Posted on 10/16/2009 3:33:52 PM PDT by Lorianne
The CBS "Early Show" ran a story 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.
Poodles here. I think they are #2 on the ‘official’ smart list. We are now parents to two youngsters.
What? Helen Thomas didn’t make the dumbest?
Did anyone rank the intelligence (or lack thereof) of the voters?
As far as I’m concerned my miniature schnauzer is one smart cookie.
My sisters dog, a basset hound, is dam sure the dumbest thing I’ve ever seen.
Had an Irish Setter when I was a kid....beautiful, but totally the dumbest dog on earth......
Mutts don't qualify as a breed.
Poodles are #1 in this household. My present tri-color male is the smartest I have ever owned. Too smart for their own good.
I have an 8-month old papillon. Bright little girl. My other dog is a min-pin, nearly 9 years old and is fairly bright, as well. Both are very good tempered pups.
It's got some problems in individual rankings and close rankings (i.e. 3rd vs 4th) because the tests they used were not very comprehensive and didn't take into account the different breeds' skills.
But there's really not much question about the extreme ends of the list. Border Collies are scary smart (to the extent that you DON'T want one if you're not an experienced dog owner and dedicated to LOTS of active dog sports), and Afghan Hounds are so stupid it's a wonder they remember to breathe. A school friend of mine bred and showed Afghans, and I have never seen so much stupidity concentrated in one place in my life.
My inclination would be to rate the guide dog breeds (Shepherds, Labs, Goldens) as the all around smartest in terms of being most useful and adaptable. They have to be to be guide dogs. Border collies would make lousy guide dogs because they are obsessive-compulsive and hyperactive as well as being smart.
The Border Collie came in at #1 smartest...no surprise there....
Oh soooo many names come to mind for that photo.
“My inclination would be to rate the guide dog breeds (Shepherds, Labs, Goldens) as the all around smartest in terms of being most useful and adaptable.”
Yep, I totally agree with that. Retrievers are just the best dogs....
Thanks. That just made my day.
There was an Irish Setter male who started Agility classes at the same time as my little Chocolate Lab. She went all the way through the various levels in two associations, when I retired her she was running Masters in AKC and Advanced in USDAA . . . and that poor Irish Setter was still trying to get his FIRST Novice qualifying score. He would get out on the course, forget why he was there, and wander around aimlessly, sniffing at stuff with a vacant look on his face.
He was a monumentally dumb dog.
They can be sensitive little cusses, our 2 YO female is shy, our little male 4mo. is a wild thing.. sweet, but a little stinker. way to smart sometimes. lol
I have a miniature schnauzer as well and agree that it's a very smart breed and very friendly too - although considers herself the center of the universe. I also had a basset hound which lived to be twelve and then had to be put down due to crippling arthritis. he, god bless his soul, was dumb as a brick but equally friendly and lovable. He was a loyal and gentle friend for my children while they were growing up.
oh, that is just wrong
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