Smarter than the average pooch, Border Collies' IQ sees them come top of the class

Many dog owners like to think they have the smartest dog on the block. And, while your dog can bark on command and roll over, just how bright is your furry four-legged friend?

A study by psychology professor and neuropsychological researcher at the University of British Columbia, and author of The Intelligence of Dogs, Stanley Coren compiled a ranking of 110 dog breeds based on a survey by more than 200 professional dog obedience judges.

'There were some surprises. A few breeds were higher or lower than expected, but the overall pattern was what was expected,' Coren says. 'For the top 10, the majority were sporting breeds, the Poodle may have been a surprise, but it's a retriever by nature.'

As the No 2 ranked breed behind the Border Collie, the Poodle is a natural retriever in waters. Coren says the Poodle's unique haircut was originally intended to keep vital organs warm after swimming, while reducing water weight retained by thick, long hair.

According to the author, the average dog is equivalent to a two-year-old child. The average dog can understand about 165 words, signs and signals, while a very clever one is about 21/2 years old and can understand about 250 words. 'However, some people have been pushing those limits, and increasing a dog's lexicon,' he says.

Of the herding breeds, Coren says, three are in the top 10: Border Collies, German Shepherds and Australian Cattle dogs.