Dog intelligence refers to a process in dogs of acquiring information and conceptual skills, storing them in memory, and retrieving them. It can be divided into three points:
Instinctive intelligence: It refers to a dog’s ability to perform tasks like herding, fetching, guarding, pointing, or providing companionship.
Adaptive intelligence: It is the ability to learn things from human beings and the environment.
Working and obedience intelligence: It refers to a dog’s ability to follow instructions.
Professor Stanley Coren listed the least intelligent dog breeds in his book, The Intelligence of Dogs. This list was solely based on adaptive intelligence and obedience level.
Basic obedience classes are strongly recommended for these dogs. They can be useful in showing these dogs that the noises humans often make can have meaning for them. Get started early and re-up as often as necessary, according to the Bedlam Farm Journal.
Here are the seven least intelligent dog breeds to avoid.
Least Intelligent Dog Breeds To Avoid
1. Afghan Hound
The Afghan Hound is a sighthound that has a sharp eyesight, a long flowing coat, and an instinct to run after prey. According to PetMD, it is a highly independent breed that likes to spend time with its owners and is shy of strangers.
These adorably dumb dogs should be properly socialized to behave well around kids and new faces. Afghan Hounds are difficult to train due to their low adaptive and obedience intelligence. They face difficulty in understanding new commands and grasping the ways of executing them.
Patient and consistent training is required for this breed. However, they have high instinctive intelligence, which makes them perfect for hunting in the rugged terrains of Afghanistan. Afghan Hounds have a low-shedding hypoallergenic coat, making them perfect for allergy sufferers.
2. Basenji
The Basenji is a hunting dog breed with a strong prey drive. They were originally bred for hunting small animals like rodents in African savannahs. They have keen senses, short coats, and possess a lot of energy. Basenjis are known for their yodel-like sounds.
According to Purina, they are independent and self-contained canines. They are more interested in teaching their owners how to hunt than in learning new commands. Basenjis have high instinctive intelligence but low adaptive intelligence.
These strong-willed and stubborn dogs are also difficult to train for obedience tasks. Due to this, Basenjis make it to the list of the least intelligent dog breeds. They are the clever problem solvers known for their cleanliness and agility.
3. Bulldog
Bulldogs were originally bred to fight bulls. When bull fighting was outlawed, breeders modified this breed to have more aesthetically pleasing qualities, such as a short muzzle and wider bodies. One of the negative traits resulting from such breeding practices is limited canine intelligence.
They have a gentle and affectionate temperament. These sturdy and wrinkly-faced dogs have low rankings in intelligence assessments. It may be associated with their laid-back demeanor, which makes them less motivated when it comes to learning.
Bulldogs rank third on the Coren’s list of least intelligent dog breeds because they are pretty stubborn and learn only a few commands. These strong-willed dogs may not be as easy to train as some other breeds. Bulldogs can be trained to learn basic commands with patience and consistency.
Positive reinforcement methods, such as treats and praise, are effective in training Bulldogs. They can be taught common tricks and sports like skateboarding and surfing. They have low rankings in all three intelligence categories.
4. Chow Chow
Chow Chows are a Chinese breed that serves as a hunting and sled dog. These hunting dogs can be easily recognized by their blue tongues and lion-like manes. Chow Chows are willful, independent, and stubborn dogs that are very difficult to train. They can be quite challenging for submissive owners.
One of the dumbest dog breeds, Chow Chows are not typically aggressive, but they give a hard time to people who cannot control them. Training sessions and socialization should begin as early as possible. Chow Chow trainers should have a dominant personality so that the dog obeys them.
Cutting it short, Chow Chows have moderate to high instinctive intelligence, but low obedience and adaptive intelligence. There is probably furniture out there that is more trainable than a Chow Chow.
Chow Chows are pretty alert; they are loyal towards their owners and reserved towards strangers and other dogs. That is why they make good guard dogs. They can stay active and protect the house with a bit of exercise.
5. Borzoi
Borzoi, also known as the Russian Wolfhound, were originally bred to spot and hunt wolves in Russia. But they are equally good at hunting foxes, boars, and rodents due to their keen eyesight and incredible speed. Borzoi have quite independent and persistent personalities.
These calm and passive dogs want to spend lots of time with their owners. Unfortunately, they have short lifespans due to their large size. Borzoi are tall and slender canines with great instinctive intelligence, but have poor adaptive and obedience intelligence.
Their long fur and affectionate demeanor make them popular among dog lovers. Borzoi love independence and tend to be stubborn at times, which makes training a bit challenging. They often seem to be “not interested” in training sessions. Borzoi trainers should have patience, consistency, and good humor.
6. Bloodhound
Bloodhounds are scent hounds with a keen nose and long ears to capture scent particles. These independent dogs can be stubborn sometimes, which makes training difficult. According to the American Kennel Club, they are relentless and stubborn on a scent.
Bloodhounds are one of the least intelligent dog breeds in terms of obedience training. But they are blessed with instinctive intelligence. They have an incredible sense of smell that is 1,000 times stronger than humans, as per PBS. Bloodhounds are capable of learning basic skills and commands.
They are better at identifying problems than finding solutions. Bloodhounds are immensely loyal to their humans but wary of strangers. According to Pedigree, Bloodhounds are reserved and sensitive dogs who can only be trained in basic obedience.
7. Pekingese
Pekingese is a Chinese dog breed having a loyal and affectionate nature. They were originally bred as companion dogs, so the breeders focused on temperament and good looks. Probably, that is why they are not as intelligent as some other breeds.
Many pet parents neglect training their Pekingese in favor of snuggling. However, timely training helps unleash a well-behaved dog. They are capable of learning basic commands but are a bit stubborn and may take extra time to train.
They have a moderate instinct, adaptive, and obedience intelligence. But according to Hill’s Pet, they are independent little pooches and require patient and consistent training. Pekingese are low-maintenance dogs when it comes to exercise.
Conclusion
Some dog breeds, like Afghan Hounds and Borzoi, make it to the list of the least intelligent dog breeds. They require consistent and patient training from an early age. However, if some of these dogs are not highly intelligent, they still have a lot to offer.
Even the least intelligent dogs in terms of obedience are blessed with valuable instincts, such as a strong nose or keen eyesight. Their instinctive intelligence surpasses their adaptive intelligence.
