Which dog is the smartest in the world: dog breeds and characteristics
If people have different intellectual abilities, then why not define them in a true friend and companion of man – a dog. At the same time, what should be considered the criterion of the mind in such a diverse canine world? How to educate your friend to proudly demonstrate his achievements? All these questions are answered by neuropsychologist Stanley Koren in his study “The Intelligence of the Dog”.
Contents
What does canine intelligence mean?
According to the research of Professor Stanley Coren, canine intelligence develops in three directions. Every purebred dog has:
- intelligence of instincts;
- adaptive intelligence;
- execution of commands;
- developed obedience;
- imitation of actions.
At the same time, it is believed that the ability of the breed to perform the functions laid down by selection are instinctive. If the individual finds solutions to some emerging obstacles on its own, without an appropriate command, it is adaptation to circumstances. And only developed obedience can have an estimated indicator. Therefore, in assessing the indicator of the most intelligent breed of dogs lies the ability to quickly assimilate and execute commands.
The conclusion from this situation can be that it is possible to assess the degree of intelligence only in a dog that executes commands, is constantly in contact with its owner who teaches it. And whatever the breed, without the active participation of a person in the development of his pet, he cannot show outstanding abilities.
Canine abilities
An average dog in terms of its abilities, with constant contact with the owner and the cynologist, can remember 160 words and understand their meaning. She follows commands, and her intelligence is developed approximately like that of a child at the age of 2 years. Other dogs can learn up to 250 words or more. Wherein considered the smartest individuals who, when trained, learn commands repeated from 1 to 5 times.
They are able to accurately execute more than 95% of the commands given the first time. Better four-legged friends learn commands accompanied by gestures. In the field of simple knowledge of mathematics and adaptability to society, they are at the level of a four-year-old child.
Much depends on the breed, which was bred for a specific purpose. Traditionally smart and quick-witted shepherd and hunting breed. They work actively, using adaptive abilities, and trying to please the owner. Obedience is built into them by selection.
When training dogs, their natural reflexes are used, developing them in the right direction. When the desire to raise an intelligent dog coincides with its natural ability and desire to please the mentor, the owner considers that his pet belongs to the smartest breed of dog.
How to raise a smart dog
So, the decision is made and a person who has a vague idea about the maintenance and upbringing of dogs decides to take a four-legged friend. It must be borne in mind that a two-year-old child will grow up and become independent, but a dog will always remain a child.
Give her enough time required condition education of intellectual abilities. At the same time, a dog from the most “smart” breed can show its abilities only with systematic exercises. Otherwise, she can grow into an uncontrollable vicious dog.
Before taking responsibility for the fate of an animal, you should decide for yourself:
- How much time do you spend daily with your pet?
- What lifestyle does the owner lead, does he like regular outdoor activities.
- A dog is needed as a guard, an assistant in hunting and travelling, or just as a beloved pet.
When raising an animal, it will be necessary to develop its natural qualities and it will be better if the owner’s commands coincide with the pet’s instinctive inclinations.
The smartest pet will be in friendly, but firm communication with the owner, when he dominates the dog. In the animal world, strength is respected, the weak obey the strong. Therefore, whatever the dog, it must feel strength and power of the master. Only then will she strive to do his will. In this case, natural properties should be used.
Small example. Friends had a huge dog who worked as a watchman. During the day he was kept in a pen. One day, a herd of piglets escaped into the garden and the owners could not cope with them. The dog rushed out of the pen. The exhausted owners let him go, and in a moment the whole herd of pigs was gathered in a heap and driven into place. This is what dormant instinct means at the gene level.
The smartest dog in the world
In the Guinness Book of Records, there is officially recognized as the smartest dog in the world, a representative of the Chaser border collie breed. The vocabulary of this dog is more than a thousand, at the level of a teenager. For three years, the dog was trained to recognize and bring objects and commands to act with these objects.
As a result of the development of natural intelligence, Chaser learned to accurately follow all the commands of the owners, distinguish objects by their color and configuration, and execute commands aimed at moving or turning on by pressing a button.
An unfamiliar name was included in the set of items. On the demand to bring it, Chaser guessed that this particular item was required and brought it. At the same time, during her studies, she shows cheerful grace and joy from work.
To get a pet worthy of the Guinness Book of Records, you need:
- choose a promising healthy puppy of the desired breed;
- win his love and trust;
- systematically work on developing his skills.
For those who are professionally engaged in dog training, it is known that any of them learn basic knowledge and commands. And after training, the promises will be firmly fulfilled. Therefore, it is possible to make a child prodigy out of a pet not from any breed, but any pet can become smart with sufficient communication with the owner.
Breeds that are recognized as the smartest
According to the professor’s research, ten breeds of the entire numerous species of dogs can be attributed to the most intelligent. They were determined by analyzing the results of cynological events at numerous competitions. According to the ability to obedience, the breeds were divided into 6 subgroups, and the first group of them includes the following breeds.
Border Collie:
In the ranking list, it is presented as the smartest dog breed. The breed was bred in Scotland at the end of the 1976th century, standardized in England in XNUMX. The Border Collie represents the middle category in terms of morphological features. This type of dog was intended for pasture and if she does not have a job, then she can start to graze any domestic animal and family members.
The breed was obtained by selective selection, by crossing many varieties of shepherd dogs and created an intelligent, swift and trainable type of shepherd dog. The Border Collie is a good-tempered, well-trained dog and is trained to be a guide to the blind.
A well-proportioned, agile, friendly dog will be a welcome member of any family. She is constantly on the move and must be busy with the work entrusted to her by the owner.
Decorative poodle:
A graceful beautiful individual is one of the smartest. Her abilities initially developed as a hunting dog. She could bring downed waterfowl. However, its natural beauty has made the breed decorative.
The very delicate sense of smell of these dogs and the ability to train make trained poodles indispensable in the search for truffles. These mushrooms grow on sandy soil underground, and can be found by smell and a characteristic bump. So in the search for truffles, a poodle can significantly increase the well-being of the owner.
The poodle is a very easy to train clean dog with beautiful fur that requires constant grooming. Poodles live for a long time, under old age a characteristic disease is blindness.
German Shepherd:
Such a smart breed that at the slightest opportunity and weakened demands, it begins to be cunning and, executing commands, spend less energy. She responds to the messages in a way that is more convenient for her, and may refuse to comply if this does without consequences.
German Shepherds are easy to train, natural strength and fitness gives them energy, which should be able to manage.
However, where the owner dominates, there is no better detective and watchdog. She can be a shepherd, guardian and protector of all family members. Such dogs are often service dogs in the army and police.
Doberman breed:
This is a large working dog. Its powerful motor apparatus requires constant training. Therefore, a lot of time should be devoted to walks with physical activity. But the dog has an obstinate character and will not work if he believes that his owner offended him. She might even quit.
However, with constant monitoring and benevolent demands, he becomes an excellent service dog for the army. He behaves well with the members of the owner’s family. With such a dog, you can take long walks in nature, it will be a reliable protector.
Collie:
This is a Scottish Sheepdog, bred as a herding breed. A cheerful active breed with a soft coat and absolute good nature will be a godsend in every home. She is very decorative and friendly.
It is easy to learn not only commands, but also circus numbers, which entertains its owners. She will not forget to once again lick the hand that extended her a treat. Her restlessness forces the family to often go for walks, which everyone likes.
Labrador Retriever:
The beautiful calm and kind Labrador Retriever breed is a friend to all family members. Absolute friendliness, mobility and trainability are inherent in this breed. He subtly feels when they are satisfied with him and tries to do everything in such a way as to earn the praise of the owner.
Rottweiler breed:
A large and powerful breed, consisting of a ball of muscles rolling under the skin. She can be both a servant and a shepherd of the flock. However, to control such a dog, a demanding owner is needed, who will have to prove his dominance more than once. Dogs are independent, but at the same time devoted to the owner. They are aggressive, but they follow commands well and are smart.
Australian Cattle Dog:
This is a family member who will constantly remind of himself with mobility and the desire to take the owners for a walk. The breed was bred as a herding dog and now the Australian Cattle Dog accepts the family as a herd and is aware of all the events taking place there. She loves to take her owners out for active walks.
What breed to choose to get the smartest dog in the world? A smart dog is like a child prodigy requires a special approach and constant exploration of the environment. When creating a masterpiece, you need to combine love, knowledge in cynology and perseverance in training, and the result will be excellent.