The most intelligent breeds of dogs

In general, to measure the level of intelligence of a dog -the task is not easy, because the caudate pet can not be forced to pass the Eysenck test. We need some criteria from which to build. Such criteria were first identified Dr. Stanley Koren, Professor of Psychology at the University of British Columbia (Vancouver, Canada). In his book "Intellect of dogs", published in 1994, he outlined his theory about the differences in behavior, intelligence and dressing between different breeds of dogs.

He singled out two basic criteria for determining the intelligence of a dog - understanding the new team and executing the team from the first time. Thus, intelligent breeds of dogs understandA new team for the minimum number of repetitions and execute commands from the first time in the vast majority of cases. After asking the dog handlers, Stanley Koren made a rating of dogs by breed.

In the ranking of Dr. Koren 80 positions, dividedto six conventional groups (the same position can be occupied by several breeds of dogs, for example, the sixteenth place in the rating is divided by a long-haired collie, a short-haired collie and a German spitz). We list the categories of dogs by intelligence:

• 1-10 place - the most intelligent dogs (dogs with excellent abilities to train and execute commands, Brightest Dogs);
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  11-26 place - dogs with excellent abilities to training (Excellent Working Dogs);
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  27-39 place - dogs with Above Average Working Dogs;
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  40-54 place - dogs with average abilities to train and execute commands (Average Working / Obedience Intelligence);
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  55-69 place - dogs with abilities to train and execute commands below average (Fair Working / Obedience Intelligence);
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  70-80 place - dogs with the lowest degree of perception to learning (Lowest Degree of Working / Obedience Intelligence).

The most intelligent breed of dogs, in the opinion of Koren, must understand the new team in less than five repetitions, and execute the team from the first time in 95% of cases and above. These breeds include the Australianshepherd dog (Australian healer), Rottweiler, continental toy spaniel, Labrador Retriever, Shetland Sheepdog (Sheltie), Doberman, Golden Retriever (Golden Retriever), German Shepherd, Poodle and Border Collie.

The rocks are listed in ascending order, from the tenth place to the first. It turns out that Border Collie takes first place in the ranking, so we can say that this is the most intelligent breed of dogs.

but The Stanley Koren theory has serious shortcomings, which the author himself admits. The two criteria used by him relate toobedience and execution of teams that are more valued by certain groups of dog breeds, say, office workers and workers. And hunting dogs, for example, also appreciate understanding and creativity - the ability to navigate the situation and make independent decisions. Therefore, the hunting breed may be below the service breed in the rating, but this does not mean that it has a lower level of intelligence - just this breed values ​​other qualities that are not reflected in the rating.

Also, the breed may be lower in the rating,if it differs in a stubborn or independent character, but this does not mean that the representatives of this breed have low intelligence: their training can be difficult due to the nature of the character, and not at all because the dogs of this breed are "stupid".

Thus, the division into more and less intelligentdog breeds are relatively arbitrary. If patiently engaged in raising a dog from an early age, training can bring excellent results. And vice versa - if you neglect dog training, you will not be saved even by the fact that the breed is considered "smart": the pet can grow uncontrollable. Peculiarities of the breed are very important, but no less important is the upbringing.