I love Irish Setters and English orange beltons - really beautiful animals.
If you want REAL brains - get a German Shepherd. They can think - really.
I'll match your GSD brain for brain with my Dobies. They can do everything the Shepherds can do with a lot more finesse.
And look so handsome doing it!
(They DO NOT have the tenacity of the GSDs {stubborness} which
MIGHT be an asset in some cases. Man, are those German Shepherds STUBBORN!)
Yes they are very intelligent. That's why so many are trained to be police dogs. I've had three and they are great dogs.