Brains and barks

Top 10 smartest dogs: Find out if your pup made the list!

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Every dog has its own unique traits that make it stand out. At the same time, pups of the same breed often share common characteristics, such as strength, speed, or sociability. Today, we're focusing on a peculiar feature: intelligence. If you're wondering how smart your dog is, love learning about different breeds, or are just intrigued by the idea of canine IQs, this article is for you. Join us as we explore the 10 dog breeds considered the smartest in the world!

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If you're looking for a tough, hardworking, and dependable dog, the Australian Cattle Dog is a top choice! Also known as the Blue Heeler, this breed is widely recognized as one of the most intelligent. Originally bred in the 19th century, it was developed to herd cattle across long distances and rugged terrain. Experts praise its strong problem-solving skills, quick learning ability, and independent thinking.

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The Rottweiler is one of the oldest herding breeds, with origins dating back to the Roman Empire. Though often feared for their large size and powerful jaws, these dogs are much more than just muscle. Experts note that Rottweilers are quick learners, highly obedient, and excel in search, rescue, and protection work.

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If dogs went to college, the Papillon would be on the honor roll. Also known as the Continental Toy Spaniel, this breed is easily recognized by the shape of its ear fringes, which resemble wings. Known for being smart and alert, this little pup is great at learning new commands and performing complex tricks. And there’s more: Papillons are highly social dogs that get along well with people and other pets. Did you know that this was Marie Antoinette's favorite dog breed?

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These are the gentle souls of the neighborhood. Known for serving as guide and therapy dogs, this English breed is often praised for its energy, sociability, loyalty, sensitivity, anticipatory skills, and strong obedience. Perhaps that’s why the Labrador Retriever held the title of the most popular dog breed in the United States for more than 30 consecutive years!

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As its name suggests, this beautiful breed was developed to herd sheep and protect livestock. Don’t let their small size fool you—Shelties have a surprisingly powerful bark that carries over long distances. Experts highlight their loyalty and their impressive ability to learn new commands quickly and respond with great precision. Additionally, their alertness and problem-solving skills make them ideal for herding tasks.

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Let’s be honest: most of us feel a little intimidated by the piercing gaze of a Doberman Pinscher—and with good reason! These dogs are naturally protective and highly alert. The Doberman is fast, smart, and fearless, qualities that make it a preferred breed for police, military, and protection work. It might not be the friendliest dog on the block, but it's definitely sharp and focused.

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Here’s a true star: the Golden Retriever, one of the most popular dog breeds worldwide, especially as a family pet. Their friendly, affectionate, and trustworthy temperament pairs perfectly with their high intelligence and quick learning ability. Thanks to their emotional awareness and impressive cognitive skills, Golden Retrievers excel in therapy work and search-and-rescue missions.

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Do you remember Rin Tin Tin? Known worldwide as a "police dog," the German Shepherd is a hardworking and dedicated breed. While it sometimes gets a bad rap, this dog is actually very affectionate, loyal, and fiercely protective. Its intelligence ranks it among the top dog breeds, with experts highlighting its obedience, problem-solving skills, and ability to learn complex commands.

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This adorable breed ranks number 2 out of 110 in intelligence! Friendly, athletic, highly obedient, and impressively smart, Poodles were recruited by European circuses in the 18th and 19th centuries to perform amazing tricks and routines. Among their most remarkable traits are exceptional learning ability, excellent memory, and strong problem-solving skills.

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We have a winner! The Border Collie is widely recognized as the most intelligent of all dog breeds. It has it all: athleticism, energy, agility, speed, quick learning, sharp memory, excellent tracking skills, fast responses, intense focus, and outstanding problem-solving ability. In the early 2000s, a Border Collie named Chaser earned the title of "The smartest dog in the world." She shocked researchers by learning and remembering over 1,000 words linked to objects and actions!

Show me the money!

What do you call your money? Learn 11 names from greenbacks to Benjamins

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Money makes the world go round, and in the U.S., there are more ways to talk about it than you might expect. From "bucks" and "greenbacks" to "dough" and "Benjamins," Americans have come up with a colorful range of slang and idioms to refer to cash. Did you know about these 11? Which ones do you use?

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The first entry on the list is probably the most used: The word cash was first recorded in the late 1500s, and its origins can be traced through the French word casse, meaning "case" or "box."

That, in turn, comes from the Latin word capsa, which also means "case" or "coffer." Both terms refer to containers used to store money.

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This self-explanatory term has been used in the U.S. for a long time, and it refers, quite simply, to the fact that paper dollar bills are green in color.

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The slang term "greenbacks" for U.S. paper money dates back to the Civil War era. At that time, the government began printing banknotes with green ink on the back.

This distinctive color was used as a way to help prevent counterfeiting. The nickname stuck around and is still used today to refer to cash.

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Much like the slang term "green," the use of "lettuce" to describe dollar bills dates back to the early 1900s and also references their green color.

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The slang term "coin" is often used to refer to money in general, and it is not limited to just metal coins.

Possibly, this has to do with the fact that coins have been used as currency for thousands of years, making their association with money strong enough for the term to become a generic way to refer to currency.

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There are a few different theories about why the slang term "cheddar" came to mean money. One of the most widely accepted explanations links it to government-issued cheese.

This cheese, often included in welfare packages, became associated with government benefits. Over time, cheddar shifted from meaning actual cheese to representing the money or assistance people received.

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As we have seen so far, food has been a generous source of slang. The word "bread" has been used as lingo for money since the 1930s.

Food is one of the most basic reasons people need money, and the slang term "bread" likely comes from the fact that bread is a staple food in many households.

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The last food-related term, "bacon," refers to money or earnings in phrases like "bring home the bacon." This expression dates back to the early 1920s and is widely believed to come from a county fair game in which participants would win a greased pig if they managed to catch it.

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"Benjamins" is another self-explanatory money-related term. Franklin has been on the $100 bill since 1914. Less commonly, other dollar bills may also be referred to by the people depicted on them, such as Washingtons, Lincolns, Hamiltons, and Jacksons.

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An idiom used to describe a large amount of money, commonly a thousand dollars, "big one" has been a popular slang term since at least the mid-1800s.

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The word "shekels" has been used in English since at least the 1820s. It comes from the ancient shekel, a type of coin used by the Hebrews, Babylonians, and Phoenicians in ancient times.