The average dog is as smart as a 2-year-old kid, able to comprehend more than 150 words, count to five and knowingly deceive a loving owner, according to an article in the new issue of Miller-McCune magazine.

But psychologist and leading canine researcher Stanley Coren believes "super dogs" can understand 250 words, the article continues.

By studying data from 208 dog-obedience judges in the U.S. and Canada, Coren created this list of the seven smartest breeds:

1. Border collies
2. Poodles
3. German shepherds
4. Golden retrievers
5. Dobermans
6. Shetland sheepdogs
7. Labrador retrievers

-- Sandra M. Klepach, SKlepach@News-Herald.com