This is a ranking that may disappoint, offend, or irritate dog owners. Scientists from the University of Helsinki have decided to classify dog breeds based on their intelligence. To create their ranking, the researchers conducted cognitive and behavioral tests on more than 1,000 dogs of 13 different breeds, ranging in age from one to eight years.
They examined analysis of exploratory behavior, impulsivity, social cognition, spatial problem solving, reasoning, and short-term memory. “A total of 826 dogs participated in the reasoning task. 33.4% of them understood the task of logical thinking,” we learn from the study published in the journal Nature and transmitted by Ouest-France.
The Malinois, top of the class
With 35 out of 39 points, the Malinois shepherds were well ahead of the ranking. Completely, the dog widely used by law enforcement, scored high marks in many areas. In second place is the Australian Kelpie, ahead of the Labrador Retriever. The Border Collies and the Hovawart take places 4 and 5. At the bottom of the ranking are crossbreed dogs, the German Shepherd Dog and the Finnish Laplander.
Another study by Professor Stanley Coren attempted to assess canine intelligence by comparing 130 breeds and surveying more than 200 canine obedience judges in the United States and Canada, reports Geo. The Afghan Hound received the title of least intelligent dog, ahead of the Basenji and the Bulldog. The chow chow and borzoi came next, just ahead of the hound.