Brains and Beauty

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Brains and Beauty

Pet Parent's Prejudice
Dog owners usually think their dog is the best looking dog
on the block and possibly the smartest. And, why not. Parenting
does come with some self appointed license to determine what
constitutes brains or beauty. As we all know, cute or talent
is in the eye of the beholder. Some dog owners think their
dog a genius for just not going potty in the house!

From left to right, Spencer, Roxy and my boy, Fraser who was named after my GSD above, in his honor. Dobermans are rated #5 and Poodles are rated #2 although you cannot gauge IQ by the way Roxy is sitting(copyright 2008 Diane Rich)

My Shallow Side
As a trainer and behaviorist, I do tend to lean towards temperament.
However, I readily admit that my shallow side is attracted to beauty.

The Jury is still Out on the Top 10
In over 20 years in this business I have been lucky to work
with most of the purebreds listed with the American Kennel Club
(AKC) and some breeds not yet recognized by the AKC.

I was not surprised with the research results as my experience
definitely concurs with those breeds in the top 10 being responsive
to training. However, I have formulated my own opinions as to the
canine brain.

Are the dogs listed below more intelligent in general that some other
breeds, my own jury is still out. Is a dog that is more independent
and less interested in pleasing an owner or responding to an owner
offering a tasty morsel less intelligent? In the first place, dogs are
not on the planet to please us.

Labeling
Most everyone wants to be proud of both their dog's
looks and their dog's brains. Many trainers find some
breeds challenging to train. My experience in working
with dogs labeled less than responsive is contrary to many
other trainer's experiences. So, do not give up on your breed
if anyone tells you they cannot be trained.

I do not label certain breeds less intelligent than other breeds
as I find taking into account what the dog was bred to do
an important factor. If I can start working with almost any breed
as a pup I believe the breeds not mentioned in the list below could
easily compete with those breeds in the top 10.

In the past 10 years I have found that some of the breeds in
the top 10 list have exhibited shy of mediocre intelligence. This is
mainly due to the fact that poplular breeds attract people wanting
to profit by the trend, with little to no concern about the dog.
Overbreeding and back yard breeding seems to be the main reason
that some popular breeds rated high on the list seem to have had their
brains bred right out of them.

Stanley Coren's List of Most Intelligent Breeds
A well known author, Stanley Coren determined through
his own research what breeds ranked in the top 10
with regard to canine intelligence. His list, reviewed in his
book, the Intelligence of Dogs has been circulating on various
lists for some time now. His study concluded that
the following breeds could learn a command in less than 5
repetitions.

So, if your breed is not mentioned, don't kill the messenger.
I thought this list was worth another review.

1. Border Collie
2. Poodle
3. German Shepherd
4. Golden Retriever
5. Doberman Pincher
6. Shetland Sheepdog
7. Labrador Retriever
8. Papillon
9. Rottweiler
10. Australian Cattle Dog

Diane Rich
Diane Rich Dog Training, LLC
www.spokesdog.com

Posted by at June 21, 2008 4:30 p.m.

Comments

#145079

Posted by Canine Voice at 6/28/08 12:39 p.m.

Couldn't agree with you more.
I grew up in Germany and many of the breeds labeled here as 'stubborn' were wonderfully behaved companions there, for example the Dachshund.
I work with dogs since '95 and have not met a dumb dog yet, but many afraid and confused ones that shut down and refused to learn because the owner and trainer don't make sense to them.
It is all about channeling the dog's natural talent and communication.
If the pupil won't learn, the teacher has a problem.

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#145347

Posted by Diane Rich at 6/29/08 9:42 p.m.

Hi CV,
Don't you find that dogs, like children tend to live up or down to one's expectations?

So, if someone tells an owner their Doxy is stubborn and can't learn, they may
decide training isn't worth the time, effort, energy or money. Then, due to the lack of structure and training the dog presents behavior problems and Doxy rescue or a shelter, (just using the breed as an eg) ends up with that "untrainable" dog.

BTW, I am currently working with two older Doxy's that everyone told the owner could not be trained. They have recently completed their basic on leash obedience skills and we are moving on to advanced training for more moments of greatness.

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#145374

Posted by Canine Voice at 6/30/08 5:52 a.m.

Yes, Diane, I absolutely believe that dogs live up or down to the owners expectations - just like children do.
There are also owners, lazy ones, that choose a certain breed intentionally as an excuse for not having to invest time into training. Sadly, the fact that many people live in their own homes and the dog can be stuck into the fenced yard, adds to that problems.
I comment all rescue people that make up for that and give older dogs the opportunity to learn and succeed. The more their little frontal lobes are challenged, the better they get.

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#145633

Posted by Diane Rich at 6/30/08 6:12 p.m.

CV,
Dogs stuck at home without exposure to life outside the home are missing out on everything. Very sad. The best human-animal relationships are those that experience life together outside the confines of a back yard. As you know!

Diane

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#146482

Posted by Cat Lady at 7/3/08 8:06 a.m.

No doubt about it, dogs are smart enough to appreciate stimulation within their little world. I'm certain I've worked with many people who had lower IQs than some of my dogs.

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#146547

Posted by Diane Rich at 7/3/08 9:52 a.m.

Cat Lady
It's a little scary to have also experienced what you state in your comment.
Thanks for my first little giggle of the morning.
Diane

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