Updated 5/25/2026
4 Things to Know About Dog Intelligence
We all want to believe our dogs are smart. Every time they learn a new trick, figure out how to open a door, or simply sense that we need some extra affection after a long day, we laud them as furry geniuses.
While there is nothing wrong with celebrating your dog’s quick wit and emotional intuition, researchers have actually established objective measures of dog intelligence. So, is your dog truly a four-footed Einstein, or are you just blinded by puppy love?
Here are four fascinating facts you need to know about canine cognition.
1. The Surprising Signs of Intelligence
Intelligence in the animal kingdom is reflected in a number of different ways. Just like people, dogs have varying personalities, strengths, and skills. PetMD lists some common signs you have a smart pup on your hands, including:
- Advanced Problem Solving: Does your dog quickly figure out treat puzzles? Do they know exactly how to nudge a cabinet open to get to their treats, even though you thought you hid them? Tenacity and problem-solving are clear signs of canine smarts.
- Getting Into Trouble: Those same problem-solving skills can assert themselves in some frustrating ways. Smart dogs tend to grow bored easily if they aren't mentally challenged. Your dog might learn how to escape his enclosure or act out in a destructive manner because that boredom is reflected in bad behavior.
- Emotional Communication: Smart dogs pay close attention to human cues. If your dog understands when you point at an object, or seems to actively try to communicate their needs to you, you have a bright dog.
2. The Great Debate: Dogs vs. Cats
Dog owners and cat owners have long debated which pet is the smarter of the two. For quite some time, cats seemed to be the uncontested winners of the battle of the brains, but new neurological research suggests otherwise.
A study published in the Frontiers in Neuroanatomy found that dogs actually have twice the number of neurons than cats, according to National Geographic. Dogs have approximately 500 million neurons in their cerebral cortex, while cats have about 250 million. While more research is certainly merited, it seems dogs come out on top in this specific study!
3. Does Size Matter?
Another study, this one published in Animal Cognition, has found that larger dogs may be smarter than smaller ones, according to Futurity. Dogs with physically larger brains demonstrated better short-term memory and stronger self-control, according to the report.
But, brain size isn’t everything! For example, the study found it does not predict a dog’s social intelligence or their ability to read human emotions. A tiny Chihuahua can be just as emotionally intuitive and socially brilliant as a massive Great Dane.
4. Brainy Breeds and "Stubborn" Thinkers
Breed definitely comes into play when considering canine intelligence, specifically "working intelligence" (the ability to learn commands). Border collies, known for their ability to learn quickly, are almost always at the top of the list of smartest breeds. Border collie Chaser famously learned more than 1,000 words, according to abcNEWS.
But Border collies aren’t the only highly trainable breed. Poodles, German shepherds, golden retrievers, Doberman pinschers, Welsh corgis, and Australian cattle dogs are also among the quick learners, according to the American Kennel Club.
(A quick note on "stubborn" dogs: Breeds bred to hunt or pull sleds independently often have high adaptive intelligence. They are capable of thinking for themselves, which just means they require more positive reinforcement and patience!)
Does your canine genius need an outlet? Smart dogs need physical exercise and mental enrichment to stay happy and out of trouble. If you need help burning off some of that extra energy, the professional dog walkers at Sparky Steps are here to help your pup thrive!
Written by Carrie Pallardy and Edited by the Sparky Steps Team
