Posted on 06/30/2009 12:17:56 PM PDT by JoeProBono
These are the most intelligent and least intelligent dogs, according to The Intelligence of Dogs by Stanley Coren.
Over 200 professional dog obedience judges, ranked 110 dog breeds on the basis of their intelligence.
Coren is a dog expert and a professor of psychology at the University of British Columbia. Here are his top and bottom choices.
MOST INTELLIGENT
1. Border collie
The border collie is energetic, intelligent, keen, alert and responsive. An intense worker of great tractability, it is affectionate toward friends but may be sensibly reserved toward strangers. When approached, the border collie stands its ground.
2. Poodle
A very active, happy, gay, intelligent, smart and elegant-looking dog, squarely built, well proportioned, carrying itself proudly. Properly clipped and carefully groomed, the poodle has about him an air of distinction and dignity peculiar to himself. It is known for its intelligence, his lively, mischievous sense of humour and his willingness to please.
3. German Shepherd
The German shepherd Dog is hailed as the worlds leading police, guard and military dog; but there is more to this dependable breed is more than its 9-to-5 job. Consistently one of the United States most popular breeds, according to AKC Registration Statistics, tThe German shepherd is also a loving family companion, herder and show competitor. The breed It is approachable, direct and fearless, with a strong, muscular body.
4. Golden Retriever
The golden retriever is intelligence and possesses an eager to please attitude. The working ability that has made the golden retriever such a useful hunting companion also makes it an ideal guide, assistance, and search-and-rescue dog. The golden-coloured coat is the hallmark of this versatile breed gold.
5. Doberman Pinscher
A square, medium-sized dog, the Doberman pinscher is muscular and possesses great endurance and speed. The Doberman is He is elegant in appearance and reflects great nobility and temperament. The properly bred and trained Doberman is a friend and guardian. Police and military want the Doberman on their forces because of its , and his intelligence and ability to absorb and retain training have brought him into demand as a police and war dog.
LEAST INTELLIGENT
1. Afghan hound
Although many refer to the Afghan as the "king of dogs", but its low obedience level is well known among dog breeders and trainers.The Afghan is an excellent hound (hunting by sight), and it remains popular as a show dog.
2. Basenji
The Basenji is known as the "barkless dog" because it makes a sound like a yodel.It also acts like a cat, grooming itself and staring out the window for hours! The Basenji can be temperamental and hard to train.
3. Bulldog
The bulldog is loose-jointed with a shuffling gate and massive, short-faced head. A medium-sized dog, it is not your typical lap dog, but would like to be. The bulldog is popular due to its lovable and gentle disposition and adorable wrinkles.
4.Chow Chow
The chow chow is extremely loyal to its family, but can be jealous of visitors and very stubborn. It requires a strong-willed owner and firm hand, or it will quickly take charge of the household!
5. Borzoi
The Borzoi is surprisingly cat-like in its free thinking and independent nature.It wants to keep itself clean and isn't as driven to please its master as most dogs.This makes it harder to train.
Source: Petmedsonline.org
3 yr old Black Lab guide dog for the blind belonging to one of our daughters is the brightest most loving creature known to this man. Watching her navigate through a crowded Mall with my daughter hanging on is a marvel to see.
Yep, toy fox terrier. My favorite breed. I have found them to be fairly smart. It’s amazing to me that their tiny heads can contain enough brain tissue to learn some of the things that they can be taught, lol.
Seems the standard for doggy intelligence is how robotic they can be rendered via training. It is fine to pursue this attribute as a doggy virtue, but the terminology is perhaps not the best linguistic malformation to promote.
Yup.
That is hysterical. I have never known a large dog (even females) that I would say had effeminate mannerisms. I have known dogs who like to strut around after their bath or grooming, though.
A collie/Saint Bernard? What does THAT look like?
Mine’s extremely independent and ferociously protective for 3 or 4 lbs.
Has the 275lb mastiff scared to death of her, under her thumb. Cute to watch her curl up and sleep in him, ‘defending’ him.
I have two border collies that look at you with the most human eye contact you can imagine in a dog. I swear sometimes I can hear them laughing behind my back.
Loyal and very friendly to family and friends. She wouldn't let the mailman/UPS/FedEx drivers out of their vehicles, though. :) She could stand next to the driver's door and see your lap if you were in the average car.
My parents bought a male mastiff after I left home.
Dumb as a box of rocks.
Weinie
My first wife had a Vizsla when we met. Dog was too smart for his own good. A real houdini when it came to getting out of the yard. We got home late one night, and he had stolen dog food off of a neighbors porch and brought it home and made his own supper.
Smartests dogs we ever owned were Standard Schnauzers, they never missed a trick.
Currently we own the world’s biggest Maltese at 14 pounds. Bright enough for a lapdog. He does a variety of little doggy tricks, including dancing like a circus dog. His best trick is turning into a Tasmanium Devil when you step on him.
I had a yellow lab stay with me a week while her folks were out of town. I’ve never met a smarter dog. She would run up the stairs, adjust herself at the landing and bark to alert me that my land line was ringing if I went out to get the mail and chatted with a neighbor or any other such thing. She was a really bright girl.
Add Irish Setter to the Stupid List
Lead Paint?
I thought Jack Russell would be in top 5. YLSNED
My daughter has a golden that is dumber than either of my cocker spaniels. Lacey,our female cocker, is extremely intelligant. She can work out all sorts of things to acheieve what she wants even though she is blind.
I once knew a GS who understood English and Spanish. Kind of intimidating.
My two Basenji’s are scary smart. I think the folks that write this stuff mistake obedience with intelligence.
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