Smart & Dumb Dogs

[very_vizsla]

I've been reading this blog called itchmo, over the past fews days. they have posted some info on the smartest & stupidest dog breeds according to vet dr. stanley coren. here are the links to the articles, what do you think? i have to agree with the border collie being the smartest.

http://itchmo.com/read/the-top-10-most-intelligent-dogs_20070705

http://itchmo.com/read/top-10-not-so-obedient-dog-breeds_20070706

 

[CanadianK9]

A dogs ability to preform trained behaviours comes not from the dog, but the skill and knowledge of the handler. And above all else I would say they are talented in their own respective fields. Remember what we classify as "intelligence" or "smarts" is a dogs ability to effectively preform behaviours we have shaped and trained.

 

[Dizzy]

That's the very PC answer k9

But I reckon dogs are like people - some have it, and some don't.

Doesn't make them any less dog - just means they're all different like us.

Some excel in being fluffy and entertaining, and some excel in performing tasks - all equally loved, just in different ways.

 

[MafiaPrincess]

Not every dog is willing to please. Many breeds aren't willing to please. So calling a dog smart or dumb is based on something some breeds may have no desire to do is kind of stupid.

The list for 'smart' and 'dumb' meh. Dogs willing to please dogs least likely to.. so?

 

[CanadianK9]

Well how could you base intelligence on JUST trained ability? I mean there could be 2 carbon copy dogs, equal in intelligence, and the one with the better trainer/handler is going to win no matter what because the dog has been taught more clearly and consistantly how to preform the desired task.

 

[CanadianK9]

And just for the record dogs ive had are on the upper part of the list, so im not just saying this because i dont like the list or anything, i truly believe you cannot base intelligence purely on human shaped behaviours.

 

[Dizzy]

I don't agree with the list - but I do think some dogs are more intelligent than others.

Take 5 dogs - even of the same breed - and one trainer - and chances are they will all learn at their own rate - some will excel and some won't.

Take Bodhi for eg - she's willing to please, and is trainable, but I wouldn't say she's the brightest bulb in the box haha.

Unlike our past Border Collie.

Saying all dogs have equal intelligence is pretty much denying their individuality.

 

[CanadianK9]

I never discussed what I figured the "intelligence of all dogs" is, I merely said you cannot base a dogs full intelligence on human shaped behaviours, remember everything you are training a dog is what YOU are desiring it to do, and sad fact is crappy teacher = crappy end result. In order for me to even remotely believe this list there would have to be many other varyables not just ability to preform repetitive human shaped behaviours.

 

[ACooper]

Well I will have to say that a few of the dogs on the "not so obedient" list I have been around I would agree with, some I have never had any contact with and wouldn't know. Not going to name them off, but being "not so obedient" would not mean "stupid" just more independent

And as to the smart/dumb thing...............dogs are like children in that sense, some learn better than others. It is not for lack of wanting to please all the time, it is just they don't 'get it' as quickly.

I have had dogs of the same breed, and one learned much more quickly than the other. I wouldn't call either stupid, but the way I trained sunk in to one easier than the other.

 

[Sunnierhawk0]

Pearl says she is way smarter than Naughty haha

Agreed, it depends upon the dog.. I have met some very cowardly Rottweilers and some very smart mastiffs. Just goes with the territory.

 

[BostonBanker]

i truly believe you cannot base intelligence purely on human shaped behaviours.

I do agree with you; however, if I remember correctly, that is just what this list did. It is a decent list of dogs ranked based upon their ability and desire to learn human commands and respond appropriately. To me, that had very little to do with "intelligence". A sighthound, like the Afghan (ranked "dumbest" if I remember correctly) may not be able to do an emergency down for a mile away like a border collie, but is capable of following the track of fleeing prey, judge distance and speed, and catch the animal. It's a great survival skill and takes abilities that some of the "smarter" breeds may not have in such abundence. Many of the "dumb" breeds are by nature going to have better survival skills because they haven't had their instincts dumbed down to make them more "user-friendly".

 

[CanadianK9]

And above all else I would say they are talented in their own respective fields.

been covered too boston

 

[dr2little]

Normally I LOVE Stanleys books but this book is one I wish he'd never written. It's far too unscientific and has been the basis for some pretty false "truths" and opinions.

There are very few breeds that I haven't trained and even fewer that fit any kind of sterotypical mold.

I've had some of the bottom of his list be at the top of my class and visa versa.

I believe that what motivates one (be it structured or natural behavior), may not motivate another. They all have their strengths and weaknesses....and that includes Border Collies and Afghan hounds.

 

[Whisper]

When I think of this I think of Filas- amazingly intelligent and attentive creatures but most would fail miserably at obedience because that's just not their cup of tea. They don't respond to commands without further consideration like a lot of breeds but that doesn't mean they're not intelligent.

 

[bubbatd]

Oddly enough the smart list have all the breeds I like ( Poodle has to be Standard ) .... as the the other list , I'm surprised Irish Setter wasn't listed !

 

[sparks19]

Well I for one DO believe there are smarter and dumber dogs We have a perfect example of that.

Belle is a Coonhound.... Her instinct is to tree critters.Which she will.... sorta..... if a squirrel is running.... she will chase.... but out of sight out of mind definately applies here. She has an attention span about an inch long. She gets it up the tree but then she might see something shiny and get distracted lol.

to be honest.... no matter how much training or who trained her.... she could never be the "hunting dog" she is supposed to be. In Fact, I am certain that is how she became a stray lol.

Not to mention how many times she whacks her head on the wall that has been there since the day she came to this house LOL

 

[squirtsmom]

The book is c rap.

 

[dr2little]

Well I for one DO believe there are smarter and dumber dogs We have a perfect example of that.

Belle is a Coonhound.... Her instinct is to tree critters.Which she will.... sorta..... if a squirrel is running.... she will chase.... but out of sight out of mind definately applies here. She has an attention span about an inch long. She gets it up the tree but then she might see something shiny and get distracted lol.

to be honest.... no matter how much training or who trained her.... she could never be the "hunting dog" she is supposed to be. In Fact, I am certain that is how she became a stray lol.

Not to mention how many times she whacks her head on the wall that has been there since the day she came to this house LOL

Maybe, but that has less to do with her breed and more to do with her as an individual or the training that she's had.

 

[sparks19]

Maybe, but that has less to do with her breed and more to do with her as an individual or the training that she's had.

Oh well yes I should have stated that I do not believe a breed as a whole is dumber than another breed.... but I definately think there are some dogs who are just given less in the brains department than others BUT.... what she lacks in the head she definitely makes up for in the heart.

 

[dr2little]

Oh well yes I should have stated that I do not believe a breed as a whole is dumber than another breed.... but I definately think there are some dogs who are just given less in the brains department than others BUT.... what she lacks in the head she definitely makes up for in the heart.

I completely agree sparks. I have 2 brusselsfor example. One who picks things up in 1 or 2 reps, the other is very sweet, lovable and just as precious but considerably slower to figure things out.