They are Australian Sheppards. I can't begin to tell you how smart they are. Rainy, the one with her paws crosses, will sit and "talk" to you, I know she is trying desperately to form words, I've heard her make the same sounds repeatedly.
And Blizzard is the other big fat one. Last weekend, my daughter had some friends over for a sleep-over. They slept upstairs, Blizzard slept all night at the foot of the stairs as their guard dog. There was a news story about a dog in Florida who stayed with some lost little boy until he was found. This was just within the last week or so. I totally believe it and have no doubt Blizzard would do the same for my daughter.
And the list of human words they understand is amazing. I bet they know several hundred words, you know, like ball, toy, snack, garage, truck, stop, etc... Even turn right and turn left, when we are out walking. I'm not kidding. It makes walking with them so much easier.