A dog isn’t considered dumb if it can’t help you study for your history final. Canine intelligence differs from human intelligence. Dogs are considered intelligent if they can adapt to their environment easily, follow commands, and learn new tricks quickly, and if they are guided by their instincts to solve different problems in the real world.
When we say that a dog is “less intelligent”, we mean that they struggle to follow commands or can’t adapt to their environment quickly. In this article, we’ll explore the 7 least intelligent dogs. They are not “dumb” per se; they just learn new things slowly and refuse to follow commands quickly.
This could be due to their stubborn nature, obedience training, or breed traits. Clever dogs are those that are able to follow new commands or tricks with fewer repetitions. A command like “stay” or “roll over” doesn’t come too easily to these dogs.
We’ll call them “least obedient dog breeds”. Therefore, don’t start signing up for any obedience competitions.
Least Intelligent Dog Breeds That Refuse To Follow Commands
1. Afghan Hound
They have a personality that matches their appearance: glamorous and charming. Their aloof nature and free-spiritedness make them a popular dog amongst those who don’t want a clingy pet. WebMD notes that the Afghan Hound is an elegant and beautiful dog, iconic for its silky, long-haired coat.
Least Obedient Dog Breed
It is considered the least obedient dog breed because of their independent thinking. They have their own way of doing things and are not trained easily. Although they are affectionate with their families, they are pretty stubborn when it comes to obedience training sessions.
Afghan Hounds are scent hounds and were originally bred to be hunting dogs. Therefore, they are strong-willed and highly intelligent when it comes to problem-solving skills. However, concerning the following new commands and training, they lag. They are better at sensing strangers or danger than responding to their owner’s behavior.
2. Basenji
The Basenji is popular for being the “barkless dog from Africa”. Unlike other dogs, they are eager to please, but this motivation isn’t as high. They are more stubborn than motivated. It is because of this unique trait that these small dogs are challenging for some pet parents.
Least Obedient Dog Breed
Basenjis don’t tend to listen to their owners very well. Although they have various abilities, like making different kinds of noises when they are bored, these dogs are not easy to train. Again, this is because of their breed characteristics.
As a hunting dog breed, these little dogs learned how to deal with life on their own. The owner’s commands aren’t as important to them as other breeds. Just keep training sessions short and creative. They’ll surprise you then.
Also, since they have a high prey drive, they tend to start chasing any small-sized animal they find. This further demotes their focus on learning new commands. Therefore, keep them on a leash and always use positive reinforcement and treats.
3. Bulldog
Coming to you from the UK, the Bulldog is pretty stubborn and refuses to follow the owner’s commands. In fact, you should be singing their praises if they can even learn 5 commands easily. Bulldogs have a muscular build and require regular moderate exercise, as stated by the AKC.
Least Obedient Dog Breed
Ranking at number 3 as the least smart dog breed, the Bulldog is fearless and protective. No doubt, they are excellent guard dogs. Bulldogs are very calm and have a loving temperament. This enables them to make fast friends with everyone, especially children. They also make great companions, but they require patience when training.
Certain breeds, like the Bulldog, are very playful and can go long hours without tiring. They make great companion dogs if you can be patient with them. They probably won’t listen to you too much or obey you instantly, but they will shower their affection on you daily.
4. Chow Chow
Similar to the other dog breeds on this list, the Chow Chow is not intelligent, and many owners struggle while training this dog. In other words, it struggles with obedience and training. There is probably furniture out there that is more trainable than these dogs.
Least Obedient Dog Breed
Chow Chow puppies are cute, but they will get on your nerves because of their inability to follow commands. It’s not that they don’t listen; they just refuse to. Chow Chows are stubborn and live with free will.
However, they are very affectionate to their families and children. This makes them ideal family pets. Due to their adorable appearance and teeming affection, pet parents don’t care if they are a little stubborn.
Their aloofness to strangers translates to their independent temperament. Therefore, they have their own way of doing things and don’t always heed their owner’s instructions. This makes them difficult to train and teach, but treats and positive reinforcement go a long way.
5. Borzoi
The Borzoi, hailing from Russia and Belarus, is a calm and gentle dog. They dote on their families, but they can be aloof sometimes, too. They enjoy their “me time” as it resonates with their independent nature.
The Borzoi has a high prey drive due to their hunting history, but they don’t trouble themselves with strangers or other breeds unnecessarily.
Least Obedient Dog Breed
Also known as the Russian Wolfhound, the Borzoi is not interested in training sessions. They require a lot of patience while training. It is due to this reason that first-time pet owners might be hesitant to adopt this breed. However, their affection supersedes this hesitancy.
They were originally bred for hunting big game, so they are able to make decisions for themselves. Although this might be considered smart by some trainers, their inability to learn simple commands or tricks is what ticks them off.
6. Pekingese
A companion dog for Chinese Royalty, the Pekingese is a small-sized dog with a lion-like appearance. PetMD notes that the Pekingese was favored because of their beautiful, compact bodies and long, flowing coats. Due to their outgoing and loyal nature, they make loving family pets.
Least Obedient Dog Breed
The Pekingese is one of the least intelligent dog breeds. Completing a marathon is easier than training one of the Pekingese. They are, no doubt, a confident and laid-back species. It is because of this nature that they are not interested in obedience training.
Their self-assured personality makes them independent. Also, these dogs are not very eager to please their owners, which becomes another hindrance in their training and socialization. They do well on their own and only need to have their favorite humans around when it suits them.
7. Beagle
A surprising choice on this list, the Beagle is probably one of the last dog breeds one would expect to be considered “least intelligent”. However, the truth is that these hound dog breeds are more interested in defying the rules than following them. Intelligence and Beagles just don’t mix.
Least Obedient Dog Breed
Incredibly playful, these dogs don’t possess instinctual intelligence as they aren’t prone to barking at strangers. They are better companions for humans than guard dogs. Beagles are very curious, and their nose often gets them into mischief.
Since they let their noses guide them better than their owners, they lack discipline and make training very difficult. However, these fun-loving and playful dogs make excellent pets for families of all lifestyles. They are sociable and get along well with other dogs because of their history as pack animals.
Conclusion
Different breeds like the Lhasa Apso, Beagle, Borzoi, and Afghan Hounds favor breaking the rules rather than following them. They are not easy to train due to their independent and aloof nature. They are more interested in relaxing or playing than learning commands or tricks.
Owners might get frustrated when training these least intelligent breeds, but it is important to consider that no dog is dumb. All dogs have their unique qualities and characteristics. Some are good family pets, like Labradors and Siberian Huskies. Others, like working dogs such as German Shepherds, Australian Shepherds, and Border Collies, are known for their highly trainable attitudes.
We have discussed 7 different dog breeds that take a long time to train. This doesn’t mean that they are difficult dogs; it just means that one must put more care and patience into training them. These dogs reward you for your efforts with their overflowing affection and charm.
