Dumbest Dog Breeds: 12 Dog Breeds Considered Stupid and Reasons Why

Many dog owners would suggest they have more intelligent pets than science would give credit for. Many pet owners would represent their dogs as much more intelligent than they may be. Dogs are intelligent animals; they speak to humans to survive and get fed. Your dog is devoted to you, and the notion of being man’s best friend is truthful. If you own a dog or a cat, you may be interested to know that certain breeds are prized for their intelligence.

Some of the world’s most intelligent dogs excel beyond what an average pet can do. Most canines can understand up to 165 companions after being considered well-trained, and some dogs learn as many as 250 words with great ease. The world’s most intelligent dog could recognize over 1000 commands; that breed was a border collie. Suppose the breed is prized for its intelligence, and some other species stack up as the smartest. Some breeds are considered to be some of the least intelligent dog breeds.

READ MORE: Border Collie vs Australian Shepherd

What determines the most intelligent and dumbest dog?

The intelligence of dogs is often measured on a scale produced by a 1994 psychologist named Stanley Coren. He published a book called the Intelligence of dogs, where he ranked over 100 different breeds of dogs on several factors of intelligence:

• Their Adaptive Intelligence: Their ability to solve problems and learn from previous experiences.
• Their instinctive Intelligence: This Intelligence is their ability to inherently perform tasks that a breed is known for, such as hunting or retrieving.
• Obedience and working intelligence: this is a demonstration of how easy the dog is to train and help that they are to come and be taught by humans.

Some of the most intelligent dog breeds identified in this study included the border collie, standard poodle, German Shepherd, Golden retriever, Labrador retriever, Doberman, Papillon, Australian cattle dog, and Rottweiler.

The science behind the dumbest dog breeds:

All dogs are bred for different skills, and the science behind their intelligence or proven intelligence comes down to the test they are given. Some dogs have hyper-specific tasks that they need to take on, such as sniffing out packages or working as a guide dog, but others need to be more well-rounded in their training.

It’s hard to determine the intelligence of the dumbest dog breeds, and it’s essential to take these results with a grain of salt, as many of the behaviors can be harder to measure. Some people are better at math, and others are better at history; dogs have unique skills and intellectual traits that help them solve puzzles and reveal how their minds work.

The research that we have done on some of the world’s most intelligent and dumbest dogs might not be accurate because of the scientific variables used. Most read only 150 years old, so it is scientifically proven that they are the most intelligent breed compared to their ancestors. The sample sizes for these studies are also relatively small, and a researcher would likely need to test thousands of puppies in every breed to get accurate results. There is variation between individual dogs in each breed, just as there is variation between breeds studied scientifically. Based on the results of Dr. Cohen’s study, however, there are many experts in canine health and training that use the book as a reference. Below you will find a list of the dumbest dog breeds and why they’re considered dumb based on his study:

The dumbest dog breeds and why they have been called dumb:

1. Afghan Hound

Based on the book, the Afghan hound is considered one of the dumbest dog breeds in the world. One of the reasons that the Afghan hound is widely considered to be a dumber breed is because they are aloof and sighthounds. Afghan hounds are a dog breed that has regularly used as guard dogs, and they can be very stubborn and difficult with strangers. Because of the challenges of training and gaining their trust, they can often be difficult to teach commands to, and it’s hard for them to focus as they let their guard down.

2. Basenji

The Basenji is another breed known for being quite aloof and very independent. The breed is considered difficult to train, which is often why they’re labeled unintelligent. The breed is extremely curious it difficult for them to find the focus to follow commands. Due to their extra curiosity and inquisitive nature, they can often be a dog that doesn’t seem to age. They’re not persistently obedient but can be trained if they receive plenty of positive reinforcement in a focused environment. According to the guide, these are intelligent dogs; you have to be an extremely patient owner to have one of these breeds.

3. Bulldogs

The American and British versions of the Bulldogs regularly are known for being difficult to train and unintelligent. What puts Bulldogs on the list of the dumbest breeds often comes down to their energy levels and their stubbornness. The dog breed does not enjoy vigorous activities and is often too stubborn to learn new commands. They’re capable of taking on new learning, but they can be labeled lazy or dumb because they can be tough to get through.

READ MORE: American Bulldog and Pitbull Terrier Differences and Similarities

4. Mastiffs

Mastiffs are known for being very sweet, and they are also a giant breed. They list the dumbest dog breeds because they were bred specifically for big-game hunting and battle. Throughout generations, this aggressive nature has been bred out of the dogs, and they’re known to be extremely devoted companions without a focus. Mastiffs are very stubborn and often suffer from the same personality traits we find in bulldogs. They are sweet companions but require patience and training to interact more easily with humans.

5. Basset Hound

Breeds of hounds commonly list the dumbest dog breeds, which often comes down to their objective as a dog breed. The Basset hound was designed as a scent hunter, and many hound breeds often fall victim to the same focus. Hounds are intelligent dogs in the instinctive intelligence aspect of their training, but it’s tough to follow commands and learn new cues because they’re constantly using their sense of smell. Basset hounds are often unfocused, and with the nature of their body shape, their also fairly low energy and lethargic. As a result, Basset hounds are named amongst the dumbest breeds because they are tough to train and they are also very low energy.

RELATED: Calmest Dog Breeds

6. Pekingese

The Pekinese breed has also found its way to the top of the list of dumb dog breeds. The dog’s skill set is very low, and it is a breed continuously produced for its looks rather than its intelligence. They’re known for being adorable dogs, but they can be a handful to train because the breed has never had an instinctual focus. This dog breed was designed as a companion or designer dog from the very start, often making them considered a dumb breed.

7. Chow Chow

Chow Cows are some of the world’s oldest breeds, dating back to the Han Dynasty of China. They are bred for hunting and guarding, and with these instincts in mind, it can often be hard for them to drop their instinctual training to take new cues. They can be smart dog when it comes to their guarding ability, but they can also be extremely stubborn as a result. The Chow Chow makes its way to the list of the world’s dumbest dog breeds, but they are also an excellent companion.

8. Shih Tzu

Shih Tzus were regularly bred for their looks. Chinese emperors valued their soft hair, beautiful faces, and small stature. They were often lapdogs of royalty but bred only to be companions without any instinctual focus. They often can be tough to train because they are extra playful, stubborn, and easily distracted. The breed can be hard to stay motivated and focused, and this can make them super hard to train.

READ MORE: All About Shih Tzu and Yorkshire Terrier Mix

9. The Chihuahua

This breed thinks it is much larger than it is and can often come with a fierce following from its owners. The big dog persona is often what holds back the Chihuahua as far as intelligence, and they can be really difficult to train. Chihuahuas are not unintelligent, but they are commonly able to find themselves getting into mischief and finding ways to get what they want. They are commonly motivated towards food and have not been bred for a specific working task as a stubborn breed. They can be dominant dogs against other pets and this makes them a shoe-in for the list of dumb dog breeds. As a result, the Chihuahua is often a dog that is found on laps and close to its owners. They enjoy learning new tricks, but it is mostly for the rewards.

10. Bull Terrier

The Bull Terrier is a dog that is commonly loved on television, and it can be seen throughout many Hollywood films and commercials. The Bull Terrier is known for being a very charming dog and for their devotion to their owners. The breed is a bulldog mixed with a terrier, and they have picked up several traits from the bulldog. Unfortunately, they have been around since the 13 century and were originally bred for fighting. Their aggressive nature has been bred out of them, but their stubborn nature for training continues. They can have plenty of canine intelligence, but it takes regular training sessions to have them as companion dogs. This is why they are often placed amongst the world’s dumbest breeds of dogs.

11. Bloodhound

Similarly to a basset hound, The bloodhound is known as being an excellent hunting dog. Because they are so focused on hunting with their nose, they are often challenging to train. Bloodhounds will always be focused on various smells, and they are known as being very strong-willed. They are slow to pick up new tricks and are also very frustrating to train because they can be super independent. They are generally very well-tempered dogs, but they can take time to see through their training. If you are okay with a breed that is tougher to train but also very loving, a hound can be a fun pet to have. Just keep in mind that a lot of their instinctual intelligence towards scents can be a point of focus for them.

12. Beagle

The beagle falls into many of the same stubbornness traps that the bloodhound does. They are known for being highly independent dogs and quite dependent on their noses. They won’t want to sit still for a long period or focus on training. They are loveable pets but require patience to train and a lot of focus from their owner. Short training sessions are usually best because they have a minimal attention span. They are very loyal to their families, and they can be a popular choice of breed, even though they are considered to be among the dumbest breeds.

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