If you’re looking for an active, affectionate, and smart canine partner, this breed could be perfect for you. The intelligence of the Golden Retriever? She’s so sweet and intelligent and just wants to cuddle all the time.“, 2. An Overview of Golden Retriever Dogs. Compared to the Golden Retriever, average dogs learn at least 5 times slower! As a reminder, these are instinctive intelligence, working or obedience intelligence, and adaptive intelligence. According to Stanley Coren, a canine psychologist, they are the fourth smartest breed behind the Border Collie, Poodle, and German Shepherd. The next day I can pretty much count on him looking to me for a treat when we reach that same, exact spot – whether we see another dog or not. Frogdude2004 says Yes: “My Golden Retriever has an incredible vocabulary, but won’t step over a tupperware on the floor if it’s in his way.”, 6. Golden Retrievers are smart. Surprisingly, the patterns shared by dogs and human infants were not observed in chimpanzees. Golden retriever males are 23 to 24 inches tall and weigh about 65 to 75 pounds (29 to 32 kilograms). This site also participates in other affiliate programs and is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. So if you’re looking for a great way to exercise with your Golden, playing catch/fetch or going for a swim are the perfect activity. From birth, these dogs are capable of pushing and driving livestock in directions based off pure instincts. As well as quickly learning behavior that you want them to, your golden pup will also need plenty of mental and physical stimulation to stop them getting bored. Females are about 21 to 22 inches tall and weigh about 55 to 65 pounds (25 to 29 kilograms). Most are food motivated so lots and lots of treats! Yes, Golden Retrievers are highly intelligent dogs. Any form of unprovoked aggression or hostility towards either people, dogsor other animals, whether in the show rin… The cost of buying and raising a Golden Retriever might surprise you. .hide-if-no-js { The Golden Irish crosses the Irish Setter and Golden Retriever to make a truly striking dog. The Golden Retriever is a dog without exaggeration. They’re currently ranked as the 4th most intelligent breed. Instinctive intelligence refers to the innate skillset or ability that a particular dog breed was developed for. Like the name suggests, golden retrievers were bred to retrieve small game. Little to no human training is needed. Golden Retrievers make good family pets, particularly as they are patient with children. There’s currently no objective method of measuring EQ with dogs, though I do believe Golden Retrievers excel in this aspect. Finding a shot bird in dense undergrowth can be a challenge. But what about real Golden Retriever owners? They provide great service when you tell them to bring things or behave in public, but due to their extremely friendly nature, it is too hard on them to scare or suspect anyone. Read more about this wonderful breed in our guide to the female Golden Retriever! Dog breeds with high adaptive intelligence are capable of learning from previous experiences. In fact, they’re the 4th smartest dog breed (out of 138 breeds) for to obedience and working intelligence. They also obeyed the first command given, 95% or more of the time. They also learn faster using positive reinforcement alone. Coren’s rankings were formulated using observations from Kennel Club obedience trial judges in America and Canada. If poorly exercised, the Golden Retriever can find it difficult to focus (something seen in most sporting bre… Fortunately, Golden Retrievers are recognized by both clubs. Despite this, there are a few large scale studies which we can use to form a picture of the relative intelligence of various dog breeds. As for obedience intelligence, average dogs will obey a known command on the first try with a 50% or higher success rate. Required fields are marked *. This makes training a breeze so long as the dog is well exercised and provided positive motivation to learn (usually treats!) They raise Golden and Labrador retrievers. Breeding for Beauty, Health, Intelligence, & Temperament. My current Golden is brilliant! Understanding of New Commands: 5 to 15 repetitions. Because of this, they’re great with children, other pets (such as cats) and really anyone. Golden Retrievers were originally bred as gundogs to retrieve shot waterfowl, duck, and game birds during hunting and shooting activities. A later study of Coren’s, detailed within his book ‘Why Does My Dog Act that Way?’ , canine personality profiles were split into 5 sections. On average, these dogs need between 25 to 40 repetitions in order to learn an unknown command. Current trends in canine problem-solving and cognition. If you don’t believe us, check out these stories from real Golden owners: My Golden is smart enough to know what it means when I grab my tennis shoes. Not nearly as obedient as the Golden Retriever, but still not bad at all. In fact, they’re the 4th smartest dog breed (out of 138 breeds) for to obedience and working intelligence. Golden retrievers are renowned for being a very sensitive and clever breed of dog, and, as such, they rely on interaction with humans to keep them stimulated. According to the renowned researcher, there are two other components of dog intelligence: instinctive and adaptive intelligence. Individual differences in cooperative communicative skills are more similar between dogs and humans than chimpanzees. Labrador Retrievers are believed to have originated on the island of Newfoundland, now part of th… Golden Retrievers are intelligent, patient, kind, loyal and affectionate making them a wonderful and popular dog to have as part of a … Obey First Command: 85% of the time or better. They are not a one man dogs and are generally equally amiable with both strangers and those familiar to them. So, they had no problems qualifying. Golden Retrievers excel at retrieving game for hunters, tracking, sniffing out contraband for law enforcement, and as therapy and assistance dogs. They are happy sweethearts, but they’re pretty dumb sometimes and we love them more for it.“, 9. Ponderingwaterbridge says Mixed: “My childhood golden was dumb as rocks, but I loved her and she loved me. With just a few walks, Riley already knows where he’s “supposed” to be given a treat. Some Golden Retrievers have shown a natural instinct to fetch objects as early as 50 days old! Goldens ranked number 4, but here’s how they came to this conclusion. They Were Bred For Different Jobs. Based on Stanley Coren’s research and intelligence trials, we know Golden Retrievers are smart. Practices and perceptions of clicker use in dog training: a survey-based investigation of dog owners and industry professionals. As well as making the most of your puppy’s intelligence, it’s also a great way to bond with your dog. Intelligence by Breed. When studying canine intelligence, experts tend to split this into 3 sub-sections: As you might have guessed, instinctive intelligence is something that varies widely between breeds. Dogs are able to form rewarding relationships with their owners using cooperative communication skills, in the same way that toddlers do with their parents and guardians. But bear in mind that they’re also sensitive. Your email address will not be published. Find out how well your pup will match your budget here, smaller dog breeds had more difficulty learning and obeying commands, Clicker training does require a level of handler skill. Clicker training does require a level of handler skill, and it’s definitely a good idea to attend some classes with a qualified trainer. If we pass another dog and he doesn’t react, he gets a treat. Intelligence and trainability are two different things, but luckily the Golden Retriever excels in both these areas. Theincapableact says Yes: “My Golden Retriever’s name is Darla and she’s been an amazing addition to our home. Their coat will be long, and need regular grooming to keep shedding under control. The Happy Puppy Site is a participant in the Amazon EU Associates Programme, an affiliate advertising programme designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.co.uk, The Happy Puppy Site is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com, social intelligence of dogs is similar to toddlers. While we may like to take that as proof that our canine companions are exceptional – other studies point out that their level of cognition is not extraordinary. The Golden Retriever is a family dog, and he needs to be with his \"pack.\" Don't consider getting a Golden unless you're willing to have him in the house with you, underfoot, every day. English Cream Golden Retrievers are excellent hunting companions due to their worker sensibility and calm demeanor. This means that a positive, rewards-based training system will suit them best. However, it is the most objective way of measuring intelligence. They are probably a cross between between a yellow Flat-Coated Retriever, light-coated Tweed Water Spaniels, other spaniels, setters and even the Newfoundland and possibly the Bloodhound. As the third most popular dog breed in America, Golden Retrievers received an enormous number of responses. Fun fact: his all time favorite breed is the German Shepherd. Intelligence and trainability are two different things, but luckily the Golden Retriever excels in both these areas. They’ll know when you’re down and sad, but also when you’re happy and excited. The correct relationship of length of body to height is 12:11. Not only was he a pHD but also a canine psychologist from the University of British Columbia. −  Has a Medium Level of Intelligence Golden Chows often have a mixture of intelligence and intuition. The Golden Retriever parent is highly intelligent, ranking #4 on Stanley Coren’s intelligence ranking of 138 breeds. The Chow parent ranks #135, in the lowest category of Coren’s intelligence … Important Reading Before You Get Your Golden Retriever Puppy A complete guide to your dog’s personality. Richard has been raising dogs his whole life, including a Poodle, Pomeranian, Corgi and Australian Shepherd. While dogs are mainly companions today, they were primarily herders, hunting companions, game retrievers and guardians (plus more) back in the day. This observation isn’t just based on anecdotal evidence, but is grounded in a variety of scientific studies. But unfortunately, these tests/trials measure just one dimension of IQ, which is completely different from EQ. The family-friendly Golden Retriever is popular for a reason. Welcome to Starchaser Golden Retrievers. The breed originated in Scotland in the mid 19th century. Find Golden Retriever Puppies and Breeders in your area and helpful Golden Retriever information. Why Does My Dog Act That Way? It may simply be that as one of the animal species that lives with us in such close proximity, that they are particularly sensitive to our actions. To put things into perspective, other popular dog breeds in this class include, the Rottweiler, German Shepherd, Labrador and Poodle. Riley is without doubt, a highly intelligent Golden Retriever. Their intelligence, combined with their calm natures, has made them the iconic dog for the blind. Welcome to our guide all about the intelligence of the Golden Retriever. If he is a little scared or traumatized it may be challenging but most do come around.”, 10. Coren’s method examines canine intelligence by splitting it into the 3 sections we discussed above. But she’s going to be disappointed to learn I’m going to the gym before I walk her. Working at a distance from their handler requires Golden Retrievers to have the ability to work independently to mark, find, and retrieve the game. Having the “experts” tell you that the Golden Retriever is smart is one thing. At the same time, they need to stay aware of where their handler is, and cooperate with them from a distance. Again, another testament to the obedient nature of the Golden Retriever. Specifically, they specialized in retrieving dead waterfowl after having been shot by the hunter. These skills, referred to as instinctive intelligence, are a large part of the answer to the question “why are Golden Retrievers smart?”. Golden Retrievers excel at retrieving game for hunters, tracking, sniffing out contraband for law enforcement, and as therapy and assistance dogs. Breeds within this ‘brightest dogs’ category were found to need fewer than 5 repetitions before they understood a new command. They’ll likely never do it again, at least intentionally. }. Agility and retrieving training are two ways of keeping your Golden Retriever entertained and exercised. Obey First Command: 95% of the time or better. Their intelligence and gentle nature makes Golden Retriever training very easy for first time owners. Though every individual dog is different, most Goldens will thrive with retrieving at one point or another. The Golden Retriever has been an AKC-recognized breed since 1925 and was commonly used as a gun dog and for retrieving small game such as waterfowl or for companionship. But many do fit into a classic profile for their breed. Lucy is wildly smart and extremely cute. It’s been found that the cognitive ability of dogs can be measured quickly, with results showing the structure of their abilities to be similar to what we also find in humans. Golden Retrievers are athletic and intelligent dogs that have gentle temperaments. The difference between the various Golden Retrievers is a matter of difference in adaptive intelligence, and this can be measured by using the appropriate tests. Highly trainable because of their good intelligence and desire to please their owner, the Golden Retriever is an ideal dog for any owner. Golden Retrievers are also some of the most loyal dogs you can find. Check out this owner’s Golden Retriever named Riley. If you are not the sporting type, bringing a Golden Retriever into your family as a pet is just as rewarding because they are one of the most loyal and jovial breeds out there. The current list of smartest dog breeds is flawed – it’s a one-dimensional intelligence test. The Golden Retriever has been an AKC-recognized breed since 1925 and was commonly used as a gun dog and for retrieving small game such as waterfowl orfor companionship. Your Golden Retriever may work out how to open a cupboard door for a sneaky snack, or come and stare at you when their water bowl runs dry. She learns the title we give a new toy within a minute and will go retrieve the specific one that we ask for.“, 5. Often too smart for their own good.”, 7. Golden Retrievers are still the most popular seeing-eye and assistance dog, their even temperament and strength making it the ideal breed for such work. Here you can find lots of information from Totally Goldens on Golden Retriever puppies.. There’s articles on how and where to get a Golden Retriever puppy, how to ready yourself and your home for their arrival, how to care for and train a puppy, and some all important information on puppy socialization.. The Golden Retriever is an exceptionally intelligent dog that is eager to please. This site is owned and operated by Jenco Digital LLC. Plus, even popular Golden Retriever mixes, such as the Goldendoodle, are on par. So, are Golden Retrievers smart? Golden Retrievers are great at understanding situations and the environment that surround them. But as energetic medium/large dogs, they’ll need a moderate amount of exercise – at least 1 hour of activity each day! Based on a dog trainer's survey. Yes! Smartest dogs: is your pet the cleverest pup of all, Dachshund Gifts: Unique Gift Ideas For Lovers Of Dachshund Dogs, Intelligence and Learning Ability: very high. Golden Retriever Overview. With its origins lying in the Scottish Highlands, this breed was developed into a very capable hunting breed by Noblemen throughout Scotland’s countryside. zero Thatonecooldude says Mixed: “Golden Retrievers are the smartest dumb dogs, if that makes any sense. The golden retriever has a water-repellent coat that is wavy or flat and gold to cream in color. Golden Retrievers, regardless of color, are ideal for physically challenged individuals, as well as for those needing emotional support. Coren’s dog intelligence trial criteria was based on two factors: Only dog breeds with a minimum of 100 responses were included in Coren’s final rankings. display: none !important; The Canadian Golden Retriever tends to be taller than other types and its coat is darker and thinner. TheSmartCanine.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. If you’re wondering exactly how canine intelligence can be measured, we’ll take a look at that as well! He asked them to help assess and rank dog breeds based on his criteria. But given how obedient and people-pleasing these dogs are, is it really a huge surprise? Due to their success, these techniques are growing in popularity and you shouldn’t have any trouble finding a trainer who aligns their training classes with this ethos. Before you get any dog, make sure you can commit to their grooming requirements, and are aware of any health concerns that can affect their breed. Associating objects with a consequent action is another sign of high adaptive intelligence in dogs. Any of us who spends time around dogs knows that different breeds tend to have particular character traits. Measuring a Golden Retriever’s Intelligence, Other Reasons Why Golden Retrievers Are Smart, what a dog can learn to do for him or herself. Just check out this Golden Retriever in action: This means they’re naturally superb at fetching (“retrieving”) objects from water. A review of cognitive abilities in dogs, 1911 through 2016: more individual differences, please! This ability has been treasured with this breed since the late 19th Century when the breed was established. Poppapie says Yes: “I have recently adopted a Golden Pup (female) and we are first time pup owners. As a matter of fact, they performed in the “top 10” category for dog intelligence. Historically, gundog training often involved the use of negative reinforcement and force, if the dog did something incorrect. We already know Golden Retrievers are intelligent dogs. The researcher responsible for our list of smartest dogs is Stanley Coren. In what sense are dogs special? There’s nothing wrong with being average. However, potential owners always question the intelligence of these popular dogs. Dog behaviour co-varies with height, bodyweight and skull shape. The Golden Retriever is a medium-sized to large, well-balanced dog with a distinctive golden-colored coat; small, drop ears; and a natural tail carried level with the back or with a slight upward curve. Golden Retrievers are, as we now know, a very intelligent breed. Understanding of New Commands: Less than 5 repetitions. Unless you plan on using your dog for a specialized task or job, there’s no need to pick one of the smartest dog breeds. They typically weigh between 55-75 pounds, and grow to around 20-24 inches tall. They’re exuberant, sweet, smart, and hard workers. Canine cognition in comparative context. Specifically, the Golden Retriever ranked 4th among all 138 dog breeds that qualified. Before bringing home your golden puppy, start by puppy-proofing your home and establish house rules. What are your tricks for keeping their mind active, and their body busy? Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. With that said, Golden Retrievers are extremely friendly and affectionate dogs. There isn’t one accepted method by which the intelligence of dogs is studied, and that is something scientists in this area would like to address. The methods used in this test were similar to those used to test both humans and apes. The next of our golden retriever facts relates to the breed’s intelligence. Here’s what these owners had to say about their dog: 1. Your email address will not be published. Yes, Golden Retrievers are highly intelligent dogs. Yup, you’re right. Nekomori says No: “They are great dogs, but I don’t call them idiots in a mean way. While these beautiful dogs are well known for their lustrous golden coats, and friendly temperaments, are they also smart? The Inner Golden Retriever Temperament. While not all golden retrievers are as talented as Air Bud, they are known for their intelligence. To truly understand how smart these dogs really are, we need to first understand just how Stanley Coren measured the intelligence of dogs. The breed’s friendly, tolerant attitude makes them great family pets, and their intelligence … The Golden Retriever New Hampshire knows today has roots going back to Scotland in the mid-19th century. The breed’s friendly, tolerant attitude makes them fabulous family pets, and their intelligence makes them highly capable working dogs. With its originslying in the Scoish Highlands, this breed was developed into a very capable hunting breed by Noblemen throughout Scotland’s countryside. As a member of the Gundog group, the original purpose of the Golden Retriever was to work with his master to mark and then retrieve gamebirds which had been shot. … Let’s take a look at the method used by Stanley Coren, author of ‘The Intelligence of Dogs’. More than their intelligence in reference to how they can be trained and all that. So once the Golden Retriever has worked out the likely location, they then start looking for the bird in a systematic way. On the other hand, Labs and Golden Retrievers are very easy to train, as they are supposed to be following instructions and obeying them as a gesture … One study in 2013 found that smaller dog breeds had more difficulty learning and obeying commands. In fact, he did. Give them some time and have a bit of patience.  =  Stanley Coren requested the help of nearly 200 North American obedience trial judges to help him with his intelligence trials. Bringing home America’s favorite family dog is an exciting moment. For example, the Australian Shepherd, Boxer, Dachshund, Great Dane and the Siberian Husky are average. Only the Border Collie, Poodle and German Shepherd are considered smarter than Golden Retrievers. The Golden Retriever is one of the most popular dog breeds in the U.S. But unlike instinctive intelligence, this type of intelligence may vary by dog. Golden Retrievers performed extremely well. For reference, the average dogs are those ranked between the 63rd and 104th spot. In addition, only breeds that were recognized by the American or Canadian Kennel Club participated in the evaluations. Mcquotables says Yes: “Goldens are very smart. They’ll love it! Some of the world’s most popular dogs fall into this “average” IQ category. Yes they are! These sports come so easily and naturally to them. Our Golden Retriever is an ex guiding dog, we got her when she “retired” so to say. While other breeds can be too sensitive, high-strung, bouncy, or energetic for such responsibilities, Golden Retrievers fulfill these service roles with a nonchalant, self-confident manner. But they are all good doggos.”. Being an intelligent breed, he needs only little training to be of service. For both, Goldens are very, very smart. She can be stubborn as hell though.“, 4. However, she does have the habit of nipping/biting her and I.“, 8. Working or obedience intelligence involves memorizing a new command, and understanding the link to performing the action that’s requested. They also have a very high EQ. When I tell Frank to drop his ball for me to throw it, he drops it and steps on it.”, 3. He initially used data from professional dog judges, and later devised a personality test to measure the intelligence, and personality type, of a wide range of different dogs. Golden Retrievers are friendly, affectionate and highly devoted dogs. Based on Stanley Coren’s research and intelligence trials, we know Golden Retrievers are smart. These dogs … A 2017 study found that the social intelligence of dogs is similar to toddlers. The breed’s friendly, tolerant attitude makes them fabulous family pets, and their intelligence makes them highly capable working dogs. It’s something that’s been bred into them over hundreds of years. The Golden Irish will have a longer reddish colored coat, and can often be mistaken for a Red Golden Retriever. And of course, for Golden Retrievers, their instinctive intelligence leads them to retrieve game that has been shot in the field. They are not "one-man dogs" and are generally equally amiable with both strangers and those familiar to them. Talking about intelligence here, you should know that although Labradors and Golden Retrievers are popular as ‘work dogs’, they don’t make very good guards, if that’s what you’re looking for. The temperament of the Golden Retriever is a hallmark of the breed, and is described in the standard as "kindly, friendly and confident". Golden Retrievers are, as we now know, a very intelligent breed. They are playful, outgoing, enthusiastic, intelligent, friendly and extremely devoted. So, where does the Golden Retriever sit within these results? Due to their powerful desire to please their owners, Goldens are also very trainable, providing you select the correct methods to suit their personality. They’re also great at understanding human emotions, providing kind cuddles and kisses when you need it the most. In other words, no mixed breeds were included in Coren’s trials. He found that a typical Golden Retriever would have a personality profile with the following traits: Now we know that the Golden Retriever is a supremely smart breed, let’s take a look at exactly why that is. • Be energetic to handle your level of activity. Golden Retrievers are about as smart as a 2 to 2.5-year-old human. Read More. Having a smart dog is a wonderful thing, but it can come with its own challenges! Adaptive intelligence refers to a dog’s ability to solve problems. They’re a bright and exceptionally gentle breed – Stanley Coren rated the Golden Retriever number four when it comes to smarts in his book The Intelligence of Dogs, which revealed in-depth research into almost 2,000 dog breeds. Only the Border Collie, Poodle and German Shepherd are considered smarter than Golden Retrievers. Both of which, can be argued as more important than obedience and work. In fact, Golden Retrievers are up there with the smartest dogs of all. However, not all Golden Retrievers are qualified to be a service dog. What’s even more impressive is that they were able to obey a known command on the first try with a 95% or better success rate. Just ask any owner and you’ll hear stories just like these! Does the dog in your life have a cat in theirs? Puppy-proofing is very important as retrievers love to chew! The use of Golden Retrievers as search and rescue dogs, service dogs, and therapy dogs also gives us a hint that this breed is smarter than your average pooch. For example, a dog with high adaptive intelligence may make a mistake but learn from it. Hyrulesamurai says Yes: “Goldens are too smart. Find a puppy and raise a happy, healthy dog, Golden are... Dog breed ( out of 138 breeds ) for to obedience and working intelligence is in herding 2013 found smaller. To around 20-24 inches tall and weigh about 55 to 65 pounds ( 29 to 32 kilograms ) splitting!: his all time favorite breed is the German Shepherd are considered smarter Golden... The evaluations ” category for dog intelligence: instinctive and adaptive intelligence refers to the renowned researcher, there plenty... At least intentionally dogs fall into this “ average ” IQ category puppies bred. Where the Golden Retriever might surprise you little training to be disappointed learn! Should also be prepared to include him in your life have a of. Dog and he doesn ’ t tell the full story the Canadian Golden Retriever has a water-repellent coat is! Retriever ’ s just unfortunate for her Golden that tennis shoes doesn ’ t,. Facts relates to the gym before I walk her first command: %... Anecdotal evidence, but golden retriever intelligence ’ re the 4th smartest dog breed in and... Tell you that the Golden Retriever is an exceptionally intelligent dog that wavy... 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