Interacting with your dog daily helps you become familiar with their behavior, and most of the time, our dogs leave us in awe when learning a new trick, picking up on an emotion, or sniffing out the treat you hid yesterday.
While dog owners share stories of their dog’s behavior and intelligence, it’s easy to tell that every dog is different, and it may spark curiosity about how intelligent dogs are. Dogs intelligence varies and comes in many different forms. In this article, we’ll discuss the types of intelligence, how each dog is different, and what the science says about your dog’s cognitive abilities.
All Dogs are Different
There are various forms of intelligence, and It’s important to remember that many breeds were produced to perform a specific task, so judging them based on their ability to do other things besides that specific task may be unfair. Some dogs may excel at learning words or tricks while others may excel at detecting scents or completing a job.
Intelligence Comes in Different Forms
There are a few methods to determine a dog’s intelligence, but intelligence comes in various forms.
Instinctive Intelligence
Instinctive intelligence refers to the purpose for which a dog is bred. Some puppies are bred to do specific jobs such as guarding, retrieving, herding, and detecting. For example, Border Collies are bred for herding, while Dobermans are bred for guarding. Some breeds are even bred purely as companions. Companion dogs are sensitive to humans, can respond to certain moods and emotions, and provide comfort.
Adaptive Intelligence
Adaptive intelligence refers to the dog’s ability to learn to do things for itself. Individual dogs of the same breed can have varying levels of adaptive intelligence. Dogs are naturally social animals that have been bred to interact with humans for many years. One of the most important aspects of a dog’s intelligence is its response to human commands.
Working and Obedience Intelligence
Working and obedience intelligence is measured by the dog’s ability to learn and how quickly and efficiently it carries out the task. Dogs that are used in the military or assistance dogs need to have strong learning abilities. Some breeds are easier to train than others, but any dog can improve their skills with a patient trainer.
How Intelligent are Dogs?
Although each dog is unique in its abilities, one of its most intelligent characteristics is its ability to understand humans. Most dogs can assist humans in their daily lives; for example, Golden Retrievers, Labradors, and Border Collies can provide guidance and sight for visually impaired people. They are taught intelligent disobedience, which means that if their owner has missed a potential danger, the dog will not obey the command.
Some dogs can assist owners who suffer from epilepsy. They can be taught to retrieve a phone or contact assistance using an alert button when their owner experiences a fit.
Dogs that are part of law enforcement are also a great example of how intelligent they are. For many years, dogs have been used to sniff out drugs, find hidden items, and locate escaped criminals. A successful police dog possesses intelligence, aggression, strength, and a keen sense of smell.
What Does Science Say?
Dogs are receptive to our language, and their ability to understand language can be compared to that of a 12–18 month–old infant1. Based on a language study2, their mental abilities are similar to that of a 2-year-old human, and they can learn up to 165 words on average. The most intelligent dogs can learn up to 250 words. Poodles, Border Collies, and German Shepherds were shown to be the top dogs in this study.
According to scientists3, recognizing oneself in the mirror is a “major mental feat.” It is a philosophical aspect of awareness that allows us to see ourselves as distinct from the rest of the world. Scientists will show a dog the mirror and determine how long it takes to recognize themselves. When puppies catch their reflection for the first time, they usually act as though they have encountered another dog. They will usually bark and throw signs of wanting to play. After a short time, they lose interest.
A study published in late 2018 stated that dogs are not exceptionally intelligent compared to almost any other animal4. However, “Their stunning flashes of brilliance and creativity are reminders that they may not be Einsteins but are sure closer to humans than we thought5.”
How You Can Nurture Your Dog’s Intelligence
Dogs love to please their owners, and a little time and effort can go a long way toward assisting your dog’s cognitive development. Toys and playtime can help stimulate their mind and engage their brain.
Sports such as agility and tracking can encourage them to solve problems and stimulate their senses. Dog sports can expose your dog to new challenges and situations and are a great way to exercise human and canine interactions. Because different breeds were created for specific purposes, your dog’s breed can help you choose the best sport to be involved in.
Because dogs’ experiences are so scent-based, nurturing your dog’s instinct to sniff is one of the best things you can do. A dog’s most powerful sense is its sense of smell, and it is vital to allow it to explore the world with its nose.
How Training Your Dog Can Keep It Safe?
Successful obedience training often begins with the sit command. If your dog can respond effectively to this command, you can redirect him or her from a potentially harmful situation. It can also help to keep other people safe from a jumping dog, especially small children and the elderly.
Teaching your dog to return to you when you call and stay put is important to keep it safe. If your dog runs toward a dangerous situation, responding to your call may save its life. Curiosity can get your dog into trouble, like when it tries to eat a toxic plant. Your dog’s ability to respond to the drop cue will prevent your dog from ingesting it.
Sit, come, stay, and drop are necessary commands your dog should know, and understanding and responding to them will help keep your dog safe.
Conclusion
Canine intelligence is a complex topic to examine. Each dog is unique, and its level of intelligence will vary depending on its breed, socialization, and training. However, many researchers believe that a dog’s intelligence is comparable to that of a 2-year-old human. This level of intelligence makes them one of the most intelligent mammals.
Featured Image Credit: bluecrayola, Shutterstock
