Posted on 04/28/2008 1:05:46 PM PDT by Clint N. Suhks
The CBS "Early Show" ran a story this week about dogs and their intelligence, or lack thereof. In the story, they shared their list of the top 10 smartest and top 10 dumbest dog breeds. These were their picks.
#10 Dumbest: The Basset Hound may be so sad-eyed because it was ranked the tenth least intelligent dog breed.
2 of 20 : #10 Smartest: The immensely trainable Australian Cattle Dog was called the tenth smartest breed. 
3 of 20 : #9 Dumbest: Don't tell the Westminster Kennel Club, but Uno, the beagle who won their 131st annual dog show, belongs to the ninth least intelligent dog breed. 
4 of 20 : #9 Smartest: The Rottweiler was called the ninth smartest breed. This one looks a tad surprised by the ranking. 
5 of 20 : #8 Dumbest: This Mastiff hangs its head in shame over being ranked the eighth least intelligent dog breed. 
6 of 20 : #8 Smartest: The Papillon, ranked eighth smartest, floats like a butterfly and knows its ABC's. 
7 of 20 : #7 Dumbest: The Pekingese is more famous for its "dustmop" look when groomed correctly. This one must be getting a haircut to avoid being associated with the seventh stupidest dog breed. 
8 of 20 : #7 Smartest: The most popular dog breed in the nation is also the seventh smartest: the Labrador Retriever. 
9 of 20 : #6 Dumbest: We know the Bloodhound has a brain somewhere beneath all those lovable wrinkles, but the "Early Show" rankings had them pulling sixth among the dumbest breeds. 
10 of 20 : #6 Smartest: The Shetland Sheepdog's agility, as shown here, helped it rank sixth smartest. 
11 of 20 : #5 Dumbest: Borzois are considered the fifth least intelligent dogs. 
12 of 20 : #5 Smartest: The Doberman Pinscher's intelligence is on full display here on a rescue mission. 
13 of 20 : #4 Dumbest: This Chow Chow can live with being considered the fourth least intelligent breed, so long as you keep its hair nice and fluffy. 
14 of 20 : #4 Smartest: Golden Retrievers were fourth on the list of smart dogs. 
15 of 20 : #3 Dumbest: The Bulldog was rated the third stupidest dog breed. 
16 of 20 : #3 Smartest: Loyal workhorses, the German Shepherds were ranked as the third smartest breed. 
17 of 20 : #2 Dumbest: The Basenji is considered the second least intelligent dog breed, but hey, it could be worse. 
18 of 20 : #2 Smartest: Love 'em or hate 'em, Poodles were ranked as the second smartest dog breed out there. 
19 of 20 : #1 Dumbest: Stylish and mysteriously ancient, the Afghan Hound nonetheless merits the dubious honor of being ranked the single least intelligent dog breed. 
20 of 20 : #1 Smartest: The Border Collie was ranked the single smartest dog breed. Do you think this one looks just a little bit proud of it? 
I can attest to the Chows being stupid. had 2 of them at the same time and they almost can’t be trained.
My red doberman was super intelligent. Basic training for him was only 2 weeks.
But poodles? Come on. I’ve seen some really stupid ones.
Reminds me of this Bud Light ad.
I have a Golden Retriever who will be two in June and that boy is the smartest Golden I’ve ever had. Might be the smartest dog I’ve ever had, and I’ve owned four German Sheperds.
So, within a breed, there can be large variance in intelligence.
We've always had Chesapeake Retrievers and Mrs Suhks has been hinting around for a lap dog.
A small Border Collie might do the trick.
*Also known as The Triborough Wreckin' Ball, The Pride of Astoria and Kid Danger!
Well according to this, Psycho Dog is one of the 4th dumbest... but since she is half and half what would that make her?
:-)
They have to be the cutest!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What about people who buy poodles?
Where do they rank?
Maybe a show should be done on the media and the politicians too.
Dogs have owners, Cats have staff.
I think they missed one. I didn’t see the Pelosi listed there among the dumber breeds...;’}
Clearly an anti-hound survey (Houndist?) ;^)
In any case, from MY personal experience, the beagles and basset hounds have been WAY smarter than the Labs/Retrievers have ever dreamed of being.
And my wife and I have a good bit of experience with all three breeds.
I’ve got a Lab and am planning to train her to be an avalanche search and rescue dog. She seems to be pretty smart (especially about earning treats and hanging around people).
Forget a border collie as a lap dog.
They have to be one of the most active breeds.
We got one, a rescue, not knowing how active they are. Not good house dogs and we don’t have a fenced yard.
Managed to keep her somewhat happy with puzzles in the evenings and walks on weekends.
But when she got bored she’d chew the furniture. Common I’ve learned.
Oh, one more negative, they shed like mad.
Our Weims are smart...they know how to find the most comfortable chair, bed, or sofa and claim it as “their space.”
Amen, brother.
Chows aren’t dumb, they’re just misunderstood.
You have to remember that they were herded in droves across Asia and Eastern Europe by Genghis Khan’s mongol warriors as a food source, thus they are very wary of humans and don’t want to do what you say.
I trained my daughter’s chow by
1. never approaching him from behind and
2. by carrying a make-believe cast iron skillet in my hand while walking him. Every time he pulled on the leash, I pretend whopped him over the head with the pretend skillet, with pretend sound effects. In no time at all, he was walking like a gentleman and reliably sitting and staying. Like cats, I discovered, Chows are visual. They get mental images rather than verbal commands. Once you understand how to talk to them, they’re fine obedient dogs.
re: Goldens
My family has raised several Golden Retrievers over the past 25 years and I would say they are very very smart dogs - they learn things instantly and you find them doing and thinking of things you wouldn’t expect. They have surprised me many times and made me wonder who is the “master” in the relationship...... :^) I wouldn’t ding labs for all-around loveability, adorability and fun, but the ones I’ve been around (quite a bit, for years at a time) did not seem nearly as clever.
Not a scientific sample to be sure, and I love labs, they’re wonderful doggies..... but I’m not at all surprised to see Golden Retrievers listed in the top 4.
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