If you are looking to add a dog to your family then there’s plenty of choice - there are 221 different breeds of pedigree dog to choose from, alongside numerous crossbreeds.
When it comes to intelligence, certain breeds tend to shine - something animal psychologist Stanley Coren delved into in his book The Intelligence of Dogs.
He ranking breeds by using three different measures, namely:
- Instinct: The nature to perform specific tasks, such as retrieving, guarding, or herding, without any training at a young age.
- Adaptive problem-solving: What dogs learn to do themselves and the problems they solve, such as how to open a box, find a way around a barrier, or get a treat out of a tube.
- School learning: What dogs learn to do with human instruction, such as understanding human language and learning new tasks and cues.
Taken together he produced the most authorative guide to doggy IQ.
Here are his top 11 clever boys and girls.
5. Dobermann
The Dobermann, or Doberman Pinscher, completes the top five when it comes to the smartest breeds of dog in the world. They have a remarkable talent for gauging perceived threats, which makes them a great guard dog - particularly since they are also very loyal and protective towards their home and owner. This is a dog you want on your side at all times. | Canva/Getty Images
6. Shetland Sheepdog
Like Border Collies, Shetland Sheepdogs are great at herding animals due to their extreme intelligence. They thrive on being given new things to learn - the more energetic the better. Frankly, if they're not well bahaved, it's probably your fault. | Canva/Getty Images
7. Labrador Retriever
Britain's - and the world's - most popular breed of dog is no slouch in the brain department either. Commonly used as guide dogs and drug detection dogs, the Labrador Retriever's eagerness to please makes them a dream to work with. Sometimes it seems like this clever breed train themselves. Be warned though - they'll often use their big brains in their constant quest to find food. | Canva/Getty Images
8. Papillon
Big dogs have dominated the list so far - tending to be more intelligent than smaller breeds - but tiny dogs don't always have tiny brains. The little Papillon is proof of that, being the cleverest of the more diminuative pooches. They are responsive, obedient and are regularly take top spot in agility trials at dog shows. | Canva/Getty Images