Does a dog's ability to fetch indicate intelligence?

Yes, a dog's ability to fetch, particularly in complex scenarios, does indicate intelligence. It showcases a dog's working memory to remember the object, selective attention to focus on the task, and problem-solving skills to retrieve it. Breeds often ranked highest in intelligence, like Border Collies (often considered the smartest dog breed) and Poodles, excel at such tasks due to their strong cognitive abilities and trainability. Explore our full article for a deeper dive into canine intelligence and how it relates to various behaviors.