Tuesday, December 05, 2006

How smart is your dog?

According to Stanley Coren, author of The Intelligence of Dogs, there are three distinct types of intelligence for canines:

1. Adaptive Intelligence - The dog's capacity for learning, his problem solving ability, and memory

2. Instinctive Intelligence - inherited areas of behavioral specialization that are unique to each dog

3. Working / Obediance Intelligence - the overall trainability of the dog

A survey was conducted by canine trainers to determine which breeds were the most intelligent. Canine trainers ranked the breeds by how quickly a dog could learn a new command (less than five repetitions) and how often they obeyed the first command given. The brightest breeds are as follows:

1. Border Collie
2. Poodle
3. German Shepherd
4. Golden Retriever
5. Doberman Pinscher
6. Shetland Sheepdog
7. Labrador Retriever
8. Papillon
9. Rottweiler
10. Australian Cattle Dog

In the same respect, the so-called dumbest dogs are:

1. Shih Tzu
2. Basset Hound
3. Mastiff / Beagle (tie)
4. Pekingese
5. Bloodhound
6. Borzoi
7. Chow Chow
8. Bulldog
9. Basenji
10. Afghan Hound


If you're curious as to whether or not this is true, why not try performing the IQ tests at home with your own canine friend? Coren has graciously uploaded his tests online, and they come with video demonstrations to make your life easier. Feel free to post your results here.

17 comments:

Anonymous said...

My mum says she is not sure about the accuracy of these tests, on account of the Labrador she walks for an old lady is the dumbest dog in the universe, and she also knows a Shih Tzu called Woody who is very clever. She would also like to add that her mum has Scottish Terriers and they would come top in a test for Most Stubborn Dog.

Personally, I hate all dogs and just keep away from them whenever possible. Cats rule!

The Meezers or Billy said...

does they haf one for different breeds of cats?

KXBC said...

My fav breed of dogs come in as the brainiest. Woot! But I bet the moggy dogs are even more intelligent, just like us moggy cats.

Susie said...

What happens if us cats take the test?

WAcKy WedNeSDay is back!

Anonymous said...

My mom thinks greyhounds look pretty cool - did it say anything about them?

Zeus said...

I didn't see anything about cats, but that doesn't mean there isn't anything out there pertaining to our intelligence. I will have to do a little detective work to find out!

As for greyhounds, it didn't say anything in regards to that breed. However, that doesn't mean anything!

Anonymous said...

My human says that most of the time the dogs that humans think are dumb are actually smart--they're thinking for themselves. Trainers always say that! Smart dogs may or may not be smart!

Cats--there are no intelligence tests for cats because humans aren't smart enough to create one for our superior intellect...

Gattina said...

I hope you don't get all dog owners of the second category on your back ! I will try the test for myself, because I only have four cats and no dog. If I do the test with my cats the test would explode because they are sooooo intelligent.
As I found your name several times in cat concerning blogs, I wonder if you wouldn't like to join "Cats on Tuesday" Once a week all cat lovers put a text or a picture or both in their blog. More infos are on my blog.

Justin said...

hey, according to my Mom, Jack is good for nothing!! but I don't think my other 2 dogs are as dumb as Jack..LOL!!
And hey, I had come across this post on pet names. I hope u'll like it too..

take care
bye.

Carmen said...

i have no dog, and Pooh is too offended that I asked him to take the test. :)

Anonymous said...

My Mom has a maltese who's not very bright. I should tell her to try this test!

Kukka-Maria said...

Wait a second, Meezers...are you suggesting you want proof Siamese are a superior breed?

Well, a plump royal trumps a meezer any day!

The Crew said...

Interesting to note that my Sister B's dogs, both Bichon Frise, are not listed, which means they must fall in mid-range somewhere. I'll give them the IQ test next time they come over, provided I can stay calm enough to be around my nemesis, Shasta, long enough to finish her test!

George

Hot(M)BC said...

But what about cats intelligence? Aren't they smart enough to know cats are smarter than dogs?
~~ Mini

Pink Chihuahua Princess said...

Hey, chi's aren't on either list. This must mean that they are very, very good. :)

Renee Nefe said...

Lilly is a very smart dog when it comes to most of what was on the test...but she came running when I called her "refrigerator"...she'll also come running if you call her "dumb dumb" or anything in the right tone. That gave her only 3 points.
But when it comes to finding treats...that dog knows. She's also got a great memory as she can find her own toys and does great finding DD when she's hiding. DH will come and say "Where's Sissy?" and Lilly will point her out every time.

Anonymous said...

My girl says that I am quite a smartypants. :) We also are feline lovers and enjoy your blog!