Hi Sarah!

What breed is Rupert? It sounds like you have three very different dogs at home?  
I have just bought my first dog, a nova scotia duck tolling retriever, and she learns superquick (both good and bad behavior), which is typical for the breed. They have about the same energy level as a border collie, and like you say; if I don't find something for her to do, then she'll find something to entertain herself. So far, her favorite thing to do when she's bored is to find some paper and chew it. The second best thing is my socks.  

I don't have much experience with collies, Kerriebaby, so I can't really tell you much about them, but Poppy sounds like a real catch! How old is she?

PS: If something seems funny about my English, there probably is.. I'm from Norway, and my English is really rusty  

Miriam and Josie

I would have to say being a jack russell owner that jack russell are my favorite breed of dog they are very, very intelligent i have no problem training my jack russell. I learned her how to sit within a week of bringing her home.  She is now 8mths old and knows lots of commands and tricks. She makes me so proud and we always work well as a team.

Im sticking with rough collies. But then as some have already said, there are ultra smart dogs and totally thick ones in the same breed and indeed the same litter. And whereas a breed maybe great at sheep herding, it may be considered thick because it cant trail scent and vice versa.

Border Collies are smartest, but only if they are kept busy at all times. THey are often mistaken for stupid as they've gotten so bored they've learnta hilarious amount of bad habits!!!!
I couldnt ask for a better behaved dog!!

Honey my cross border collie learns slow, and remembers even slower!!

Cody my border terrier is 8 weeks 2 days old, he already knows Sit, come, no, leave it and generally deposits in the right place!!!
We'll see whos better behaved!!

I'd imagine it would also depend on the definition of 'intelligence' when it came to dogs - are we talking ease of training? Or the complexity of training that can be undertaken?  Or the dogs' ability to survive?  Or adaptability?

I once watched a Komondor in an obedience trial (for CD, I think - in the States - it could have been advanced CD - I don't think it was UD, but it could have been, I guess).  It was May, and VERY hot, and the obedience ring was in direct sunlight.  Komondors have SERIOUSLY thick, big coats.  It was the long down stay (this is where the dog has to go down, and stay whilst the owner walks away, and is out of sight for 10 minutes). 

As I say, it was very hot.  After a couple of minutes, the dog stood up, walked to a shady spot under a tent and resumed the long down stay.  Needless to say, the dog failed.  Still, it didn't collapse from heat stroke!

I'm not implying that the Kom is the smartest dog; I'm just pointing out the potential difference between 'training' and 'sense'.

Cheers.

i was taught that an obedient dog does not always mean an intelligent dog, they will do as they are told as they are willing to please- e.g Guide dog for the blind.& will follow & remeber instructions.
an intelligent dog is one which will work things out for themselves.
 i found the list of most intelligent dogs quite interesting as my rottie (cant remeber where rotts came as so far back in the thread!!- but very high) is as thick as the proverbial!!!
howver my dane (quite low down in the list) is scarily clever.
they have both had intelligence tests performed on them- mainly cuz no-one beleives how thick Callum is!!!!
however i have done obedience & agility with them both (Callum also did flyball before his health problems)
Clara was a nightmare to train as she would work out how to get out of doing work & even at 9 has all the trainers eating out of her paw, whereas Callum is doing really really well at obedience.because he just does what i say & follows me blindly as he is so eager to please.
this backs up my theory that intelligence does not go hand in hand in obedience & following instructions.
ps i love the brainy tree analogy. Callum missed ALL the clever branches, but he did hit all the handsome branches

I think Kerrie is the springer in that scenario! Poppy refuses to sit in the rain too!