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This isn't news to me. And not all dogs are equally intelligent. That may sound trite, but I think the observed gap between the intelligence of my various dogs only emphasizes or validates the concept of abstract thinking in canines. And further, also demonstrates that there exists individuality in dogs, and in their relative intelligence.

IOW, I once had an Afghan Hound that was dumber than an inbred snail and I was barely able to teach him basic commands. I rarely observed evidence of much original thought or obvious associations in him. Now with my GS/Border Collie mix, she was not only easily trained, she early on demonstrated she could learn cause and effect connections independently of my training. I'm talking small stuff here like understanding that when I go to a certain room in the house and drag out luggage that I'm leaving for some time, to which she becomes quite agitated. And she has been known to stow away, or at least make an attempt, in my car. The Afghan was simply never was able to put 2 and 2 together. This was tragically revealed when he failed to learn that cars are much bigger and likely to cause great harm if not avoided.

It’s sad to lose a pet that way... My boy, Nikee, was a bright but typically stubborn Miniature Pinscher. Very responsive and quick to do tricks when you bribed him with treats, but otherwise incorrigible. He always knew when you were about to try to go to work, and would lay ambush by the garage door. One day, the gardener forgot to put his baby gate back up. I believe, had I perhaps walked him more, he would have understood the danger of the street, or at least that he should stay out of it. He’d always had his run of the house, and the big back yard, so I’m sure it never even occured to him he couldn’t go wherever he wanted.

Funny you should mention Afghan Hounds . . .

A friend of mine breeds and shows them. I have NEVER seen a breed that is so consistently dumb as a box of rocks (American Cocker Spaniels can be as dumb as an Afghan, but they vary more in intelligence. I do know some smart ones). Afghans are gorgeous, but like beauty queens they've been bred for that to the exclusion of everything else.

My Labs are the opposite - they're bred to pick up ducks, and as far as the field Labs are concerned nobody cares what they look like, so long as they shed water and can run like blazes.

You are correct. Some breeds are smarter than others, generally speaking, and within any breed some dogs will be smarter than others. My Aussie Shepherd/Blue Heeler is very intelligent compared to other breeds as was my Blue Heeler/German Shepherd companion.
I have owned many dogs, and they were/are distinct personalities, if you will.