Top 10 Least Intelligent Dogs
It was inevitable to write this list after we posted the top 10 most intelligent dogs. With good comes bad and with smart comes stupid. With every positive quality comes a negative. Yes, this applies to dog breeds, as silly as it may sound. You have probably seen or heard about how smart some dogs are. These dogs are usually the ones that hog up all of the limelight. Mostly everyone wants an intelligent dog that can be trained to do things that most dogs can’t. On the other hand, some people don’t.
What’s so wrong with a not-so-intelligent dog anyway? It all depends on what you want to do with the dog. If you’re looking for a dog that will herd your cattle, you’ll want one that is on the more intelligent side. If you’re looking for a lap dog to sit and cuddle with day-to-day, you probably aren’t too worried about how smart the dog is. It’s time to steal some of the thunder from those intelligent breeds. Move over Labradors! Here is a list of the top 10 least intelligent dog breeds:
10. Basset Hound
At the top of the list is the Basset Hound. You can find this breed sporting droopy eyes and long ears that drag on the floor when it walks. These dogs have a very keen sense of smell and can pick up odors most dogs can’t. Though this breed of dog lacks intelligence, they are very gentle dogs and are devoted to their owners. Basset Hounds aren’t the brightest dog in the bunch, but they have great tempers and are great around people. Even though you might be stuck repeating “sit, speak” or other commands to a Basset Hound, this breed of dog is perfect for an owner who is looking for a dog that is well behaved.
9. Beagle
Another breed of dog that has been proven very challenging to train is the Beagle. Though these dogs are very cute and cuddly, they can easily drive you up the wall, especially when you are trying to train them to do certain things. Beagles can’t be necessarily considered stupid dogs, but they are very independent, which makes training much harder than it is with many other breeds of dog. This breed is always sure to provide its owner love and attention, especially after the long day of learning how to heel. Beagles are generally small to medium sized dogs and are great with children and other breeds of dogs, just not cats.
9. Mastiff
Does bigger breed always mean bigger brain? Not in this case. The Mastiff is one of the biggest dog breeds available, but they have proven to be extremely stubborn. The Mastiff can weigh up to 130lbs. It’s like you have another person living in your home with you! Though they have always been great guard dogs, training a Mastiff to do certain things is most definitely a task at hand. If you plan to train a Mastiff, you want to have previous dog training experience. You also want to be sure that you speak in a kind, soft voice since these big-bodied dogs are a little on the sensitive side. When training a Mastiff, it is important that the sessions are short and sweet.
7. Pekingese
What a name, huh? The Pekingese has proven to be a very difficult dog to train. You might be able to blame it on the fact that these breed of dog has so much hair everywhere. Maybe it’s so hard to train because it can’t see or hear properly because of all of the fur! Though this would be a great excuse for the Pekingese, this breed of dog is simply very independent and dominating. Training a Pekingese can be like training a very stubborn child. In order to successfully train this breed of dog, you have to be firm and you have to be consistent. This is the perfect example of a small dog with a big heart. Though ranging from a small to medium sized dog, the Pekingese has always been a great breed to have as a watch dog. They are extremely loyal to their owners, but stubborn at the same time.
6. Bloodhound
This may come as a surprise. The Bloodhound is #6 on the list. If you’ve heard anything about this breed of dog, you have probably heard about how great of a nose it has. Though not the most intelligent dog, I think it’s safe to say that the keen sense of smell this breed of dog has is enough to reconsider its “low” intelligence. The Bloodhound can track any scent that is needs to. Amazingly, these dogs are able to trace and follow a scent trail that is hundreds of hours old. Could your dog’s nose do that? Probably not! When it comes to training the Bloodhound, you need to be firm and be extremely patient. They are independent and determined dogs, so they kind of follow their nose more than they follow your training commands.
5. Borzoi (Russian Wolfhound)
If you have ever had a pet cat, you can relate to owning a Borzoi. This breed of dog is extremely cat-like, especially when it comes to the independent and free-thinking nature of the dog. Though not an extremely popular dog, many people enjoy this breed because of the affection they bring. The Borzoi can be seen as one of those “stuck-up” dogs. As silly as it sounds, these dogs are generally more concerned about themselves than they are their masters. You can probably find a Borzoi cleaning itself. If you are willing to spend hours upon hours training this type of dog, good luck! Again, this dog, despite its hardships when it comes to learning training commands, is a very loyal dog that is extremely affectionate.
4. Chow Chow
No we’re not talking about food. This is another breed of dog that has a personality that is very similar to a cat. Chow Chows are generally small indoor dogs with a yappy bark. The Chow Chow demands attention, especially when there is a new visitor at the home. They are a very jealous breed of dog and like to be at the center of everything. Any owner who has a Chow Chow must be firm and strong-willed. This breed of dog, though small, is very dominant and can easily take charge of its owner if the owner isn’t firm enough. Again, this dog isn’t stupid, it has proven to be very hard to train because of the nature and personality of the dog. Remember, stubborn doesn’t mean stupid. In any case, the Chow Chow is a great dog to have around the house to snuggle with.
3. Bulldogs
Despite the name, Bulldogs are one of the most gentle and affectionate breed of dog that you will ever come into contact with. The Bulldog is a very courageous dog that sometimes seems to have a mind of its own. Don’t let the name fool you. Yes a Bulldog can guard, control, and bait a bull, but it takes time and patience in order to train a Bulldog to do so. These dogs are very dependable, but it’s getting past the training part that becomes a hassle. Bulldogs are extremely great dogs when it comes to guarding the home. If you’ve ever seen a Bulldog, you’ve probably noticed that its face isn’t the prettiest one around. Who would want to mess with a dog with such a mean face? Bulldogs are very affectionate and time consuming, especially with training.
2. Basenji
Another not-so-popular dog, but let’s bring it to the spotlight. The Basenji is known for its bark. It is so unique in the fact that it sometimes can sound like a human being either laughing or crying. If you’ve ever been around a Basenji, you’ve probably looked around for a baby or a chuckling human. This breed of dog is just another breed that has cat-like characteristics. These dogs can spend hours grooming themselves, much like cats. After grooming, you can probably find a Basenji looking out the window, watching everything outside. These dogs have proven to be very temperamental as well as independent. This is what makes the Basenji a hard breed of dog to train.
1. Afghan Hound
The Afghan Hound is one of the oldest breeds of dogs known today. They were around during ancient times and their personalities haven’t changed much. They are affectionate and love being around their owners. They are also extremely sensitive and don’t have a high dominance level. Though these dogs aren’t looking to rule above you, they have an extremely low obedience level. You may need to call for your Afghan Hound a few times before it comes back inside of the house. Many say that the personality of the breed makes up for its lack of intelligence. The Afghan Hound has also been said to be cat-like and prefers to be on its own instead of listening to an owner.
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Really? No comments? I guess no one wants to admit they have one of these breeds. Well, my brother had a bulldog and he was a great dog and so much fun to play with. Intelligence can be a detriment at times. The smarter the dog the more destructive they can be as they can get bored very easily.
The pics are great. Although the Basenji (#2) looks quite thoughtful. Chows definitely deserve to be on this list, but they are beautiful to see.
My boyfriend has a German Shepard and let me tell you I wish we had an unintelligent dog. I swear to you all, the dog understands every single English word. He knows too much and he dominates everyone. Not to mention, he is only loyal to his master (my boyfriend) and pays no attention to anyone else in the house. I think I want a beagle as our next dog. There so cute just like Uno, who won last years dog show =)
German Shepard’s are definitely one of the most intelligent and loyal dogs around, however going to beagle is quite a step down. Beagles, if trained well can be obedient and intelligent but generally not that smart. I had two growing up, both were constant calamities in terms of injuries, but hilarious to watch and play with.
beagles are not stupid just stubborn. i have had 2 at the same time one was older and he used to go scratch at the back door to go outside then when you got p to let him out he ran to your seat and glared at you if you tried to move him. my other dog was 1and a half when we got here and she had 2 litters of puppies already but she was pretty smart. we could let her out in the front yard and she would never run off and we could walk here without a lesh. but we had to put both of them down the girl most recently. but i really love beagles and want another one
This isn’t really a list of stupid dogs, but a list of stubborn or independent dogs. I think it’s the individual dog that can be stupid. One of my dogs is very smart, and the other one has no common sense whatsoever.
I think one very important dog was left off the list. The Yorkie, I find those dogs to be the dumbest, most annoying, most hyper dog on the planet. I have a Shepard and the brains on him are incredible but Yorkies o man!
i disagree about the chow being a stupid dog. my aunt has one and he has to be one of the most intelligent dogs ive ever seen, its pretty remarkable. ill put a video on youtube of him to prove it
Would anybody happen to know how intelligent shihtzu’s are?
i was pretty surprised to see bulldogs on there, i thought they were supposed to be pretty smart dogs
i had an american bulldog that was 3 months old i was walkin him when a bigger dog ran by and scared him away atleast a mile from my home, i thought for sure he was gone and id never see him again and when i cam back home he was laying down on the porch bulldogs are VERY INTELLIGENT
I disagree with Basset Hounds being on this list. I’ve had bassets all of my life and they are very intelligent dogs. Most people confuse stupidity with being stubborn. They are quick to pick up on things at an early age and once they are trained right, they will do anything for you. They aren’t dumb, just independent and sport the greatest personality.
Katherine, that is what the whole list is based upon, how easily you can train a dog. No dogs are exactly “stupid,” but notice the Basset Hound is at #10 on the list? That’s because they ARE stubborn. The list wasn’t made to call any dog stupid or not smart, just to point out that some dogs are much more trainable than others.
Thanks for reading my list, comments are appreciated.
Bulldogs aren’t stupid,per say, they just don’t like to please humans. My parents bred bulldogs,and they are deffinitely stubbon dogs,if they have a place on the couch,don’t expect them to move. Beagels,now,are stupid dogs. My boyfriend has one and the thing never shuts up.Also,setters are pretty stupid.Amazing dogs,so nice, but stupid.Like get stuck on the roof in a blizzard stupid.
Will all I have to say about the last comment is do some history because Beagles are not stupid that is what they where breed to do. If you do your history you will find that all dogs have a past that can help to explain why they do what they do. So this hole stupid dog thing is stupid. i think they should of named it misunderstood dogs instead. : ) o one more thing, all dogs have their own personality just like people so yea you can end up with a stubborn dog, that is just personality and it doesn’t have to do with the breed.
Aussie Lover,
Again, this list is not based on how “dumb” a dog is. There’s no IQ test for a dog to determine it’s intelligence. The list is based on how trainable a breed of dog is. I understand all that you said, but let’s not read into the list title so much.
beagles are so hard to train because of how intelligent they are not how unintelligent they are… I have a beagle and she is smarter than most people i know
I found my ex’s basenji to be extremely intelligent. She could climb anything to destroy it. She ate through, destroyed or busted: walls, floors, a bookcase, two couches, four or five chairs, a table, two of my winter coats (stored in a closet), two pairs of my glasses, countless groceries (even those on the top shelves of a cabinet with doors), a couple of dozen books, a car seat, a cordless drill, an electric screwdriver, and many, many, many other items. However, she never learned any obedience commands. Nor did she recognize her name, unless you were holding food. Never again.
Ashley,
But it’d be pretty cool if there WAS an IQ test for dogs…
Watch this space, I think I’m onto something!
PS: Someone once told me that Beagles were really smart.. :S
God Bless,
x
Milly,
That WOULD be cool, but hard to imagine how it’d even be administered.
I believe in a sense that all dogs are smart. All breeds are made to do a certain thing, therefore a dog can be smart in a certain action, like retrieving, or herding.
As for Beagles, I’ve done my research on them because I wanted one, and yes they are smart, but they are extremely stubborn and don’t always stay focused. They often get sidetracked by scents, which again, isn’t the dog’s fault, just the breed.
I had a basenji a long, long time ago who was extremely easy for me to train… but very willful. She was a regular Houdini. You couldn’t keep her penned for anything.
Also, I want to know why dalmatians aren’t on this list. I’ve never known a good, even-tempered, smart dalmatian. Maybe that’s just me?
To call any of these dogs un-intelligent is a bit much. I have worked with several chow chows through my volunteer work and I have not found any of them to be unintelligent. I had a friend who owned a Beagle and her dog was very smart. Many of this breeds simple take a bit longer to train not because they are stupid but often because they can be very independent and stubborn. The list of the smartest dogs is all dogs that just learn more quickly and pick things up faster. Those breeds are often not as independent and stubborn as some breeds can be. The truth is you really have to base dog by dog. You can even have a dog on the smart list who is not that smart. It does not take rocket scientist that if someone wants a herding dog they are going to pick a breed that has been bred for that specific job.
This is a Dog IQ test â?? It tests a dogs “adaptive intelligence- the ability to solve problems, understand language and learn social cues, like responding to a human smile.”
http://www.abc.net.au/animals/dog_test/
Basenji’s have successfully survived in Africa since ancient times. They are technically semi domesticated and therefore should not be on the list, they have only been around western culture for a little while. In fact they are prized in africa for their intelligence because they are still used by the tribespeople of the Congo. They are extremely independent and find no use in followin orders since they have survived on their own for such a long time. Dumb list.
So you should have titled the list “most difficult dogs to train.”
Intelligence and ability to train do not necessarily go hand-in-hand. If that were the case, it could be argued that Saluki’s are the most unintelligent dogs. That is FAR from truth.
Yes. Change the title. It’s offensive and false.
i have say it, basset hounds are very unintellegent, my friend owns 1 and they are so clumsy, but at the same time are the 1 of the most cuttest dogs i have ever seen
Uhm. Well, the least intelligent? Not true. It depends on the trainer. They may be hard to train, and a little stubborn, but that doesn’t make them the least intelligent. Just the hardest to train. Ugh, if you make a list, make it non offensive please.
Umm…chow chows are large dogs! Not small and yappy!
Agreed with kittyx. Chows weigh between 50-70 pounds and were guard and work dogs. I think maybe you were looking for a Chihuahua?
Whoever wrote this list should have done a bit more research and picked a different title. Most of the dogs listed are difficult to train precisely because they are intelligent and can think for themselves. Obviously, this does not make them unintelligent. Also, the descriptions of some of the breeds are inaccurate (eg, as kittyx pointed out regarding Chow Chows). This article is a bit ridiculous.
I agree with kittyx, chow chows are large dogs. Now who do you think should be included on the list?
I’ve had a basset hound for over 2 years and when it was a pup it wouldn’t listen to anyone unless they bribed her with food(they are like garbage disposals if you ask me). =D but once we said her name enough and used her treats to tell her what to do(she would only listen to the treat) lol. my point is…they are smart enough to do all the tricks you can teach. it’s just that sometimes owners don’t give them the right motivation. it’s different for a lot of different breeds. some like socks some like napkins….usually something they can chew on or eat.
ERS: puppy’s are soo cute!!!
PS: ERS means Extremely Random Statement
hitler owned a afgan.. says alot doesnt it lol
they are nice dogs, but they are truly a bit doey.
our next door neighbour owns 2 and 1 ran [literally] into a telegraph pole
Actually, the fact Hitler owned an Afghan hound doesn’t say anything. Afghan hounds are one of the oldest breeds and loved for their beauty and grace.
I’ve seen my beloved chow-chow on several “stupid” lists, now. I generally have pretty thick skin about it because so few people understand the breed; however, the description of the breed in this list is simply inaccurate. Comparing a chow to a cat IS a pretty good analogy. Chows are notoriously independent and aloof; however, contrary to the author’s assertion, they couldn’t care less about attention from strangers (in fact they are VERY suspicious and stand-offish with strangers) and are only mildly interested in attention from their owner. Not being “attention hounds”, they DO NOT suffer from jealousy at all. They keep a keen eye on their owner to ensure no harm is coming to him/her (as their owner is THEIR property), otherwise they have little to no interest in new people. A chow NEVER seeks to be the center of attention. Instead they prefer to leave others alone and be left alone. Chow chows are a MEDIUM to LARGE sized dog and I can assure that anyone who has had one bark at them would NOT describe their bark as “yappy”. In fact, far from being “yappy”, chows only bark with cause…and it is a VERY foreboding bark. They are a very quiet dog unless riled. If my chow barks, I get up and check, because he doesn’t bark to hear the sound of his own voice. Although they look fuzzy and cuddly, most chows do not really enjoy being cuddled and fawned over; though, they will suffer this indignity in moderation from their owner. They do not play fetch, frisbee, come when called, or perform any other “trick” they deem to be beneath their dignity. Stubborn? Oh, HELL YES! Stupid, NO.
This is wrong, beagles are one of the smartest dogs……. So change the list
ya you are stupid if you think that beagles are stupid. beagles are very smart. they are hard to train because the are a sent hound. so do not think that the beagle hound is a dumb dog because they are not. TIP:if you having traing probs. with your beagle food if the key because the like smells.