Pacific Standard May-June 2013 Cover

Which Dog Is the Smartest?

A leading canine researcher says dogs understand more than 150 words and can count up to four or five. He has compiled a list of the world’s smartest dogs. See if your pooch cracks his Top 7.


Canine researcher Stanley Coren says dogs are as smart as 2-year-old kids and can comprehend more than 150 words. (Brit / Flickr)
December 22, 2009 • By • 33 Comments
0 Flares 0 Flares ×

The American Psychological Association’s 117th annual convention featured psychologist and leading canine researcher Stanley Coren, widely published author from the University of British Columbia. The subject of his talk: “How Dogs Think.”

The good news: Dogs are as smart as 2-year-old kids, can comprehend more than 150 words (although “super dogs” can understand 250), and can count up to four or five. The bad news: They are “consciously deceptive” and trick people into giving them what they want. “And they are nearly as successful in deceiving humans as humans are in deceiving dogs,” Coren said. But you knew that.

To settle the Mother of All Dog Park Arguments, Coren studied data from 208 dog-obedience judges in the United States and Canada to determine the differences in working and obedience intelligence across different dog breeds. And the results of the smartest pooch competition are in:

No. 1: Border collies.

No. 2: Poodles (in what has to be called an upset, surely).

No. 3: German shepherds.

No. 4: Golden retrievers (sorry, folks, still not convinced).

No. 5: Dobermans.

No. 6: Shetland sheepdogs (this one’s for you, MacDuff*).

No. 7: Labrador retrievers.

* The Napkin’s boyhood dog

The Cocktail Napkin appears at the back page of each issue of Miller-McCune magazine, highlighting current research that merits a raised eyebrow or a painful grin.

Sign up for our free e-newsletter.

Are you on Facebook? Become our fan.

Follow us on Twitter.

Add our news to your site.

More like this: Culture, Culture & Society, January-February 2010, The Cocktail Napkin
Tags: , , ,
  • Wynn Currie

    My first Border Collie had a vocabulary of at least 250 words and phrases by the time she was 3-years-old. I have a Golden Retriever and although wonderful in his own way, he is not in her class at all and yet he grew up with her and my teachings.Sorry, I wouldn’t have expected poodles to be in the running at all.

    • Birgit

      Poodles have been on the top of the list on other smart dog lists, so I am not surprised at all. It is the humans that make poodles look so funny and some time strange. Not the dog.

  • ANN WRIGHT

    My border collie cross is 15 now, — I have always found her totally amazing, — she has a very good memory, especially for people or situations she doesn’t like, — she also has a good sense of humour, — when eating, she covers the end of her nose in food, then comes to show me how silly she looks, – she knows this gives me the chuckles.When I tell her I love her, she yawns, — I keep telling her anyway, she is a wonderful companion, – but can also have her awkward moments when she will do just as she pleases.She is very vain, and looks at herself in reflections in doors round the house. I have bought her a toy sheep as a companion–she has lots of toys. Her way of helping me is to get right by the side of me supervising, and her timing is spot on when it’s food time she will stand staring at her empty bowl, or lying acroos the kitchen door entrance so I then will see her with her nose pointing to her food bowl.She has also learned her kerb drill, — looking left, right and straight ahead, then all clear before going onto a road..She has learned lots of commands, and sees fit to ignore others if it suits her.

  • Anonymous User

    Border Collies, my a**. My Golden Retriever was as smart as me, maybe smarter. I could train her to do anything: as soon as I conveyed to her what I wanted her to do, she would do it. Paw, fetch, roll over (both directions), lie down, sit, the whole portfolio of tricks. She even had human emotions: once she chased a bird onto our pool cover, and as she slowly sink into the middle of the pool, I swear she had an embarrased look on her face.

    • Borys

      That your GR is as smart as you is not something I'd be proud of…not to say that the dog is smart, but rather you may not be as bright as you think you are.

      • Jay

        Thats exactly what I was thinking. His comment says more about him than his dog or Border Collies. Yes I have a Border Collie and cant attest to their brilliance. The issue with them is that they MUST be taught new challenges all the time or they grow bored and unhappy. Although VERY smart, they aren't for every owner. Good thing the original poster has found his intellectual equivalent ;)

  • william hughes-games

    That is for sure. A couple of months ago, a little puppy grabbed one of my slippers and dumped it about 20 metres away on the grass and then lost interest and departed. My 3/4 Alsatian, 1/4 New Zealand sheep dog was sitting beside me on the outdoor sofa. I have never trained her to do anything and certainly not to fetch but I said “Sheba, get my slipper” and pointed where it was. She jumped off the sofa, walked over and picked it up and brought it back, dumping it on the top step and waited to go into the house. I sat there for a minute flabergasted and then opened the door for her. Dogs are ridiculously clever. And devious. Neither of our dogs will ever touch any food while we are in the room but just leave them alone in the kitchen while there is something they like on the table and it is gone.

  • Anonymous User

    We had a black lab / cocker spaniel cross that was very smart, loving, loyal, and protective. Although both of his lines are water dogs, he couldn’t swim very far before he started sinking and go into a panic. I made him a life jacket, and he loved it. He was 15 years old when he passed away last year.

  • Anonymous User

    what about the Bouvier des Flandres??

  • Anonymous User

    I have owned many, many dogs over the years. They can all be special and obviously intelligent. I believe many mentioned in this article rate high [Poodles, Labs, Sheppards, etc.] I had a Japanese Spitz that was a little too smart for her own good, a Lab-Pointer mix that was perhaps even smarter, and now a Rottie-Wolfhound who is so sensitive and in tune to what is going on – it is scary. In conclusion though – what about plain ol’ MUTTS?

  • Anonymous User

    We have a boxer and I am not sure how smart he might be but I do know that he is the most lovable and best family dog I have ever known.

  • Anonymous User

    We have a boxer and I am not sure how smart he might be but I do know that he is the most lovable and best family dog I have ever known.

  • william hughes-games

    That is for sure. A couple of months ago

  • Anonymous

    I have had many dogs in my life but my two most intellegent were lab crosses.The dumbest was an Irish setter.

  • Anonymous

    The smartest dog I ever had was a mix Jack Russell- Laso Apso cross. That dog knew when I was coming home and would wait at the door every day – and would give me a hard time when I was late. When we went for coffee we had to sit outside because he felt the need to sit at the table (on a chair) with everyone else and ‘participate’ in conversation. He didn’t take food off the table; nor did he seem interested in it. He just wanted to be part of it all. When I would work at my computer, he felt the need to be beside me, on a chair looking at what I was doing.
    I did catch him watching TV – but only if birds or cats were involved.
    He also was very good at looking for hidden things. We made a game of it; I would let him sniff what I was going to hide and then I would go to the other room and hide it between sofa cushions or in a bookshelf. Sometimes, I would catch him cheating by sneaking behind me and seeing where I put the toy.
    He was easy to teach tricks to and he didn’t do it for food – he did it for affection. He was high maintenance in that he needed a lot of attention but he was EXTREMELY well behaved and did what was expected.

    • Connie Sierra

      My Jack Russell knows when I am angry , happy, getting ready to go out. I swear he can read my mind. He is a true gentleman with instinctive good manners. Still a puppy at two, He can allways bring a smile to my face.I have never enjoyed a dog more.

  • Anne Marie Moore

    We have a Cardigan Corgie just over a year old. He is incredibly intelligent, a quick learner, solves problems and really uses his brain.I think most herding dogs are quite smart and have to think on their feet and respond to commands instantly.I sometimes wonder who is training who.Looking forward to a lot of wonderful and entertaining years with our boy.He also has a huge personality. Fantastic breed, easily trainable and very affectionate.

    • carl cassidy

      I have to so agree with you Anne Marie. I had a super dog as well, a Pembrooke Corgie who was super smart. He would always go with me everywhere riding up front in the passenger seat. When I was dating, and when my lady friend hadn't an issus with Benny in going along with us, he was regulated to going second class in the back seat. Although he loved the ladies, he was very jealous of my girl friends as was apparant on a ride, as he tried to actually push my girlfrend out the door as soon as my attention was on driving. We stopped and I went in to fetch coffee from our local coffee shop to come back and find my girl friend laughing as she struggled with Benny to prevent him from moving into her/his up front seat and taking his two font paws in an effort to push her towards the passenger door and out of the car.
      He was also upset if I spent too much time reading the paper and would smack it. When I would look around the paper at him, he would great me with a big smile and run to the front door to bring back my shoes and drop them at my feet… his way of reminding me that it was time for a walk and time to get off my rear.. Corgies are the best breed in the world…

  • B Meyer

    My dog is learning to talk. We’ve been working on it. She wakes us in the morning with “Hello”, tells us when she wants to go “Out”, and if she is partaking of something we’re eating (in nibbles) she says “More.” She also has a tremendous sense of humour and often performs “jokes” by tossing a bone in the air, having it hit her butt, and then laughing. She has a vocabulary now (she’s 2 1/2) of about 150+ words. She also has pretty good problem solving abilities (such as getting the ball out of the bannister when there is only one solution to the problem), and tries to immitate typing by banging on the keyboard when we’re not at our desks (so far, alas, she hasn’t written anything we recognize). I am waiting for the day, as in the Cervantes story, when I can have full, philosophical conversations with her…though I may be waiting a long, long time. In any case, she’s great company and a very wonderful member of our family who draws us out of ourselves and who enjoys life immensely.

  • Sollybaby

    Surprised not too see Bichon Frize on the list…have a bichon and almost 14 years in age…have owned numerous dogs in the past and this little guy has to be smartest dog I have ever encountered…even knows 2 languages…he is now deaf and 60% blind but still knows how to manipulate everyone he comes into contact with. Has visited over 30 homes and still remembers in detail each home and any special features and occupants of each home….even if not visited for over 6 months….just a incredible pet.

  • Anonymous

    All dogs are smart depending on how much time it’s owner(s) spend teaching and giving the pet TLC. We own a 16 month old Cocker Spaniel/Poodle mixed in with Bichon Frise and if I didn’t know any better he talks when he needs something like food or pee time. He is also the most loving and funny dog ever.

  • Anonymous

    We thought our smartest dog was a German Sheppard but we have just realized our ‘Yorkie’ is as smart if not smarter. She fooled us because she was stubborn and deceptive. (she plays stupid when it serves her!). She not only recognizes words but intently listens to our conversation. She would learn to recognize spelling too so we have to keep spelling things differently. She is also very intuitive and will display whatever I am feeling. A delightful friend she is the happiest dog we have ever owned!

  • Dan

    I had a female, 1/2 Shephard 1/2 Wolf and she was incredible. Smarter than her own good sometimes. I could go on for hours telling you stories about how smart she was. Protective but still very sensitive. If my wife was upset or crying she would try to chear her up. If I raised my voice at her you would physically see a tear in her left eye. She passed 3 years ago and we now own a male Golden Retriever. He is also part of the family. I do agree about the stats on retrievers, I think they just come across as being dumb sometimes because they can be very goofy. Buddy does it on purpose just to make us laugh. Ill throw him a ball and if he misses it he puts his head down and looks embarrased. When he catches it he gets very excited and barks with the ball still in his mouth. He is aslo smarter than his own good sometimes. I installed a camera in the house just to see what he is up to when were not around. We had no idea he likes the bed and the furniture as much as he does. He watches us through the window as we drive down the street. 2 minutes later he gets comfortable. Right after a tour through the kitchen. We laugh evertime we watch a new clip. I just wonder how long it will take him to realise he is being taped or who knows maybe he already does and is making a movie for us. I dont think I will ever want a different bread now that I have a G.R. I just have to convince the wife to let me get a female for him as a companion.

  • Mary Liz

    Do you think that I’m prejudiced? I rate my guys #1
    My e-mail says it all. :)

  • Barbara

    My 5 month old miniature poodle is the smartest dog I've ever had and I've had 3 previous poodles and an Irish Setter. This one was house trained very quickly, learned how to retrieve within weeks, sits on command, goes and gets her chew bone on command, walks beautifully on a leash, plays tag with my two year old grandson and is a real charmer. There are smart breeds and smart dogs within the breed.

  • Yvonne

    Hey guys …. what about the good ole Rottie….. we had black labs in the past and they were always getting into things…. Our last two dogs have been Rottweilers and they are exceptionally well behaved and very smart. They also don't bark alot, my husband says…'they don't bark, they just show up…!!'

  • LSM

    My Labrador/Sheppard was very smart, he understand everything and anything we said and was very obedient and well tempered. Tyson is missed very much as he passed away last June with liver disease.
    LSM

  • jargon

    I have two poodles and the two of them couldn't be more different than each other. Each responds to different things. One is more perceptive to feelings and the other is much more responsibe to sounds and cues.

    As for intelligence, they both can do many things but I still can't get one to listen to me when necessary…despite obedience classes and the other still won't sleep on his own bed, again, despite obedience classes…..

  • glad

    what about a boujon teddybear???

  • …………

    my dog is the best

  • The people whisperer

    The true experiment here, of course, is to have triggered a quick argumentative response from all dog owners who, just like parents, are all quite sure that their puppy is the smartest. Thus the conclusion: man is dog's best friend. Woof! :)

  • JEFF

    My Doberman is the smartest dog around she rattles her bowl when she wants water or food she brings her toy to be filled with treats at 8pm every night to my wife she is very loyal and kid friendly she knows when someone comes on our property or just on the side walk she will only bark if they step on the grass she does all the tricks roll over sit come etc etc she waits by the door at 5 pm for my wife to come home from work will actually get up at ten to 5 to go to the door to wait DOBERMANS ARE THE SMARTEST HANDS DOWN

  • Mike

    Of course dogs are too smart for their own good. Of course they are manipulative and sneaky. Of course they are funny, charming, perceptive, observant, loving, etc. That's how they conquered us some 20,000 years ago. It certainly wasn't by brute force. They merely recognized that with a little effort we could be their meal ticket for eternity.

    Our golden retriever can be so shy, so dominant and persistent. So stupid, so smart. A sponge for however much love and attention is being dished out. I hear her snooping around in the kitchen, but no matter how quietly I sneak up on her, when I poke my head around the corner she is always facing me with that "What do you want now?" look.

    She probably isn't long for this world, 12 years old with tumors.