10 Dumbest Dog Breeds
When you’re a dog parent, it’s all about unconditional love. No matter what your four-legged bestie looks like, no matter how many shoes they eat, and no matter how not smart they can be sometimes, you love them just the same.
That’s all part of living with dogs. But if you’ve ever wondered what the 10 dumbest dog breeds are, you might be surprised to find that you’re not alone. In fact, there have been several studies and books over the years that have sought to rank not only the smartest dog breeds but also those that come in at the bottom of the intelligence scale. Here’s what you need to know.
Every Dog Is An Individual
The first thing you need to know about our list of the ten dumbest dog breeds and the research and books it’s based on is that dogs are just like people.
While being a certain breed might predispose a dog to be smarter or not, every dog is different, and you can get some dogs that are supposed to be brilliant and aren’t, and vice versa.
The other thing you need to know is that dogs, like people, have talents and interests that vary from one breed to the other.
Some dogs are also simply more interested in some things than others. Think of it kind of like doggy ADHD. They’re so focused on running, barking, jumping, climbing, food, or something else that they’re not too worried about winning any prizes for their intellect.
Finally, remember that all of these intelligence tests are based on criteria that matter to humans. They don’t mean much to the dogs themselves, and they shouldn’t affect how you feel about your fur baby.
Studies and Books on Dog Intelligence
Now that we’ve covered why dog intelligence research has no bearing on your relationship with your dog or dogs, it’s a good idea to look at the studies and books that these kinds of rankings are based on.
The most recent study that is making waves in the dog world is a research project by students and researchers at the University of Helsinki in Finland, titled Breed differences in social cognition, inhibitory control, and spatial problem-solving ability in the domestic dog (Canis familiaris), which you can read by clicking on the link.
You can also read their press release about the study here, and that outlines how the study was conducted and other high level information, if you’d rather not digest the full research paper!
This study followed 1,002 Finnish dogs, and put them through a series of cognitive tests called SMARTDog, which are designed to gauge intelligence and insight in dogs in various key areas.
Another often-cited resource is a book from 1994, written by Stanley Coren and titled The Intelligence of Dogs: A Guide to the Thoughts, Emotions, and Inner Lives of Our Canine Companions. Coren has been involved in the dog world for decades, and he interviewed hundreds of breeders, trainers and other people with hands on knowledge of the dog world to develop this book. He’s also a professor who specialises in psychology and cognitive function, so he knows a thing or two about thinking!
Recommended Reading: The Intelligence of Dogs: A Guide to the Thoughts, Emotions, and Inner Lives of Our Canine Companion |
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Even though it was first published in 1994, The Intelligence of Dogs by Stanly Coren is still seen as the definitive work on dog intelligence. Even if you don't believe in holding dogs to human intelligence standards (and we agree!) This is a fascinating look at how dogs think, and it can help you to become a better, more understanding dog owner. Well worth the read. |
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Which Dogs Are the 10 Dumbest Dog Breeds?
Now that you know how dogs are and were tested to create lists ranking the intelligence of dog breeds, it’s time to get right into it, but remember – just because one breed makes this list on average, that does not mean that your own dog is anything less than brilliant, loving and perfect for you and your family.
1. Afghan Hounds
Afghan Hounds are truly beautiful dogs with their slim, slender frame and their long silky hair.
They’re also amazingly fast and sure footed, and tend to be very good natured.
However, when it comes to following instructions and scoring on these kinds of intelligence tests, they don’t do as well as other breeds. But when you’re this beautiful and talented, who needs a high IQ anyway?
Afghan Hounds scored particularly low on what is known as “obedience intelligence” which only means that they are not particularly inclined to listen to and learn from their humans.
2. Basenjis
Basenjis are a very unique and special kind of dog. In fact, they’re the only breed that doesn’t bark but yodels. They’re also a fantastic hunting dog, bred in Africa to hunt small animals.
Like Afghan Hounds, Basenjis tend not to be the most obedient dogs. In fact, they’d much rather be zooming around, getting things done than listening to anything humans have to say to them.
That does mean that they score lower on human developed tests like the ones used in Helsinki, but they score very high on the good boy rankings, and that’s all that matters to us! Basenjis also have fantastic natural survival skills, which when you’re a small dog bred for hunting in Africa, is a very important kind of intelligence to have!
3. English Bulldogs
English Bulldogs today are likely to be family pets and couch potatoes, but they were originally bred to be herding dogs, which by all accounts, they were very good at.
The English Bulldog scores lower on tests like SMARTDog because often, they simply don’t have the motivation to follow the instructions they’re given.
English Bulldogs also have a stubborn streak, so it can be hard to tell if they are ignoring instructions because they don’t understand them or because they just don’t want to follow them.
It might be a good thing that English Bulldogs have no inclination to follow orders from their humans too. After years of selective breeding, they have serious respiratory problems that can make any sustained exertion medically dangerous.
4. Chow Chows
If ever there was a dog that looked like a living teddy bear, it was the Chow Chow or Chow as it’s also known.
Their exceptional floof is not the only thing that makes them special though. Chows also have blue tongues, and they’re known for being very hard to train. They tend to react before thinking too, which can make them a little harder to live with and not suited for homes with small children who could startle them.
Chow Chows are still beautiful though, and most make good pets, although it is recommended to meet the parents before you choose a puppy, as they can be somewhat difficult and temperamental.
5. Borzoi
Another hunting breed from the Balkan/Middle Eastern region, the Borzoi shares many traits with the Afghan Hound.
Although their hair is not as long and silky as the Afghan, they’re also slim and sleek and ready to run, and that does seem to interfere with their willingness to follow instructions from humans.
Generally, Borzois are good natured and friendly though, although a high prey drive means they do tend to take off running when something interesting whizzes by!
6. Bloodhounds
Bloodhounds, like many of the other breeds on this list, probably made the list of 10 dumbest dog breeds not because they can’t understand human instructions, but simply because they’d rather not follow them.
This well known scent dog is fantastic at tracking and hunting, and is still used extensively for this in many parts of the world.
They’re likely to follow interesting smells rather than follow commands too, and since most human intelligence tests from dogs required some obedience, that always counts against them.
7. Shi Tzu
The Shi Tzu was bred to be a lap dog. To be cute and sweet and adorn the laps of the well-to-do. So it’s kind of understandable that they’re not going to be winning any prizes for following instructions from people!
Shi Tzus are cute, friendly, fun little dogs, and the truth is, they probably just have better things to do with their fabulous time than listen to what you want them to do. Thank you very much.
8. Basset Hounds
Basset Hounds are a lot like Bloodhounds but with a shorter wheelbase. That is to say, they’re also fantastic scent hounds that have been used extensively as hunting dogs. But they’re also closer to the ground, which is usually where all the good smells are.
So it’s really not too surprising that Bassets are more interested in following their sniffer than listening to your commands.
9. English Mastiff
English Mastiffs are slow, laid back, and do everything on their own time. They’re also huge and strong, and while they’re usually gentle and friendly, trying to get them to do anything they don’t want to do is an exercise in futility.
If you like your dogs large, docile and kind of drooly, who cares if they can’t be bothered to learn complex commands?
10. Beagles
The Beagle often makes the list of the 10 dumbest dog breeds, and we think it’s grossly unfair.
In this case, Beagles are just so friendly and always trying to make friends that they probably don’t even notice you wanted them to do anything else! Not to mention that they’ve got eyes that can melt butter and are fun and energetic too.
Take Every List of the 10 Dumbest Dogs with a BIG Pinch of Salt
As you will notice, while we acknowledge that these dog breeds do tend to score lower on tests like SMARTDog, that’s very much a measure of how well they follow human instructions.
You could argue that since your commands and instructions don’t really make logical sense to some dogs, it’s not that they don’t understand them; it’s just that they don’t think they’re worth following.
We don’t really like tests like this that try to rank dogs based on human decided factors, and we think that every dog breed has pros and cons. Choosing the right dog breed for your family is very much a matter of personal taste, and if you love one of the breeds on this list. Get one! Heck, get five if it makes you and your dogs happy!
If you plan to train your dog and compete in obedience shows, wiggle sticks, carting or dog jumping, then your dog’s IQ will be a factor. But there are still many dogs competing in those events that are from so-called less intelligent breeds. It just takes a little more time and effort to train them properly.