Dog Community

Fun Dog Fact of the Day! - Intelligence -

Posted : 12/30/2013 11:02:49 AM

Dogs as intelligent as two-year-old children

Researchers have found that dogs are capable of understanding up to 250 words and gestures, can count up to five and can perform simple mathematical calculations.

Using tests originally designed to demonstrate the development of language, pre-language and basic arithmetic in human children, the researchers were able to show that the average dog is far more intelligent than they are given credit for.

They have also compiled a list of the most intelligent and least intelligent breeds using information from obedience classes. Border collies and retrievers were rated among the most intelligent while hounds and terriers were the least bright.

"The average dog is about as bright linguistically as a human two-year-old," said Professor Stanley Coren, a leading expert on canine intelligence at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver who has carried out the work.

"This means they can understand about 165 words, signs and signals. Those in the top 20 per cent were able to understand as many as 250 words and signals, which is about the same as a two and a half year old.

Do you have a dog genius? Post some pics of your pooch doing a trick or tell us a story about your "genius" pup!

JackieG

Posted : 12/30/2013 11:51:34 AM

I find Brian Hare's comments on IQ much more accurate. To quote one portion of the attached article:

," people often ask us whether a dog is smarter than a chimpanzee, or if a border collie is smarter than a poodle. We always say it’s like asking if a hammer is a better tool than a screwdriver — each tool is designed to solve a certain type of problem. The same analogy applies to measuring the intelligence of different species, and even individuals within a species." :)

www.livescience.com/32084-anti-iq.html

glenmar

Posted : 12/30/2013 2:54:53 PM

I think a lot of this is expectations. If you think a dog can't understand you, he probably won't. If you think he CAN understand, the likelihood is greater that he will. If I treated my GSD's like two year old humans,. they would probably wonder when mom got so dumb.....

Michele68

Posted : 12/30/2013 3:48:57 PM

I think what they mean is they have the same leaning skills as a 2 year old. What I have learned is being consistent is the key. Using the same words and phrases for things they learn and understand. All dogs are individuals I have worked with hundreds of dogs some learn things more quickly than others.

tacran

Posted : 12/30/2013 4:57:06 PM

My experience is limited to observing the two dogs we've had, as well as dogs belonging to friends or family who we see frequently. It seems there are some natural differences between dogs simply due to their breed type and what inclinations they have (or don't have) for certain activities and behaviors.

For example, the couple Labs and Golden Retrievers I've known seem to instantly take to the game of fetch -- you throw something, they go get it, and bring it back to you to throw again. Our first dog, a Bullmastiff, was the opposite. You could throw a ball once, he'd go after it, but he'd rarely bring it back (no matter what kind of encouragement or reward we offered). On the rare occasions that he DID bring it back, if I threw it again, I swear he gave me a look that said, "Why are you throwing it away again? I just went to the trouble of getting it for you. Go get it yourself." Then he'd lumber off and sniff something in the yard.

Guess there are differences in how the brain works in retrievers and mastiffs! Smile