Dog Community

Smarter dogs and horses

Posted : 5/7/2008 1:21:41 PM

What do folks on this board think, are dogs and horses getting smarter? My husband and I were talking with several old cowboy friends about todays stock dogs and horses, and they both said that they see a big change since the thirties and forties. I personally think that perhaps it's a change in training methods, but they say it is breeding for more intellegence. Now, they do not necessasarily consider this a good thing as they think we have lost overall "strength" in both species. Have we sacrificed a strong animal to get beauty and brains?

I'm not saying all the breeds, or all members of those breeds, but more those that are bred for certain performance venues that require a dog or horse to think! In dogs that would be herding and hunting dogs, or dogs bred to assist the handicaped, and in horses it would be cutting, reining, and other cow related activities.

Kyda

Posted : 5/7/2008 1:43:04 PM

Uh I guess so. Tho I wouldnt say smarter but rather more easily trainable in the dogs case. I cant really speak for horses as I dont do much eventing with them.

purple chaps

Posted : 5/7/2008 1:43:21 PM

I don't know if it's breeding more for intelligence, but I def. agree with you about the difference in training methods.

Now you don't "break" a horse, you train them. Which is true, back in the "cowboy days" the term (if I understand correctly) breaking came from breaking their spirit. Now instead of making them do somehting with force and fear it's more about teaching them how to do things.

But then again look at Roy Rogers and Trigger. I would say he was a pretty smart horse Wink

erica1989

Posted : 5/7/2008 2:19:41 PM

I wouldn't say they are getting smater - I would say we are. We are learning to read them better - and how to work WITH the to get the results we want, vs. trying to force them to do something. We are a lot more understanding, as humans, and know that animals have needs and feelings too.

KarissaKS

Posted : 5/7/2008 2:41:53 PM

I think people spend a lot more "quality time" with both their dogs & horses these days than they did fifty years ago. People viewed their animals more as "things" or tools many years ago, whereas now many people consider them family members/pets. Training has definitely changed from a more, "you do what I say NOW" method to more of a "let's work together on this and keep it happy" method.

So no, I don't really think that animals have become more intelligent, per say -- but I do think that humans are spending more time with them and learning to understand/read their animals better.

Plus, everyone is an individual. I happen to think that both of my horses are on the smart side, but I've met some who are honestly dumb as a brick (same with dogs). Often times it's simply a lack of training/socialization, but I do think that animals can be born with mental limitations just as easily as humans.