How Smart Is Your Dog?

Dog owners often claim that ‘he understands every word I say’. But just how intelligent is your dog? Find out if you’re the owner of a doggy genius by looking at all the evidence, then discover ways you can boost his IQ.

What breed is your dog?

While the average dog is said to be as bright as a two-year-old child, if you just answered ‘collie’, you could have a potential genius on your hands. The breed was rated most intelligent according to a survey of more than 200 dog obedience judges in the US and Canada. The evidence is borne out by the incredible tale of Chaser the border collie who has been trained by her psychologist owners to recognise over 1,000 words.

Although the collie may top the intelligence tables, there are other smart breeds. Dr Stanley Coren, a leading authority on canine intelligence, has identified several other bright dogs, such as poodles, German shepherds, Golden Retrievers, Dobermans and Rottweilers.

However, if you’re the owner of an Afghan hound, bulldog, chow or beagle, read on! It could be worth finding ways to boost their brainpower, as these were found to be the least intelligent breeds.

How to test your dog’s IQ

Professor Coren has devised some tests to help you work out just how smart your dog is. Whenever you do them, just make sure they’re fun for your dog, and don’t get annoyed with him if he doesn’t get it right first time.

For example, for the first, sit about two metres away and look intently at your dog. When he looks at you, wait for a count of three and then smile broadly. Dogs with great social intelligence should come to you with their tails wagging.

The second is designed to test his problem-solving ability. Get a large bath towel, then wait until your dog is awake and reasonably active. Let him sniff the towel, and in one brisk movement put it over his head and shoulders. If he frees himself in less than five seconds, he’s bright.

Boost your dog’s brainpower

Dog trainer Cesar Millan believes that, just like us humans, dogs all learn at different rates. To boost your dog’s intelligence, he suggests that the simplest thing to do is to spend time with him, getting to know how he learns best. For example, he may be motivated by exercise as a reward, rather than food.

And he could well be right. Scientists have discovered that social interaction with humans really does make dogs smarter, so make time for regular play and obedience training.

You also need to guarantee his general health, so be sure he’s eating a good balanced diet and have any little health niggles examined by a vet straight away – that’s where having good pet insurance in place can help.