Posted on 04/28/2008 1:05:46 PM PDT by Clint N. Suhks
The CBS "Early Show" ran a story this week about dogs and their intelligence, or lack thereof. In the story, they shared their list of the top 10 smartest and top 10 dumbest dog breeds. These were their picks.
#10 Dumbest: The Basset Hound may be so sad-eyed because it was ranked the tenth least intelligent dog breed.
2 of 20 : #10 Smartest: The immensely trainable Australian Cattle Dog was called the tenth smartest breed. 
3 of 20 : #9 Dumbest: Don't tell the Westminster Kennel Club, but Uno, the beagle who won their 131st annual dog show, belongs to the ninth least intelligent dog breed. 
4 of 20 : #9 Smartest: The Rottweiler was called the ninth smartest breed. This one looks a tad surprised by the ranking. 
5 of 20 : #8 Dumbest: This Mastiff hangs its head in shame over being ranked the eighth least intelligent dog breed. 
6 of 20 : #8 Smartest: The Papillon, ranked eighth smartest, floats like a butterfly and knows its ABC's. 
7 of 20 : #7 Dumbest: The Pekingese is more famous for its "dustmop" look when groomed correctly. This one must be getting a haircut to avoid being associated with the seventh stupidest dog breed. 
8 of 20 : #7 Smartest: The most popular dog breed in the nation is also the seventh smartest: the Labrador Retriever. 
9 of 20 : #6 Dumbest: We know the Bloodhound has a brain somewhere beneath all those lovable wrinkles, but the "Early Show" rankings had them pulling sixth among the dumbest breeds. 
10 of 20 : #6 Smartest: The Shetland Sheepdog's agility, as shown here, helped it rank sixth smartest. 
11 of 20 : #5 Dumbest: Borzois are considered the fifth least intelligent dogs. 
12 of 20 : #5 Smartest: The Doberman Pinscher's intelligence is on full display here on a rescue mission. 
13 of 20 : #4 Dumbest: This Chow Chow can live with being considered the fourth least intelligent breed, so long as you keep its hair nice and fluffy. 
14 of 20 : #4 Smartest: Golden Retrievers were fourth on the list of smart dogs. 
15 of 20 : #3 Dumbest: The Bulldog was rated the third stupidest dog breed. 
16 of 20 : #3 Smartest: Loyal workhorses, the German Shepherds were ranked as the third smartest breed. 
17 of 20 : #2 Dumbest: The Basenji is considered the second least intelligent dog breed, but hey, it could be worse. 
18 of 20 : #2 Smartest: Love 'em or hate 'em, Poodles were ranked as the second smartest dog breed out there. 
19 of 20 : #1 Dumbest: Stylish and mysteriously ancient, the Afghan Hound nonetheless merits the dubious honor of being ranked the single least intelligent dog breed. 
20 of 20 : #1 Smartest: The Border Collie was ranked the single smartest dog breed. Do you think this one looks just a little bit proud of it? 
I dunno if a border would make a good lapdog. Our border/shepherd mix is wonderful, but the most hyper, neurotic dog I've ever known. It's so true that borders really need a job to keep them happy -- only now, at age 12, can our old guy actually lay still and relax sometimes. Our rottie, on the other hand, is a fabulous lapdog (but only for awfully strong laps).
Re: the article, I used to laugh at the idea of rotties being intelligent. But that was before my girl figured out how to navigate a blockade of kitchen chairs and small baby gates to reach my crying toddler nephew. She would not rest until she made sure he was okay (unfortunately the appearance of her big old snuffling nose in his face didn't help).
Most of our dogs have been dumped in the area, or strays in one way or another. Even though the only one we ever bought was a cocker, we have had several that were purebred.
The golden was smart, but mostly just goofy and anxious to please.
Our sheltie was very smart. It took us several weeks to find out he could bark. Our cocker was as dumb as a box of rocks. The rescued greyhound was also dumb, and mostly wild. He had been dumped in the area and just barely let us feed him. He would steal our stuff and we would find it in his nest in the woods.
We have had a number of other strays, but the smartest of all are the blue heelers. They are Australian cattle dogs with different coloring. They are high energy though, and need room to run.
LOL!!!!
You have provided us with the best laugh we have had in ages. Thanks.
You must not have ever known any Afghan hounds. They are with out a doubt the most absolutely stupid dogs.
Gay.
I think my Labs must have been from the “bag of hammers” blood line.
My husband witnessed the same type of thing at a clients house. He said it was amazing how they kept the kids corralled and the kids didn’t even seem to notice.
Standard poodles are fantastic dogs, and brilliant. The little ones are terrible.
It's like a palomino horse I ride for my trainer. Handsome boy, but doesn't have two brain cells to rub together. We call him the Big Dumb Blond, and his tag line is "Duh . . . gotta ask Coach."
They must have had a dozen or more, and the entire lot were totally brain dead. Extremely pretty, but the dumbest group of dogs I ever saw. How they had the sense to eat their dog food is a mystery.
If it could figure a way to hand a barbie doll off it’s front paw, you would have a match.
It took me about five minutes to recover from paroxysms of laughter before I could reply to your post.
My problem is as bad as yours. In addition to the 72 lb. Weimaraner/Chocolate lab cross I mentioned, I have an 82 lb. Black Lab/Pit cross who was supposed to be a Daneador, but turned out to be a Pitador. The Pitador is even more determined than the Weimador to engage in nightly bed wrestling. Instead of approaching the head of the bed where I’d have some mechanical advantage, he prefers to use his leverage at the foot, gradually pushing my legs out of the bed.
No, I have not had the pleasure.
Wasn’t on the list before, but would like to be on it now. Hope you can compile a good list again soon.
I knew a standard poodle that could climb trees. I saw him do it, and scare the crap out of a cat.
I had a German shepherd that was highly dumb and ate everything, including Barbie dolls, the sofa, and the fence.
My mini Doxie is super-smart, and even has a sense of humor.
My Lab can climb a 6 ft chain link fence.......whenever he wants..........
Our beloved Austrailian Shepard “Lucky” passed away about 2 months ago, but he was the smartest dog. He was deaf and had very poor eye sight but could sense a stranger near our house before our hearing, sited Dalmation could. Lucky would alert us to mischief way before Spot was even thinking about barking.
We had two mutt dogs. One black lab mix and a poodle mix. Both very smart and loyal dogs. Great watch dogs too. Years ago when my daughters were still in grade school they would grumble about getting out of bed for school. I would yell out”I’m sending the hounds in!” They would rush into the bedroom and start licking the kids faces till they got out of bed laughing with big smiles. Sadly our dogs have since gone over the rainbow bridge. We all still miss them.
So for my money,mutts are smartest!
The dog behind us does that too, and it’s very irritating.
OTOH, there’s a corgi and a little muttley across the street who run around like they’re wild. Ditto a pair of fullsize Schnauzers who circled me during my walk like a pair of raptors! It’s their fault I’m outa shape!
Can’t argue with that.
I’m a hound/hunting dog guy who also likes German Shepherds.
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