Introduction
A lot of people wonder what are the smartest big breeds in the world. They want to know their top choices for smart canine pets and companions. And then some look into the breed because they believe that they require special care or training that makes them difficult to handle. The truth is all dogs need training, not just the so-called “smart” ones. Several factors go into determining the intelligence of a dog. So, what are these factors that give us an idea of how smart big dogs, or any dog for that matter, might be? First are their genes. Next is socialization with humans during the early stages of development. Below is a selection of the smartest big dog breeds in the world.
Intelligent Hard Working Border Collie
Border Collies are known as being one of the smartest dog breeds in the world. They have a very strong herding instinct and have been bred to work cattle, sheep, etc. Their intelligence was needed for them to handle the difficult job they were given without becoming discouraged. Today these dogs can be found in a variety of settings. They can be working dogs, family pets, and even assistance dogs for those that need them. This dog breed is one of the hardest working breeds in the world and will thrive on having a job to do. It is also the most intelligent of the big dog breeds.
What Are the Physical Features of Border Collies?
These dogs are medium-sized with short to medium-length coats. The most common color variations are black, white, sable, and tri-colored (black/white/red). They have pointy ears that will stand up when they are alert. Their tails are long and bushy. Their coats may be smooth or rough. The average height of a male Border Collie is between 20-22 inches and the average weight is around 40-45 lbs. Their life expectancy is around 12 years.
What Are Their Personalities Like?
Border Collies are known for being very active dogs. They are always on the go, ready to work or play with you whenever you are ready. They are very affectionate, intelligent, and have strong herding instincts so they will do well with other pets if properly socialized early. This breed is also emotionally intelligent. They know what you want them to do based on your tone of voice or body language.
Golden Retriever – One of the Most Popular Pets in the World
Another very popular family companion is the Golden Retriever. They are known for being eager to please, cheerful, loyal, and smart. They are also considered great family dogs because they are so affectionate and gentle with children. While they are great with kids, they do require early socialization to prevent them from becoming too protective of family members.
The Golden Retriever has an athletic build and is considered one of the most popular dog breeds. They are loving companions, without being too pushy or difficult to handle. They are wonderful family pets because they crave human attention and affection.
What are the physical features of the Golden Retriever?
They have long feathering on their legs and tail, with webbed feet. They come in yellow, golden, cream colors. Their coat is water-resistant so it can handle being outdoors in the elements. But they also have a softer undercoat so they can live indoors without being overstimulated by noise or activities of daily living.
The Golden Retriever was originally bred as a gun dog for hunting, but today they are great family pets that can also be trained to help those with disabilities.
Also see: What Is the Largest Breed of Labrador?
Confident and Intelligent German Shepherd
The German Shepherd dog. This breed is the most well known for being one of the smartest big dog breeds in the world. It is another intelligent and confident dog breed. Bred to herd and protect, they are strong and agile dogs that will be eager to please their owners. Their intelligence makes it easy for them to learn tricks and other duties required of them. They can also become overprotective of family members so early socialization is very important with this breed.
What Are the Physical Features of The German Shepherd?
They have an athletic build and a strong neck. Their ears are always erect, their tail is bushy with a curve in it, and their coat can come in many colors including sable, tan/black, solid black, or even white. They also come in two varieties, long hair and short hair.
The German Shepherd is an extremely intelligent dog breed that can become bored easily when not given mental stimulation or things to do. This makes them very easy to train, but it also means they need daily physical exercise.
Standard Poodle
The Standard Poodle is smart and easy to train. It is a breed that has a wonderful temperament. They are extremely intelligent and learn very quickly. This dog breed is known to have a very pleasant nature and can be a great family pet for people of all ages. The Poodle also takes direction well from their handlers making them easy to train. Today these dogs are found in many different areas. They can be seen working in shopping malls, assisting people in wheelchairs, and performing tricks at circuses to name just a few of their talents.
The Standard Poodle is happy to interact with people and loves being indoors. He also gets along very well with other dogs. The only time the Standard Poodle might not be so agreeable is if he senses something is amiss in his environment, or has an illness that causes him to act out of sorts.
What Are the Physical Features of The Standard Poodle?
The Standard Poodle is a medium to large dog. Their coats are silky and curly, but some of the coat has been known to be wiry in some dogs. Male Standard Poodles stand anywhere from 22-26 inches while females stand only about 2-4 inches less than males. The breed weighs between 40-55 lbs. These dogs are sturdy, but not too bulky.
Conclusion
There is not one specific breed that can be identified as the smartest big dog breed. All these breeds have many different qualities that make them stand apart from one another. One may be smart, while another may be extremely athletic, but all can learn if given the attention they need.
Featured image: Border Collie
