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6/29 Dear cat lovers, look: http://www.petmedsonline.org/top-10-smartest-dogs-in-the-world.html http://www.petmedsonline.org/least-intelligent-dogs.html Search for the word "cat-like characteristics" on both of these pages. Many of the dumb dogs have cat-like characteristics. Yes, I think cats are dumb. Sorry. \_ I love it when cat owners always give the argument "Well *my* cat is too smart to listen to anyone." |
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www.petmedsonline.org/top-10-smartest-dogs-in-the-world.html Org The Top 10 Smartest Dog Breeds In The World What are the smartest dogs in the world? We all love our dogs, and most of us believe our own dog must be the smartest ever. We've compiled a list of the top 10 most intelligent dogs ever. Because sometimes, having a dog with very high intelligence can have its drawbacks. For example, if a highly intelligent dog is left at home alone all day, they can get bored and become destructive and/or neurotic. On the other hand, a dog with limited intelligence can be left at home all day, and not even realize you're gone until a few minutes before you arrive home! They need to be exercised on a regular basis, both mentally and physically. As they were originally bred to herd in cattle in Australia (hence the name), they are freethinking, resourceful, and very protective of their property, including people! The Rotti is only average in intensity, and make a great family dog. Not only is the Rottweiler intelligent, but extremely courageous and reliable. Well it should, because Papillons are actually a lot tougher than they look! Some would characterize Papillons as a little moody and aggressive, but they are simply very possessive of their masters and "home turf". Without proper exercise, Labs have been known to develop weight problems. Because of their good nature, and love of children and other dogs, they are a very popular family dog. Shelties were originally bred to herd hundreds of sheep and cattle, requiring great concentration and, of course, intelligence. They can be a little wary of strangers and children, but are very loyal and affectionate within their own family. In fact, the Sheltie very much craves human companionship. Although known as a dominant breed, Dobermans can vary greatly as far as temperament goes. Some can be quite docile, and even work as therapy dogs in hospitals! Dobermans can be great family dogs too, if trained properly from an early age. Although not vicious, you can count on a Doberman to aggressively protect its master if necessary. With such great intelligence, it's no wonder that Golden Retrievers excel in obedience competitions and at performing tricks. As long as they are trained in obedience from an early age by a loving but firm hand, they can be great family dogs, and excellent with children. Because of their intelligence, a German Shepherd needs a purpose or job in life to be truly happy. This intelligence, coupled with their courageous nature make German Shepherds excellent police and search dogs. The standard Poodle is highly intelligent and one of the easiest breeds to train. They love to be around people, and really hate to be left alone. Some standard Poodles are good guard dogs, and some can even be trained as hunters! Overall, Poodles are a sensitive, pleasant and happy breed. If they don't have a purpose in life or some kind of job, they will not be happy. Border Collies should definitely not be left at home alone all day, and if they are, they can become quite destructive. They need constant companionship, praise, and extensive exercise. So if you work and live in the city, a Border Collie probably isn't the dog for you! Because of their legendary intelligence, Border Collies set the standard in competitions for such skills as agility, obedience, and of course, sheepdog trials. |
www.petmedsonline.org/least-intelligent-dogs.html Basset Hound The Basset Hound (right) is well known for its scenting ability and endurance when tracking. They are also very well behaved and even tempered, and great with children. Not so much due to their intelligence level, but more for their independent and willful nature. Beagles make great family pets, and love company and affection. They are great with children and other dogs, but be careful socializing Beagles with other household pets such as cats. A good idea is to socialize a Beagle with other pets when they are young, to avoid any problems in the future. They have a gentle nature, but at the same time make excellent guard dogs. Mastiffs can be quite stubborn at times, which some may confuse with a lack of intelligence. Be sure to practice your training often, even for tricks your Mastiff has already learned. They have a very independent and dominating nature that requires firmness and consistency. Although wary of strangers, they are very affectionate with their masters. The Pekingese are extremely brave for their size, and make surprisingly good watchdogs! These dogs can track any scent, even a scent trail that is over one hundred hours old. The Bloodhound is extremely determined, and has an outstanding work ethic. They keep themselves very clean, and aren't as driven to please their masters as most dogs. This makes them a little bit harder to train, but they make up for this in their loyalty and affectionate nature with people they know well. They are extremely loyal to their family, and can be quite jealous of visitors to its master's home. Chow Chows have a dominant nature and require a strong-willed owner and firm hand, or they will quickly take charge of the household! Again, this dog's extreme stubbornness may be mistaken for a lack of intelligence. Along with their menacing appearance, not many burglars would want to mess with a dog that is bred to guard, control, and bait bulls! Conversely, Bulldogs are also among the most gentle of breeds, who are very affectionate and gentle with children. Bulldogs are great family dogs that require a lot of human attention and affection to ensure their happiness. They are another dog that display cat-like characteristics, often grooming themselves and/or staring out the window for hours a day! But if you live in an apartment or condominium and think a Basenji would be perfect for you, think again. Basenjis are a very active dog that require frequent walks or, at the very least, a spacious backyard. They can be a bit temperamental (A lot of human contact from the puppy stage helps with this) and harder to train than most dogs. They are sweet, affectionate, and sensitive, with a low dominance level. But at the same time, they are quite noble and courageous when they need to be. Their low "obedience level" is well known among dog breeders and trainers. But like a few of the other breeds on this list, the Afghan Hound has many cat-like personality traits. So this begs the question: are Afghan Hounds really the least intelligent dog, or the most independent thinking? In 1994, nearly 200 judges from the Canadian and US Kennel Clubs were asked to complete a questionaire about the characteristics of various dog breeds, most notably the intelligence level of these breeds. The intelligence ratings were based on how many repetitions it took for a certain breed to master a new command. The breeds on our list took at least 80 repetitions (or more) to learn a new command, and tended to obey first commands less than 25 per cent of the time. Source: The Intelligence of Dogs By Stanley Coren (New York: The Free Press, 1994) If your dog is on the list, don't despair, it doesn't make him love you any less! |