How intelligent are dogs?

Question

Do you feel some breeds are more intelligent than others?

Do dogs in general understand human emotions?

Answer 1

There are some breeds that are bred for intelligence. But note that not all those dogs read by the book. It really depends on the dog itself and how it is raised and trained.
I totally believe that they understand all human emotions, happy, sad, mad, etc. They all learn the emotions and most will act appropriately. My dogs know when I'm really mad and they know to stay away, but when I'm sad or sick, they're right by my side loving and doing the cute things that they know make me smile.

Answer 2

Intelligence in dogs is much like intelligence in humans. There are many different intelligences. Some breeds like the German Shepherd and Shetland Sheepdog are extremely well in both learning and memory and problem-solving areas of adaptive intelligence. The Border Collie and the Tervuren (the best dogs) excel in the learning and memory part but not so much in the problem-solving aspect.

Dogs probably do understand human emotion as they have their own emotions too. In fact, many scientists believe the reason higher intelligence evolved was to interact with others. Since dogs are certainly social creatures, they would have to respond and figure out how each other is feeling. This ability probably goes to interacting with humans, too.

Answer 3

a million Border Collie 2 Poodle 3 German Shepherd 4 Golden Retriever 5 Doberman Pinscher 6 Shetland Sheepdog 7 Labrador Retriever 8 Papillion 9 Rottweiler 10 Australian cattle canines yet this in step with obedience (this is what your searching for)

Answer 4

Dogs are very intelligent, it depends on how you treat or how you train it!
I have seen some extra ordinary intelligent dogs, its coz of their training. All dogs are not equal but they can be competitive.
Dog training plays an important role in the life of DOGS!

Answer 5

I would agree that some dogs are highly intelligent,but all dogs are smarter than most humans give them credit for.I find that the Mini Schnauzer and the Brussel Griffon are both highly intelligent breeds.Yes dogs understand human emotions.Some like to be loved,some like to be noticed,and some like commands from their masters.

Answer 6

Sheena is right. My girlfriend has a Border Collie. She claims they are as intelligent as an eight year old child.
Yes, dogs can pick up on a humans emotions.

Answer 7

Presently there are dogs that are trained to signal seizures,high sugar levels in diabetic humans and a whole host of other things.I feel that dogs do sense emotions in people especially 'their' people.All dogs were bred to be of some use to us be it,herding,ratting,protection.I personally am a big fan of the terriers and they are very smart and animated.Others may feel their golden is wonsderfully smart as well.

Answer 8

Little Chi Girls got it right !!!
My pets know more then my bro in law and his kids, hehe. Ok that was bad............................But true ;o)~

Yes they are very intelligent. They know more then people think they do. They can sense cancer before doctors can. They can tell if someone is going to have a heart attack.They know when a person is feeling down. They know when bad weather is going to hit even before the weather man. ( Thanks to my little Sassy dog). They can tell if there are drugs/explosives etc. with just a sniff( pure breds and mix breeds too I might add)

Dog are very intelligent. No matter how you look at it. IT does not matter what breed or mix each has their own special qualities.

Answer 9

All depends from dog.And not from dog breed!I know smart foxterriers and stupid sheepards :-). And puppies are always stupid but then they live with human they started to understand us an become more smarter.Some of them become very smart some of them dumbs till the end of their lifes:-)

Answer 10

I think people interpret intelligence with learning ability. A Chimp has problem solving abilities, dogs don't.