Australian Shepherds
By justabloke
@justabloke (526)
United States
January 3, 2008 1:06pm CST
I have read in a couple of different places that the Australian Shepherd is one of the most intelligent dogs out there. I used to own one until sadly she passed away 2 years back and we always thought of her as an intelligent dog. I didn't equate it to a bread until I read about it firstly, in a dog magazine and then in a book about dogs.
Does anyone share this view or like to nominate another bread?
6 responses
@aries_0325 (3060)
• Philippines
4 Jan 08
Yes, I heard that too. Australian shepherd is more intelligent dog rather than German Shepherd. I am a dog breeder thats why I have a lot of knowledge about raising a dog and train them.
@justabloke (526)
• United States
4 Jan 08
Thanks for the reply. When we first got out Australian Shepherd mix, she was crazy and wild, chewing everything. We paid someone to come and train her and within 4 days, she was able to respond to commands and was able to be allowed off her leash. She never completely lost the ability to respond to commands(even though we were not strick with them) and a very quick refresher always seemed to work.
@HOLLYGREENWAL (1)
• United States
10 Jan 10
YES, I AGREE. I HAVE ALWAYS HAD CATS, NOT A DOG FAN AT ALL. MY SEVEN YR OLD WANTED A PUPPY. I NEVER EVEN HEARD OF THIS BREED. $75.00 SHE HAS A MALE PUPPY AND I LOVE HIM MORE THAN LIFE, EVEN IF HE HAS ACCIDENTS AND CHEWED MY GOOD SHOE'S WHICH I LEARNED TO PUT UP. HE IS VERY PROTECTIVE, AFFECTIONATE AND GETS JELOUS EASY.
PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHY YOU THINK THEY ARE INTELLIGENT ?
SORRY ABOUT YOUR LOSS, I CANNOT IMAGINE. I HAVE HAD HIM ALMOST 3 MONTHS.
THANKS, HOLLY
hollygreenwald@att.net
@Seraphine (385)
• Finland
3 Jan 08
I have only met one australian shepherd but I have heard of them being one of the most intelligent dogs and the one at one of my workplaces was very smart. I think herding dogs in general are pretty smart but my favorite of them is definately the australian. Would love to have one someday.
@lightningd (1039)
• United States
4 Jan 08
I think the smartest breed of dog that I have seen is the Australian Cattle Dog (red or blue heeler), which is different from the Australian Shepherd. I have had several of these and they have always been by far the easiest to train.
A close second is the Border Collie. I have a border collie crossed with a boxer and he is also highly intelligent. My blue heeler still has him beat though. The dog was housebroken the first nite. This would not seem unusual but he had never been in a house before I got him. He also learned to speak on command, shake hands, high five, lay down, sit and all of the basics within the first week. He also would fetch a ball and bring it back.
This was all before he even hit 3 months of age.
But, opinions vary, and every breed has it's excetptional dogs.
My
• United States
3 Jan 08
I dont think it really depends on the breed, all dogs can be taught to do thigs such as sit or come, it just takes longer for certian dogs. Border collies are one breed though that I have to say that i've never met a 'dumb' one. I've only met about one aussie so I can't really speak for them. It also depends what the dog was bred for, such as aussies and border collies were bred for herding and protecting so they should be smarter(or learn quicker) than a dog that was bred to be a 'lap dog'.
@crunkyjens (463)
• United States
26 Jul 08
Oh I agree 100% with you! I have an Aussie and she is sooo smart! I have even taught her to ring a bell when she has to go outside. LOL She will bring me certain toys also when asked and she has learned quite a few tricks as well. And it only took her about 12 weeks for her to be fully housebroken, she picked up on it really well! We got her at 7 weeks, and she had maybe two pooping incidents in the house and that was it, and hardly any peeing accidents!
