10 manliest dogs

I think the issue is how people define "intelligence".  I know hound and pariah people always describe their dogs as VERY intelligent, because to them intelligence means inherent problem solving and more primitive intelligence.  Whereas someone like me who works with GSDs, I want a dog that is bred to work WITH a person, a dog that is very easy to train and very biddable.  I don't think a GSD is "smarter" than say a Pharaoh Hound, just a different type of smarts for different functions.

jeano

 I just went on Mutt March last Sunday. I spent quite a while walking near a gnarly, blue-jeans and black T-shirt biker dude with a......shih tzu. In fact, I have seen a LOT of gnarly, tattooed Manly Men with shih tzus.

 Go figure! LOL

I've seen quite a few hulking guys with pugs.  Not really a typical 'manly' dog.  My best friend works as a receptionist at a vet clinic and she'd second your shih tzu mention as well as lhasa apsas.

jeano

 I just went on Mutt March last Sunday. I spent quite a while walking near a gnarly, blue-jeans and black T-shirt biker dude with a......shih tzu. In fact, I have seen a LOT of gnarly, tattooed Manly Men with shih tzus.

 Go figure! LOL

it isnt a shih tzu.

its a genetically altered alligator that LOOKS like a shih tzu. dont be fooled!!  

I had to stop reading when they wrote about Alaskan Huskies under the "Husky" title, yet had a pic of what appears to be a Siberian, and also referred to "Black Labrador" as a breed, as if the colors are different breeds. One of my pet peeves

grab01

I had to stop reading when they wrote about Alaskan Huskies under the "Husky" title, yet had a pic of what appears to be a Siberian, and also referred to "Black Labrador" as a breed, as if the colors are different breeds. One of my pet peeves

I noticed that too....

I liked the fact that they put a pit bull disclaimer, but not what it said. 

I was nice to actually see labs get some credit for personality and intelligence.  I get tired of hearing how stupid and lacking in personality they are.
 

sillysally

I was nice to actually see labs get some credit for personality and intelligence.  I get tired of hearing how stupid and lacking in personality they are.
 

You and me both!

grab01

I had to stop reading when they wrote about Alaskan Huskies under the "Husky" title, yet had a pic of what appears to be a Siberian, and also referred to "Black Labrador" as a breed, as if the colors are different breeds. One of my pet peeves

I know what you mean.. it's one of mine too!

Well seeing as I love dogs number 8, 7, 6, 5 and 3 and they describe Pitbulls as dogs that can "be far too volatile or simply can’t be domesticated without a commitment right from when they are pups" , who could possibly be offended by that article.  I'm really glad that their promoting responsible dog ownership, and the fact that their encouraging men to buy dogs based on their level of marchioness (I don't even think that's an actual word). 

If you want to read about even more wisdom, I highly recommend reading "Do real men own cats?"... Especially this part:  "There's no two ways about it: Cats are just plain girlie. There's a reason dogs are referred to as "man's best friend;" if you didn't get the hint then, perhaps there's just no hope for you. And don't think that Miniature Schnauzers and Labradoodles count as "dogs" either."

I was being sarcastic.. incase anyone couldn't tell.. Jerk writers..

 Ummm...see the dog in my Av?  He's an Alaskan Husky.  He looks Malamute to most in person because of size, and Sibe to people that see pics, but he's Alaskan.  To that end, I've seen Sibes that look like foxes and little hounds.  The standard is soooo varied for both breeds and the Alaskan.

I also know plenty of Huskies that appear to be not so smart.  Huskies have minds of their own and use them whenever they please.  To lots of people that means a lack of intelligence.  I don't bother getting offended by people that think Huskies are dumb anymore.  If it means one less person will get a husky without knowing what they are getting into, all the better.

Willingness to obey has nothing to do with intelligence. I know a lot of labs that are well behaved and dumb as a post. BC's are bright. So are ridgebacks. But a ridgeback uses its intelligence for its agenda, not yours!

Eko can unscrew the lid on the airtight dog food container. He tried to open the front door by jumping at the handle. Neither of these things are performed to a command.

The ask men article is stupid all around. It does a poor job of portraying just about every dog on the list.  

Dog_ma

Willingness to obey has nothing to do with intelligence. I know a lot of labs that are well behaved and dumb as a post. BC's are bright. So are ridgebacks. But a ridgeback uses its intelligence for its agenda, not yours!

Hey now, Labs are very intelligent dogs. They aren't "dumb as a post" because they can be well behaved or can be easily trained.
...sheesh

They're used a SAR, ATF K-9, Detection and Police Sentry Dogs, seeing eye dogs for the blind, therapy dogs, great hunting companions, great family dogs, the list can go on and on.

I feel like alot of people have no problem crapping all over the Labrador Retriever...but if you even suggest anything bad about a bully breed you get 15 people flaming you.

Dog_ma

The ask men article is stupid all around. It does a poor job of portraying just about every dog on the list.  

Couldn't agree more with you there.

Willingness to obey has nothing to do with intelligence.

Thank you!  I've seen this before where the chow is #76, they are not unintelligent at all. My experience has been she knows whats being asked of her but if she doesn't see good reason (and pleasing us is not good reason to her--which is what other breeds do and why they are higher ranked) she won't do it! 

Chows are quite intelligent.  I can't say I'm sad about them not being on the manly list though

BlackLabbie

Dog_ma

Willingness to obey has nothing to do with intelligence. I know a lot of labs that are well behaved and dumb as a post. BC's are bright. So are ridgebacks. But a ridgeback uses its intelligence for its agenda, not yours!

Hey now, Labs are very intelligent dogs. They aren't "dumb as a post" because they can be well behaved or can be easily trained.
...sheesh

They're used a SAR, ATF K-9, Detection and Police Sentry Dogs, seeing eye dogs for the blind, therapy dogs, great hunting companions, great family dogs, the list can go on and on.

I feel like alot of people have no problem crapping all over the Labrador Retriever...but if you even suggest anything bad about a bully breed you get 15 people flaming you.

I never said every lab is a dud.

The first dog love of my life was a black lab mix. I will forever hold a deep connection to labs. And there are labs with brains. Absolutely. All I'm saying is that I've met more than handful that were ... mediocre. I also run into many with temperament problems. Now, a well bred lab won't be stupid or sketchy, but there plenty of relatively easy to train labs that aren't rocket scientists. Blame BYBs, but I see em daily.

Willingness to obey, while not a measure of intelligence, is a trait that shouldn't be poo poo'd. A dog who can be trained and will obey is a dog who is tremendously useful. Thank god for the SAR and other working dogs!

Dog_ma

Willingness to obey has nothing to do with intelligence. I know a lot of labs that are well behaved and dumb as a post. BC's are bright. So are ridgebacks. But a ridgeback uses its intelligence for its agenda, not yours!

This is what I mean.  Just depends on how each individual measures intelligence.  I want my dogs to worth WITH me, not against me or simply for themselves.  I guess I measure intelligence as a combination of biddability, drive, and focus.  Can I turn the dog on/off?  How quickly can I train the dog a new command?  Is the dog focused when working, or "checked out"?  Those are things that are important to me, but I don't see myself ever owning a pariah dog.

I am around GSDs and Husky/Husky mixes everyday..........a huge difference.....would I say that the GSDs are smarter? No, but, I would say they are more biddable as some have mentioned and learn faster......a huge plus for that breed......Huskies are very independent and try to figure out things that can get them in trouble........so, if humans define intelligence by how easy it is to train a dog then GSDs are the bomb......