructive. Border Collies are a 'trainer's delight' as they can be trained very easily compared to other breeds. They have to be exercised regularly to maintain their mental and physical strength.

Poodle: They are slender animals that mainly fall under the 'show-dog' category. They make playful companions for kids. Their fur can be styled differently, which adds further to their glamor. They rank second to the Border Collies when it comes to obedience, agility and game-playing. In order to maintain their well-being, their ears have to be cleaned frequently and their fur has to be brushed many times in a week.

German Shepherd: Also known as Alsatians, they are extremely useful in the military and police forces. They have an acute sense of smell which makes them excellent watchdogs. They are aggressive hence, have to be tamed by rigorous training. Though they can be bathed only once or twice a year, they have to be brushed every day to maintain their health.

Golden Retriever: They are a cuddle-some breed which makes them an ideal choice as pets for kids. They have a shiny fur coat that has to be cleaned using high quality shampoo. They may appear as a calm and gentle breed but shockingly enough, they make very efficient hunter dogs. They are great at fetching games and have a tendency of tugging at objects with their mouth. This is why they are called 'retrievers'.

Doberman Pinscher: They are a watchful breed. If not trained well, they tend to become hostile. They are extremely loyal to their owner, hence called 'single master dogs'. They expect to be treated with dignity. Though they appear extremely tough, they are prone to many skin diseases. This is why, they need acute health care from the owner. Their tails are docked and ears are cut at an early age by their breeder.

Next in the list were Shetland Sheepdog, Labrador Retriever, Papillon, Rottweiler, Australian Cattle Dog and Welsh Corgi, all of whom could retain new commands in less than 5 repetitions and obeyed their master more than 95% times. And the last ten were Shih Tzu, Basset Hound, Mastiff, Beagle, Pekingese, Bloodhound, Borzoi, Chow Chow, Bulldog, Basenji and at the very bottom, the Afghan Hound.

Over the years, many different breeds of canines that have evolved, possess the temperaments of their ancestors. Proper care helps sharpen their instincts to a great extent. Who knows, in the next few years, this list may change to include some new smarter dog breeds.