According to a recent study, the average dog can understand up to 250 words and gestures, and can even count to five.

Renowned dog expert Stanley Coren reviewed studies into how dogs think, including several in which tests designed to gauge the development of toddlers were adapted to the dog world

The top dogs in order of IQ are border collies; poodles; German shepherds; golden retrievers; Dobermans; Shetland sheepdogs; and Labrador retrievers.

The lowest ranking dogs include Afghan hounds, Bassett hounds; bulldogs; and beagles.

Coren pointed out that sometimes a less intelligent dog makes a better pet, since a smarter dog will not only learn what its owner wants it to know, but will also learn everything it can get away with.

Source: examiner.com