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Originally Posted by latetotheparty
actually, it has been my experience that boredom is what does lead to destruction...
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Originally Posted by HtownLove
you make an excellent point there. Owners do have to take responsibility for poorly training dogs. Although the smarter breeds need EXTRA stimulation, they also can be trained not to F-up the house.
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Exactly.
Also, there are age and maturity to consider.
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Originally Posted by J-CityRelo
Labs get a bad rap because they are silly and easygoing, but they are also smart! I think it comes down to my neighbor's dog being very well-bred too.
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Originally Posted by TigerLily24
I agree. Too many of these rankings seem to use responsiveness to commands as a means of measuring 'smartness' while many breeds, particularly the northern ones and sight hounds end up at the bottom because they are independent.
Tell me a Siberian Husky who can open virtually any gate latch isn't smart. I'd go so far as to say that she's smarter than a lot of dogs who just sit around waiting to be told what to do
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Different kinds of intelligences predominate in different breeds; a husky originally was bred for an entirely different task from, say, an Afghan or Papillon.
Problem-solving ability as well as thinking independently are indeed traits which some would consider desirable. Not everyone wants a servile canine companion.
We have English mastiffs, who are by no means stupid (we have to spell BEACH, etc) but are not the sharpest, most imaginative tool in the shack. They get into less trouble, too.
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Originally Posted by sautille42
This list should carry a disclaimer that the most popular of these breeds are subject to a lot of less-than-selective breeding that produces inferior pups. Breeds become popular in part because of lists like these, then their integrity ends up diminished and a lot of pets don't live up to owners' expectations. There's also a huge difference between intellect, responsiveness, and temperament, which I don't think some potential owners realize. Many of these breeds can be big trouble for an inexperienced owner!
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Well said.
I am old enough to remember the huge surge in popularity of both collies and Dalmations (back in the 60's.) I was just a kid, but knew enough to have my heart broken by these beautiful dogs, so eager to work, who were stuck in backyards, day after day, not getting any exercise or stimulation.
As far as I can see, only one dog in the list, the Papillon, is a non-working dog. I don't think working breeds have a monopoly on intelligence.
As stated before, there are different sorts of intelligences. Each dog has his own strengths as well as vulnerabilities.
It's really cool when the right owner meets up with the right breed or mix of breeds, but this doesn't always happen.
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I have heard Pyrs called the "cat" of the dog world). The Pyr is so laidback, she is practically falling over. They are both dogs that need alot of exercise though and area to run. Our two cats curl up next to the Pyr all the time. I couldn't imagine not having these beautiful, wonderful dogs in my life, or the cats. Life without pets, just wouldn't be a life for me.
