Dogs are praised for their intellect, loyalty, and companionship. However, certain breeds receive a poor reputation because they are thought to be “dumb” or challenging to train. It’s important to understand that the definition of intelligence in dogs can vary and be complex before making any judgements. What qualifies a dog as “smart” depends on a variety of characteristics, including as trainability, aptitude for solving problems, emotional intelligence, and innate abilities.
It can be unfair and inaccurate to categorize some breeds as the “dumbest dog breeds” because these dogs frequently thrive in areas that others might not see right away. Let’s examine the reasons behind some breeds receiving this unfavorable classification and dispel the myths around them.
Let’s take a look at how canine intelligence is normally assessed before getting into any particular breed. Three categories of dog intelligence are often recognised:
- Instinctive intelligence: The ability of a dog to carry out activities for which it was bred, such as guarding, hunting, or herding, is known as instinctive intelligence.
- Adaptive intelligence: Adaptive intelligence is the capacity of a dog to figure out difficulties on its own and pick up skills from its surroundings.
- Working and Obedience Intelligence: The degree to which a dog picks up instructions from people and how rapidly they adapt to training.
When a breed is called “dumb,” it’s typically because of how well it does in the obedience and working categories. Many so-called “dumb” canines excel in other areas of intellect, which are ignored by this restrictive assessment.
The So-Called Dumbest Dog Breeds: Fact or Fiction?
Let’s look at a few canine breeds that have been incorrectly and frequently called “dumb” and talk about why these labels are incorrect.
The Afghan Dog
Because they are independent and less inclined to please than certain other breeds, Afghan Hounds are frequently listed as one of the “dumbest” dog breeds. Afghan Hounds were first bred to hunt in Afghanistan’s hilly mountains, which needed them to think for themselves and act quickly without human assistance.
They are famously hard to train in obedience, and their motivations are not the same as those of, say, a Border Collie. They are highly intelligent in other respects, nevertheless, because of their innate intelligence and capacity for hunting in challenging environments. Because Afghan Hounds are autonomous thinkers, people occasionally misjudge their intellect.
Basenji
Because of their distinctive vocalisations, Basenjis are frequently referred to as “barkless dogs.” Their tenacious nature has earned them the reputation of being hard to train and recalcitrant, even earning some people’s term for “dumb.”
Due to their strong sense of independence, Basenjis like to do things their way. Compared to other, more submissive breeds, their independence may give the impression that they are less clever. They are actually quite good hunters and problem solvers; these are abilities that aren’t often evident in obedience training settings.
Bulldog
Because of their stocky bodies and wrinkled faces, bulldogs are frequently thought of as being sluggish and slow to obey. People occasionally assume they aren’t very smart because of their laid-back demeanour.
Because of their extreme stubbornness, bulldogs sometimes refuse to obey orders when they don’t feel like it. Still, they read their owners’ emotions quite well and possess a remarkable adaptive intelligence. They are very devoted and loving friends, even though they might not be the fastest to learn obedience.
Chow Chow
Chow Chows are distinguished by their lion-like features and distant personalities. They have earned a place on numerous lists of “dumbest dogs” due to their independence and lack of enthusiasm for training sessions.
Like the Afghan Hound, the Chow Chow was developed with independence in mind. Instead of engaging in monotonous obedience exercises, they would prefer to pursue their own interests. Nonetheless, their strong sense of familial attachment and protection demonstrates their high degree of innate intellect.
Basset Canine
Basset Hounds are distinguished by their slow gait, sorrowful gaze, and drooping ears. Some people believe they lack intelligence because of their easygoing demeanour and seeming lack of interest in training.
Instead of being developed for speed or agility, Basset Hounds are scent hounds because of their extraordinary sense of smell. When they appear disoriented, they are probably tracking a smell, which calls for intense mental concentration. Their greatest asset is their noses, and they are excellent hunters and trackers—skills that are not usually transferable to obedience training.
Why Do These Breeds Get Labeled as "Dumb"?
- Independence: Despite being branded as “dumb,” several breeds are actually rather independent and were developed to function on their own. As a result of being built to be independent decision makers, they might not react to commands as fast.
- Low Motivation: Some dogs just don’t get as excited about food or praise as other dogs do. They are therefore more difficult to train using standard reward-based techniques, but this does not imply that they lack intelligence.
- Stubbornness: Although stubborn breeds, such as the Chow Chow or Bulldog, may understand exactly what is expected of them, they may nevertheless choose not to comply. Many times, people confuse this stubbornness for a lack of intelligence.
- Mismatched Expectations: A lot of the breeds on these lists do well in situations that emphasise working intelligence and obedience, but they might not do as well in situations where instinctive and adaptive intelligence are valued. An unjust evaluation of a dog’s intellect may result from a mismatch between what is expected of them and their innate skills.
All Dogs Are Intelligent in Their Own Way
Nobody’s intelligence is the same. Dogs have many talents and weaknesses, just as people. Finding the ideal balance between a person’s expectations and lifestyle and a dog’s innate skills is crucial. For example, Afghan Hounds are extremely skilled hunters, even though they may not be the best at obedience training. Although they may take a while to obey orders, bulldogs are intelligent and loving friends.
It’s more advantageous to recognise that different breeds have varied forms of intelligence appropriate for their original purposes rather than categorising some as the “dumbest.” Even though they may be more difficult to train than other dogs, the ideal dog for you will have a special way of bonding with you and making you happy.
Conclusion
Ultimately, there isn’t a canine breed that is genuinely “dumb.” Every breed has a unique collection of abilities and intellect suited to particular jobs and settings. Even though certain dogs could be more difficult to train in the traditional sense, they might be excellent in less apparent ways.
It’s crucial to take your expectations, way of life, and level of cooperation into account while selecting a dog. Any dog may become a beautiful, loving companion with the correct knowledge and training, regardless of whether you choose a breed that is known for being “smart” or one that has a reputation for being stubborn.
