The wisest dog breeds – Top 100
Criteria
Below we present research criteria that have been used to create the ranking of the most intelligent dogs.
Ranks 1-10
Clever dogs
These dogs learn new commands after fewer than 5 repeats. These dogs obey the first given command in over 95% cases.
Ranks 11-26
Great workers
These dogs need from 5 to 15 repeats to learn a new command. These dogs obey the first given command in over 85% cases.
Ranks 27-39
Dogs over the average in terms of working
These dogs need from 5 to 25 repeats to learn a new command. These dogs obey the first given command in over 70% cases.
Ranks 40-54
Dogs at the average level in terms of working, quite obedient and intelligent
These dogs need from 25 to 40 repeats to learn a new command. These dogs obey the first given command in over 50% cases.
Ranks 55-69
Dogs under the average in terms of working, obedience, and intelligence
These dogs need from 40 to 80 repeats to learn a new command. These dogs obey the first given command in over 30% cases.
Ranks 70-79
The most disappointing dogs in terms of working, obedience, and intelligence
These dogs need over 80 repeats to learn a new command. These dogs obey the first given command in under 30% cases.
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Why has the Jack Russell Terrier been omitted from the list of smartest dogs. As noted by one of your articles, it is considered one of the smartest/intelligent dogs available.
The Jack Russell Terrier dogs did not participate in these tests and therefore they are not included in this list.
See, a ‘smartest dog’ list is not complete without a Xoloitzcuintli in the #1 spot. No one ever takes this breed into consideration and it’s such a shame. I’ve known many people who’ve had Border Collies and Xolos and every one of them has said the Xolos are miles ahead of the Border Collies in the brains department. I do imagine it’s hard to get enough Xolos for any kind of study or test.
Stanley Coren did not test with Xoloitzcuintli (Mexican Hairless Dog). However, any records related to the understanding of e.g. words refer to the Border Collie breed.