Posted on 01/26/2017 11:09:29 AM PST by blam
There’s no easy way to rate dog intelligence.
As psychologist Stanley Coren wrote back in the 90s, there’s adaptive intelligence (i.e., figuring stuff out), working intelligence (i.e., following orders), and instinctive intelligence (i.e., innate talent) — not to mention spatial intelligence, kinesthetic intelligence, interpersonal intelligence, and more.
Indeed, as animal behaviorist Frans de Waal has argued, humans tend to judge animal intelligence in limited and unfair terms and often bungle the experiment.
While labs at Yale, Duke, and around the world are studying this question, for now we do at least have data on one metric: working intelligence.
Coren, in his book, "The Intelligence of Dogs," featured the results of a lengthy survey of 199 dog obedience judges. The responses, he said, were remarkably consistent; however, he noted that many judges pointed out that there are exceptions in every breed and that a lot comes down to training.
Here’s what he found:
TOP TIER—the brightest working dogs, who tend to learn a new command in less than five seconds and obey at least 95% of the time.
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
(snip)
(Excerpt) Read more at businessinsider.com ...
"Okay, so I'm not very smart but AM I CUTE OR WHAT?!!!"
Anyone know if border collies have similar hip issues as the retrievers and shepards sometimes exhibit?
Our Rottweiler sleeps in the bedroom doorway when he’s not on the bed at our feet.He’s a well socialized guy but at home he’s all about our security.
I agree with you.
I have had a lot of dogs in my life.
Currently have 2 australian shepherds and they are exceptionally bright.
Our Dobermans are almost too smart.
One stage from being able to read and write (if they only had thumbs! Like the Beggin’ Strips commercial).
That’s why us old people love our small lapdogs. We grow old together..................
We did too, But she was the sweetest creature ever. We lost her two years ago 2/1...We miss her terribly. We have two clown dogs, part beagle part Shepherd. One is whip smart, the other, well, not so much.
“Border Collies are very smart — too smart. I tried one once, and she was just too much for me”
Cowboys didn’t like their horses too smart either. Smart horses were cagey and in the midst of a cattle herd could second guess the rider and get one or both of them gored or worse. The perfect mount was one that would obey completely.
Just like people...................
The smartest dog I ever owned was a mutt. Had mixed everything in him.
You could tell him to go get his leash and he would! We did not train him! Tell him to go get a certain toy and he’d get it! Football, baseball, tennis ball, he knew the difference, and again we did not train him to do it...................
I have a Heeler. It is definitely the smartest dog I’ve owned...but he is also the most rambunctious. He’s GOT to be doing something or he can get in trouble fast.
Funny, we have a Chihuahua, too. When it’s bath time, the Chi will try to run and hide. The Heeler will “herd” him to the corner for us on his own.
So cute.
“Apparently Labs come in two kinds: Super smart or super stupid.”
LOL, very true. Thankfully ours was one of the super-smart ones.
Basset hounds demand a retest..as soon as they finish their naps.
miniature schnauzers may look ridiculous but they are smart! i have a friend with miniature schnauzers. he has 4 university degrees and his little woofers all boss him around
42nd! Wow! My Aussie is so friggin smart. They should be at the very least in the top 10.
Had a Border Collie and still have a Golden. The Border Collie was just as smart as a whip. The Golden is a different kind of smart, he can almost read your mind. My new Scottie I’m afraid is at the other end of the list.
He barks at the TV when dogs are on, then goes around to look behind the TV when the dogs walk off screen. He’ll never learn.
Our little female bosses around the much older male Jack/Chi and us. LOL
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