Strongpets Blog » Intelligent Dogs

Dogs and Words: The Smartest Dogs

katherine — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 14:30:21 +0000

Dogs can’t think, correct? WRONG. You always knew it, but now there is proof. Psychologist Stanley Coren has been researching dogs and their behavior, concluding that they are capable of learning words. One hundred and sixty five, as a matter of fact!

Coren tested dogs with a modified version of a test used to measure language abilities in children. Not surprisingly, he found the most intelligent breed to be the Border Collie, who can understand up to 250 words and hand signals. Lowest on the intelligence list? Older breeds such as the Afghan Hound, Basenji, Bull Dog, Chow Chow and Borzoi.

Dog intelligence has increased as breeding has become more selective. As an example, Coren states that if you point, a dog will usually look to where you are pointing. A wolf that has been raised by humans will simply look at your pointing hand.

Stanley Coren also reports that dogs dream about “day to day dog activities” just as people dream about daily life. Smaller dogs are said to dream more than larger dogs.

The Top Ten Smartest Dogs are as follows:

Border Collie
Poodle
German Shepherd
Golden Retriever
Doberman Pincher
Shetland Sheepdog
Labrador Retriever
Papillon
Rottwieler
Australian Cattle Dog

Pomeranian

admin — Wed, 06 May 2009 19:52:13 +0000

Pomeranian

The Pomeranian came from Pomerania in Eastern Germany. It was a larger dog until the 19th century, when the dog was bred to it’s current size, from 8 to 11 inches tall. The foxy look of this dog, along with its pointy ears, gives this dog an endearing face. The most common colors are red, cream, orange, black, sable and black and tan.

This dog is smart, active and outgoing. He is protective and can make a good watchdog. If you do not socialize this dog early, he may become unfriendly to strangers. This breed is known for it’s cleanliness. As with all breeds, not every dog is the same – however this dog may do better in an adult home rather than a home with small children.

Training

The Pomeranian is very intelligent. He is easily trainable and enjoys training and working sessions.

Exercise

The Pomeranian needs moderate exercise. .Due to this dog’s intelligence, a bored Pomeranian might not be happy left alone. Leave plenty of toys for this dog to play with.

Grooming

This breed has a double coat – a straight outer coat and a soft undercoat. Brush daily to weekly, paying special attention to the long hair under the neck.

Health

The Pomeranian breed is prone to luxating patellas, tracheal collapse, PRA and dental problems.

Keeshond

admin — Wed, 06 May 2009 19:50:10 +0000

Keeshond

The Keeshond is smart, a good watchdog and sociable. He is active, fairly easy to teach and enjoys participating in family activities.

Training

Train your Keeshond at an early age. Since he is an intelligent dog, teach him tricks and games that keep his mind active. Socialize him at an early age with other puppies and with friendly strangers. Brush your puppy so he is accustomed to regular grooming throughout his life.

Exercise

Your Keeshond loves to get exercise. Take him out and run him, play with him and let him enjoy the outdoors.

Grooming

The Kees needs a good brushing at least once a week. Cut any tufts of hair you can’t get out. Expect to have hair in your house at all times. Do not comb harshly or you can damage his coat.

Health

The Keeshond breed is susceptible to hip dysplasia and heart problems. It can also get von Willibrand’s disease and epilepsy. Some have been known to have flea allergies.

Jack Russell Terrier

admin — Wed, 06 May 2009 19:47:37 +0000

Jack Russell Terrier

The Jack Russell Terrier is a bundle of energy, and more! This breed is not suited to apartment living or an inactive lifestyle. You need to keep the Jack Russell involved in every activity the family participates in to make him the happiest. He needs lots and lots of daily exercise. A bored Jack Russell can lead to destruction.

Do you have any little animals in your home that run, squeak or just look cute? Not for long if you have a Jack Russell Terrier. This breed has a deeply embedded chasing instinct. The Jack Russell has been known to trap an animal in it’s home and forgo food for days while waiting for it to re-emerge! If you have cats, hamsters or anything small, you should not have a Jack Russell Terrier. The Jack Russell is fearless and determined.

Be sure your back yard is secure, with a fence that goes underground. If your Jack Russell spies a rabbit outside the fence he may do everything possible to go get it. Always hold your leash tightly when going for walks, as the Jack Russell will bolt at any given moment for other critters. You should also be careful when other dogs are around. If you have two Jack Russells, never leave them alone together. They may seem friendly, but can begin fighting dangerously over a favorite sleeping spot or bowl of food.

Training

Your Jack Russell may be stubborn, but is incredibly smart and again, determined. He will learn for food, and can master many unique and exciting tricks. He is highly focus and will do well with agility training and with jobs that require thinking.

Exercise

We cannot stress enough times that your Jack Russell Terrier needs exercise, exercise and more exercise – daily and often.

Grooming

A Broken Coat Jack Russell should be brushed weekly. The Smooth Coat Terrier only needs quick brushings. The Jack Russell is a moderate shedder.

Health

Hearing can be a problem in some lines. The Jack Russell Terrier is also prone to low thyroid, luxating patella, Legg-Perthes and heart disease. Jack Russell’s have a lifespan of about 13 to 15 years.

German Shepherd

admin — Wed, 06 May 2009 19:45:34 +0000

German Shepherd

A German Shepherd is an incredibly intelligent dog. He is athletic, strong, and loves a good challenge. Your German Shepherd must be well trained from puppyhood, or he will get bored and can be destructive in your home. A shepherd should not be left alone for long periods of time.

Your German Shepherd can be a good family member, and will be loyal to all. Expose your dog to people outside of your family often, so he will learn that strangers with normal behavior are friends. Your German Shepherd will know if a stranger is acting abnormally, and may bite defensively.

If you purchase a German Shepherd, be sure it is from a reputable breeder. Follow the dog’s line back to look for aggression, nipping or shyness. Unfortunately (as with many dog breeds), there are some German Shepherd breeders that are not reputable, and will sell you a dog with a back history of aggression and other problems. If you are adopting, spend a lot of time with the dog before you commit. Share your family’s lifestyle with the adoption agency and let them find the perfect dog for you.

Training

Enroll your dog in a good training class, and possibly in activities such as flyball or agility classes. German Shepherds are not happy unless they have a job or mental and physical stimulation. If they are trained well, there is practically no limit to what they can do. Due to their high intelligence, German Shepherds are used as sheep dogs, guard dogs, police dogs, rescue dogs, military dogs and guide dogs.

Exercise

Your German Shepherd needs a good dose of strong, hard activity daily. You will be doing your shepherd a favor if you combine his exercise with training and challenging tasks.

Grooming

German Shepherds require daily grooming. They shed constantly, with seasonal heavy shedding. Bathing should be done sparingly to avoid skin oil depletion.

Health

Although there are some amazing German Shepherd breeders in the country, there are just as many that are not. Overbreeding of this dog has led to hereditary diseases such as hip and elbow dysplasia, blood disorders, digestive problems, epilepsy, eczema, inflammation of the cornea, dwarfism and flea allergies.

Border Collie

admin — Wed, 06 May 2009 19:42:18 +0000

Border Collie

The Border Collie is one of the most intelligent dogs you can find. This breed originated between Scotland and England. The Border Collie has a stare that is almost unnerving – he will stare a hole right through whatever he is fixed on – whether it be a sheep, a squirrel or a toy.

Not for the average home, the Border Collie requires a great deal of exercise and mental stimulation. Some may find this breed almost too intelligent, as this dog will analyze every movement you make. If your Border Collie becomes bored, he can become hyper and destructive. This dog needs something to heard, and often. If he can’t find daily physical and mental challenges, he will find something to heard on his own such as cars, other pets or children.

Your gate latches are not safe with the Border Collie. He is so smart he can probably pick it if he wants. So be sure that your yard is well contained and that your Border Collie can get plenty of exercise and challenges if you plan to own this breed.

If you have small pets in the house, the Border Collie may not be for you. This dog may chase or herd other small animals.

Training

Your Border Collie is highly trainable due to his wonderful intelligence. This dog should be taken to a professional trainer if the owner is not experienced in dog training. It may become frustrating for a novice trainer to work with the Border Collie, as this breed will analyze every movement you make and try to analyze the movement. This dog is very well suited to agility training.

Exercise

Your Border Collie requires exercise throughout the entire day. He should be able to run, jump and play for long periods of time.

Grooming

The Border Collie does not require clipping or trimming. The coat can be short or long – the long needing occasional combing. The Border will shed heavily twice a year, but will continue to shed year-round.

Health

The Border Collie is prone to hip and eye problems. Some have been known to have seizures, deafness, allergies or OCD.

Belgian Sheepdog

admin — Wed, 06 May 2009 19:40:34 +0000

Belgian Sheepdog

The Belgian Sheepdog is strong, intelligent and intuitive. He is also called a Groenendael. He is obedient, but has territorial instincts. This dog will often bond with two people in the family. The Belgian Sheepdog is good with children if socialized early in life with them. This dog may be better as an only dog in the house, as he can be dominant towards other dogs. He will thrive on companionship and does not do well if he is not part of the family.

Training

The Belgian Sheepdog needs a job and exercise. As a puppy he should be socialized, attend training classes and be exposed to many different people and situations. Remember, he can be protective, so teaching him that regular strangers are safe will help you as he grows.

Exercise

Your dog will love games that involve herding, circling and any other type of work. He needs to be exercised daily, but then loves to come back inside the home with his family.

Grooming

The Belgian Sheepdog sheds a great deal twice a year, and sheds normally all year. Brush your dog outside daily to reduce the fur in your house. But any knots you cannot get out of his fur.

Health

The Belgian Sheepdog is prone to Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA), epilepsy, skin problems, hip and elbow displasia. If you do not exercise your dog regularly, he may become obese.

Australian Shepherd

admin — Wed, 06 May 2009 19:38:24 +0000

Australian Shepherd

The Australian Shepherd is an intelligent and even tempered dog. He will be dependable, excellent with children and a loyal watch dog. Australian Shepherds are working dogs and have strong working and guarding instincts. They have been used for herding, search and rescue and narcotic detection.

Training

Train your puppy early on to socialize him with others. The Australian Shepherd can be wary of strangers if not properly trained when young. Your dog in incredibly intelligent and can learn many tricks.

Exercise

The Australian Shepherd required a good amount of strong exercise every day. He needs to run and play, so he would not make a good apartment pet. The shepherd loves to frolic and romp, and is therefore a good playmate for active children.

Grooming

Hair, hair and more hair. Your Australian Shepherd will shed all year. You will find hair pretty much everywhere. Brush daily outside.

Health

Your Australian Shepherd is prone to eye problems and skin or allergy problems.