29 Smartest Dogs

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Originally Posted by welsh

In the book, the list is introduced specifically as a ranking of breeds by "intelligence," not smarts.
The distinction between "smarts" and "intelligence" that you're trying to make is my point: there is more than one kind of intelligence.

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So the "over 200 professional dog obedience judges" couldn't tell the difference between a smart dog and and intelligent dog. No wonder there are those that don't agree with it. :)

I smart dog can learn to sit quickly when trained....and intelligent dog learns that biting a porcupine is not a good thing and doesn't do it again.

I have had many dogs that I tried to teach fetch too....the intelligent ones do it once, then look at you like your nuts when to throw it away again. :)

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Originally Posted by terrym

My dog has the whole family wrapped around his toe. Does that make him smarter than us?

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No. This may mean he feels he is more 'dominant' than you, your wife, and kids. Having a dog at the top of the hierarchy is most often a dangerous thing. This is often followed by food possession issues, aggression and sometimes biting. Dangerous for the family, and ultimately the animal.

Although we often treat our dogs as 'part of the family', we need to remind them regularly that they're at the BOTTOM of the chain of command.

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Originally Posted by MikePal

So the "over 200 professional dog obedience judges" couldn't tell the difference between a smart dog and and intelligent dog.

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Yup. Learning to sit on command is one thing. Learning to run a downwind pattern is another thing entirely.

Brian Hare's book, The Genius of Dogs, gives a good takedown of Stanley Coren's ranking.

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Originally Posted by urbansherpa

No. This may mean he feels he is more 'dominant' than you, your wife, and kids. Having a dog at the top of the hierarchy is most often a dangerous thing.

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Speaking of ideas discredited by people who actually study dog behavior for a living ... "dominance" is one.

I have to say I think my female Lab is pretty smart.

When I am home she is very well behaved & sticks with me around the house. To me she is a great loyal & obedient companion.

When I am not home she turns in to "the devil dog" (my wife's words).

She has figured out that as soon as I leave she can act up & be destructive with the girls ... LOL

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Originally Posted by urbansherpa

No. This may mean he feels he is more 'dominant' than you, your wife, and kids. Having a dog at the top of the hierarchy is most often a dangerous thing. This is often followed by food possession issues, aggression and sometimes biting. Dangerous for the family, and ultimately the animal.

Although we often treat our dogs as 'part of the family', we need to remind them regularly that they're at the BOTTOM of the chain of command.

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Clearly you missed the humor and couldn't have mis "diagnosed" our dog more if you tried to. This dog will let any dog feed in his bowl and you can remove food from his mouth anytime. When he used to still get chew bones he actually liked having us hold it for him. Bizzare but true. He isn't dominant at all with us in fact he lives to please and serve. When hunting he's a killing machine but that's what he is bred and trained for. In the house he's a spoiled ham.

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Originally Posted by terrym

My dog has the whole family wrapped around his toe. Does that make him smarter than us?

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Definitely a joke from Terry. He's an experienced trainer and no dog would "dominate" in his house.

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Originally Posted by terrym

Clearly you missed the humor and couldn't have mis "diagnosed" our dog more if you tried to. This dog will let any dog feed in his bowl and you can remove food from his mouth anytime. When he used to still get chew bones he actually liked having us hold it for him. Bizzare but true. He isn't dominant at all with us in fact he lives to please and serve. When hunting he's a killing machine but that's what he is bred and trained for. In the house he's a spoiled ham.

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Haha....sorry, Terry. My apologies. If I'd read more of your previous posts I would have seen the humour. I have a (long-legged)
Jack Russell terrier who loves to push limits every day. Had several dogs before that, too. Our terrier will growl when my son plays rough with him, but goes dead silent when I lean in and do the same. It's funny to watch. I think terriers tend to be one of the most 'domineering' breeds. From day one I made sure that no issues were developing. Great hunting dog, though. Squirrels beware. If I could get him to retrieve ducks he'd be perfect!

No apologies needed. Russells are lunatic dogs. Probably not a benchmark to compare to normal dogs. ( just busting your chops again :joker:). I expect Sharon to jump in and slap me over these comments. She's nuts too.......LoL!

LOL But they are so cute - the little buggra.

This week he didn't want to move over on the couch so I could have more room. Growled and took a swipe at my face . Needless to say, he won't be doing that again.... you can fill in the blanks. :)

http://i1282.photobucket.com/albums/...ps1f111631.jpg


Sorry pic is so big ; photobucket seems to be kerflewy to night. If anyone can make it smaller go for it.

That's what she said. lol