Dogs are one of the most intelligent creatures on this planet. There are certain breeds that, for generations, have been bred to do certain tasks. At first glance you may not know which dogs are intelligent and which ones aren’t but if you take a closer look at the following list then you will be able to tell easily! Here is a list of 10 intelligent dog breeds that were bred for specific purposes.
Jumping right into it in descending order:
10. Australian Cattle Dog
These dogs were bred to herd cattle, meaning they have had a lot of intelligent breeding to do this specific task. Think about it…
The Australian Cattle Dog is a hard working, playful breed which was developed in Australia to herd cattle. These dogs are extremely intelligent and make excellent companions for people who enjoy spending time outdoors with their pet by participating in activities like hiking or traveling together. They thrive on having something to do so they should be given plenty of physical activity every day either through training classes or dog sports where the Aussie can show off its natural intelligence and athleticism!
The Australian Cattle Dog (ACD) has an innate sense that helps them control herds of livestock without herding instinct from humans because these skills were passed down genetically from generation-to-generation as successive settlers arrived during the colonization period following European settlement over 220 years ago.
9. Rottweiler
It’s no surprise that the Rottweiler is one of the most popular dog breeds in America. This breed can be traced back to a time when they were bred and used as cattle drivers, pulling carts for butchers, police dogs, military service members and loyal family friends all at once! Rottweilers are most known for their strength, loyalty, and intelligence.
8. Papillon
Despite their small stature, the Papillons are fierce adversaries of rodents. These adorable dogs were bred to get rid of pests in homes by using special methods and a lot of patience. The main strategy was to bait rats with food or other items that they found appealing; then tease them until all energy has been sapped from them due to exhaustion for an easy capture!
7. Labrador Retriever
The Lab was first bred to be both a friendly companion and an active working dog breed. Historically, they were tasked with helping fishermen in their
day-to-day activities:
hauling nets, fetching ropes, retrieving fish from the chilly North Atlantic.
The intelligent Lab is also a
popular family dog, working as a therapy and service animal. Their intelligence
makes them great at tricks and training with minimal instructions from their owners!
6. Shetland Sheepdog
Shetland herding dogs are considered to be Spitz-type, who were originally bred for the purpose of protecting and directing livestock that they would herd. This breed is thought to have originated from a small mixed dog before eventually evolving as its own distinct species..
The intelligence of this breed is actually very similar to that of the Border Collie and Australian Cattle Dog. They are introverted, herding breeds known for their obedience and intelligent problem solving skills.
5. Doberman Pinscher
Dobermans are a versatile breed, with many jobs! They help humans as search and rescue dogs, therapy dogs, and service animals. But did you know that they also make great partners for dog sports like agility? Doberman’s have been spotted at competitions all around the world including
fly ball in New Zealand to obedience trials in Hawaii.
4. Golden Retriever
Golden retrievers are known for their ability to retrieve game undamaged. They were bred to fetch waterfowl during hunts, using their soft mouths and strong jaws so that they do not hurt the bird in the process.
The Golden Retriever is a
medium-large gun dog originally used for retrieving shot birds from hunting
parties who hunted upland game such as ducks or other migratory species of landbirds like pheasants or grouse, but can now be found with owners across America where it has successfully been trained at any number of tasks: tracking lost children through forests by scent alone; saving lives on oceans when professional scuba divers get into trouble undersea; finding crime scene evidence long submerged beneath muddy ground after rainstorms.
3. German Shepherd.
German Shepherds are a type of working dog that is part of the herding group. They have been used by farmers for centuries to herd sheep and other animals, as well as protect them from predators such as bears or wolves. These days German Shepherds can also be found in police forces around the world
due to their intelligence, strength, obedience training abilities- making them one tough canine!
German shepherds were originally developed by farmers with high demands on efficiency when it came time to manage livestock herds back before there was machinery available. Today they often serve law enforcement roles all over the globe because not only do they have an unmatched ability at listening and
following orders but their reliability makes this breed ideal candidates for service dogs who work closely
2. Poodle
The Poodle was originally bred as a hunting dog, but when the Europeans came to America and needed water retrievers for retrieving ducks from ponds they found out that these dogs were ideal. The ‘pudle’ in their name comes from them playing or splashing around in lakes after catching birds!
The Poodle’s intelligence, agility and charm make them an excellent choice for any family. They are well known to be the most intelligent of all dog breeds which may have something to do with their
curly coat that collects air bubbles on its fur during swimming trips.
1. Border Collie
The energetic Border Collie is an intelligent and acrobatic breed that can herd livestock with ease. The herding dog comes from the
Anglo-Scottish border region, which was a prime location for their work due to its proximity to Scotland where sheep are typically found in high numbers. Collies are easy-going with those they know but wary around strangers, which makes them equally good family
pets. The Border Collie has a life expectancy of 12 years on average.
The list of ten most intelligent dog breeds was compiled by examining the breed’s average score on an intelligence test, as well their trainability and popularity. We hope you enjoy this list! You may already have a favorite or two in mind from reading about these clever canines. If not, we encourage you to research more
about each type of dog so that you can find one that is perfect for your family and lifestyle. Which doggy genius are you?