{"id":16211,"date":"2013-12-06T15:31:22","date_gmt":"2013-12-06T14:31:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.petspyjamas.com\/blog\/?p=16211"},"modified":"2025-03-03T13:11:19","modified_gmt":"2025-03-03T12:11:19","slug":"top-19-smartest-dogs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.petspyjamas.com\/blog\/top-19-smartest-dogs\/","title":{"rendered":"The Top 19 Smartest Dogs"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"1\"<\/a>1. Labrador Retriever<\/p>\n

The UK’s most popular breed, Labradors are the subject of countless\u00a0stories. Few can beat that of\u00a0Endal, who saved a man during a 2001 emergency by retrieving his mobile phone from under a car, fetching a blanket to cover him, and running to a nearby hotel for help.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"2\"<\/a>2. German Shepherd<\/p>\n

Known for their courage, the most famous GS was Rin Tin. Rescued from a World War I battlefield, he went on to appear in 27 Hollywood films so profitable, they launched the success of Warner Brothers.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"3\"<\/a>3. Golden Retriever<\/p>\n

These dogs might be the most obliging to get into a bath, but with their notoriously water-resistant fur, they’re very difficult to clean. The Air Bud movies star one of the cleverest: Buddy, who develops his hoop-shooting skills before tackling American football.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"4\"<\/a>4. Yorkshire Terrier<\/p>\n

These cunning little guys always know where they’ll get the most cuddles and treats. They’ve been adopted by celebrities like Justin Timberlake, Brett Favre and Britney Spears.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"5\"<\/a>5. Boxer<\/p>\n

Adept at mirroring their owners’ expressions, their face-pulling has helped this breed’s reputation as reliable military messengers, pack carriers and guard dogs.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"6\"<\/a>6. Poodle<\/p>\n

The 18th\u00a0century philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer was so impressed with his poodles, he criticised his Dutch counterpart\u00a0Spinoza for arguing that animals have no purpose beyond satisfying humans.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"7\"<\/a>7. Rottweiler<\/p>\n

Originally livestock herders,\u00a0Rotties\u00a0have a rather unfounded reputation as foolish and aggressive. Anyone who’s seen Lethal Weapon 3 knows just how easily Mel Gibson managed to reduce a Rottweiler\u00a0to a playful pet with a dog treat.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"8\"<\/a>8. Collie<\/p>\n

Who’s smarter than Lassie? Handsome Roddy\u00a0McDowall, gorgeous Elizabeth Taylor and a dog called Pal tell the story of a loyal Collie who crosses miles of harsh terrain to return to the boy she loves.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"9\"<\/a>9. Pug<\/p>\n

Fortune, the pug belonging to Napoleon’s first wife\u00a0Jos\u00e9phine, carried secret messages when the future empress was confined at Les Carmes prison. The pup was the only one with visiting rights.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"10\"<\/a>10. Australian Cattle Dog<\/p>\n

Clever pup Sophie Tucker\u00a0m\u0430d\u0435\u00a0headlines \u0430ft\u0435r falling from h\u0435r family\u2019s yacht and swimming five nautical miles through shark-infested waters to a deserted island, where she lived for four months before she was found by rangers.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"11\"<\/a>11. Manchester Terrier<\/p>\n

Bred to contain rat populations in the slums of the Industrial Revolution’s filthy cities, the most famous Manchester Terrier of the era was called Tiny. He held the record for dispatching\u00a0300 rats in 54 seconds.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"12\"<\/a>12. Welsh Springer Spaniel<\/p>\n

Among the most ancient hunting breeds, the Welsh Springer has an impressive vocal range, from yodel to bark.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"13\"<\/a>13. Shetland Sheepdog (Sheltie)<\/p>\n

When Calvin Coolidge was US President during the 1920s, he and wife Grace kept a veritable zoo at the White House. Among the menagerie was a white Sheltie called Calamity Jane – so named because she needed a bath every day.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"14\"<\/a>14. Beauceron<\/p>\n

Also known as the French Shepherd, this breed is popular with filmmakers. Beaucerons have joined the casts of beloved films like\u00a0Moonraker, Marmaduke, Hotel for Dogs, The Bear and The Wild Child.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"15\"<\/a>15. Bull Terrier<\/p>\n

This breed is sometimes called the “White Cavalier,” an epithet with its roots in the age of chivalry. It was bestowed on the Bull Terrier because, though they never set out to start a fight, these dogs have always been capable of finishing them.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"16\"<\/a>16. Elkhound<\/p>\n

The national dog of Norway, this breed was much admired by Virginia Woolf. The author peppered her novel Orlando<\/em> with references to the hounds. Orlando himself came to believe he could only trust elkhounds and nature.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"17\"<\/a>17. Brussels Griffon<\/p>\n

Six different Brussels Griffons played the part of Verdell, Jack Nicholson’s co-star in As Good As It Gets<\/em>. \u00a0\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"18\"<\/a>18. West Highland Terrier<\/p>\n

These little guys are so savvy, they were chosen as brand icons for Cesar dog food and Juicy Couture.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"19\"<\/a>19. Basenji<\/p>\n

These sensible pups are known for their independence. Some consider them more intelligent than more obedient breeds, since they have the ability to recognise what benefits them instead of simply acting to please others.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Celebrated by actors and writers alike, this smart set have a savvy reputation.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":31,"featured_media":16281,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[405,41,355,781,58,610],"class_list":["post-16211","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog","tag-boxer","tag-german-shepherd","tag-golden-retriever","tag-poodle","tag-rottweiler","tag-yorkshire-terrier"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\r\nThe Top 19 Smartest Dogs \/ PetsPyjamas<\/title>\r\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Most dogs are pretty smart, but have you ever wondered which dog breed is the smartest? 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