Top 10 smartest dog breeds

Dogs are able to understand 250 words and gestures, count to five, and perform simple mathematical operations. Canadian scientists have compiled a rating in which they compared the ten most intelligent dog breeds. For many dog ​​breeders, this rating may raise doubts, because we all love our dogs so much. But it is worth considering that the people who compiled it were guided by many tests and assessments, and besides, they were devoid of subjectivity. If you still disagree with something, or want to talk about your pet, please write in the comments and participate in the discussion.

Canadian scientists from the University of British Columbia in Vancouver conducted a study of the mental abilities of dogs and ranked Top 10 smartest breeds. According to the results of the study, the IQ of the average dog corresponds to that of a two-year-old child. Both those and others know about 165 words (especially smart dogs - 250), and also know how to distinguish between signals and gestures. The research also shows that in the field of arithmetic and social skills, dogs are much more successful than in linguistics - here their intelligence is comparable to that of 4-year-old children.

Among other dog skills, scientists call the ability to add and subtract numbers from 1 to 5, navigate the terrain, control simple mechanisms, and experience joy, anger and disgust. At the same time, more complex emotions, such as guilt, are not available to dogs. Canadian researchers ranked smart dog breeds based on their intellectual abilities:

No. 1 Border Collie, a breed of herding dog.

The ancestors of the Border Collie worked in the pastures of southern Scotland and the border counties of England. The breed was bred in the late 19th and early 20th century as a new line of Scottish Collies. When creating the breed, a wide variety of shepherd dogs were used. As a result of directional selection, an excellent hardy working dog was obtained, distinguished by swift movements and sharpness of mind. Distributed in countries with developed sheep breeding. The standard was adopted by the English Kennel Club in 1976. Border collies are receptive to training, after special training they can work as guides to the blind.

The Border Collie is a harmoniously built, medium-sized dog (height at the withers of a male is 53 cm, females are slightly smaller, weight 14–20 kg) with strong bones and strong muscles.

The border collie is a smart, loyal, unpretentious dog, not only a first-class shepherd and watchman, but also a faithful companion, it rightfully takes its place in the top ten most intelligent dog breeds.

#2 Poodles.

Are you surprised? In fact, poodles are very smart dogs, and are capable of more than just jumping around in the circus, showing tricks. Previously, poodles served as both rescuers and observers. They swim well and are able to save a drowning person. Of course, there are a lot of poodles - there are big poodles, there are small ones. There are even hunting poodles that hunt birds together with their owners. So the poodle in the top ten most intelligent dog breeds is not an accidental guest.

The larger members of this breed can be good protectors, so don't take them lightly.

No. 3. German Shepherd (GERMAN SHEPHERD)

There are several different theories about the origin of the German Shepherd: that the breed was created by crossing different German breeds, or that the breed evolved spontaneously from a cross between shepherds and wolves. The truth was lost in the darkness of centuries. However, it is known that already in the 7th century AD. e. in Germany there was a shepherd of this type. The first German Shepherds (long-haired) were presented at an exhibition in Hannover in 1882, and short-haired were first presented in Berlin in 1889. Note that the honor of the formation of this breed belongs to the dog lover von Stephanitz.

Representatives of this breed starred in many films, and in some even were the central figure, and therefore take their rightful place in the list of the 10 most intelligent dog breeds.

These dogs are very capable, they can be used as a guard, and as a house dog, and as a policeman. For some reason, the popularity of this breed has been declining lately - and it is being replaced by many exotic breeds that are nowhere near as smart as the German Shepherd.

Shepherd can equally well serve as a companion dog, guard, protective, detective, service and guard dog. Successfully used in animal husbandry as a shepherd dog. More often than other breeds it is used in the service in the army, in the police, for the protection of state borders. A well-trained German Shepherd is indispensable when detaining a criminal. Used to accompany the blind. Gets along well with children.

### Page 2

№4 Golden Retriever

Belongs to the group of retrievers. The ancestors of five of the six retriever breeds were St. John, from whom the so-called wavy retrievers originated. The breed standard was developed by Lord Tweedmouth. He crossed a Yellow Flat-Coated Retriever with a Tweed Spaniel (now extinct). The result is the modern breed of golden retrievers. The purpose of breeding was to use these dogs to retrieve game from the water.