The Border Collie is the smartest dog breed in the world, according to scientists, although closely followed by the Poodle and German Shepherd in a classification that includes the Labrador and the Schnauzer
How many words do dogs understand? And this ability to understand what we humans say grows when it is one of the most intelligent dogs on the planet? And one more question: do dogs know how to solve mathematical problems? This article solves these interesting mysteries and reveals which are the 12 smartest dog breeds in the world , according to scientists.
The intelligence of the dog
Not everything is numbers and letters. Dog intelligence is difficult to measure, and the scales that attempt to assess it are not free to arouse controversy. Who doesn’t think their pet is the smartest dog on the planet?
Controversy aside, scientists have made an effort to investigate how dogs learn and how to assess their intelligence. And they agree on something: it does not seem fair to value the intelligence of dogs on a human scale .
Three types of dog intelligence, according to the nature of the animal. First of all, highly developed instinctual intelligence of dogs. Second, there is adaptive learning ; in other words, the knowledge that the dog gains on a daily basis out of sheer need for survival. And, finally, this scientist speaks of an educational intelligence , which is what the dog acquires through education and the result of which depends on the learning provided by his human and canine educator.
The 12 most intelligent dogs on the planet
The twelve most intelligent breeds in the world, ordered from most to least: border collie, poodle, German shepherd, golden retriever, Doberman, Shetland Shepherd , Labrador Retriever, Papillon , Rottweiler, Australian Cattle Dog, Welsh Corgi and the Miniature Schnauzer .
Canine language and math skills
Dogs understand at least 165 human words and gestures and are capable of solving simple math problems. And not only that: with the right education and commitment, says the scientist, a dog could differentiate 250 words.
But its virtues do not end there. A dog can count up to four and even up to five. Working leg to leg with the furry companions is worth it. If you play with them to add and work with numbers, their intelligence increases, but with a limit: their numerical capacity reaches four years of age on the human scale.