The Border Collie<\/a> is widely considered to be the world\u2019s smartest dog breed<\/a> (with the Poodle<\/a> coming in close second). If some dog breeds are the smartest, it only makes sense that some dog breeds are the dumbest, right? An internet search for dumbest dog breeds will turn up numerous lists of those breeds people think are less intelligent in some ways.<\/p>\n What determines which dogs are among the dumbest dog breeds? Photography by Waldemar Dabrowski \/ Shutterstock.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n So, just what makes a dog smart \u2014 or puts him in the rankings for the dumbest dog breeds? Is it simply how trainable he is? His ability to remember things? Sense of direction? Energy level? Something else?<\/p>\n In 1994, a psychologist named Stanley Coren, PhD., DSc., FRSC, wrote a book called The Intelligence of Dogs<\/em><\/a> (Atria Books). Dr. Coren ranked more than 100 dog breeds based on three specific types of intelligence:<\/p>\n Border Collies top the list of smartest dog breeds. Photography by oneinchpunch \/ Shutterstock.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Beagles make the list for dumbest dog breeds. Photography by alex_ugalek\/Thinkstock.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n So, does this mean these are the 10 dumbest dog breeds? Well, not necessarily.<\/p>\n \u201cHow smart you appear to be depends on the test,\u201d says Nicholas Dodman, BVMS, Dipl. ACVB, professor emeritus and former section head and program director of the Animal Behavior Clinic at the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University<\/a>. \u201cUntil quite recently, I had two dogs. One of them\u00a0was hyper and the other dog would sort of lie around like a lump. You would say Jasper was not\u00a0as smart as Rusty. But once you were out on a trail, Jasper lit up. He was doing the job that nature intended him to do because he was a coonhound, and he was using his super-intelligent nose<\/a>. He was brilliant at his job, but not so good at some other things.\u201d<\/p>\n It\u2019s no secret that purebred dogs have very different skills depending on what they were bred to do. For instance, herding breeds<\/a> like Border Collies, Australian Shepherds and Corgis are universally considered to be extremely intelligent. Due to the nature of their work, they are excellent at both making independent decisions\u00a0and taking instructions from humans.<\/p>\n Why do so many hound dog breeds<\/a> make the list of dumbest dogs breeds? \u201cPretty much all scenthounds are governed by their noses,\u201d Dr. Dodman says. \u201cThey\u2019re hard to train because they don\u2019t really look up, they look down. They\u2019re not really interested in listening or pleasing anybody, they\u2019re just interested in tracking with their noses. The sighthounds want to chase anything that moves. For every dog breed there\u2019s a purpose, and the mixed breeds are just a combination of the purebreds. I can see how it might be easy to superficially judge a dog who is kind of slow and not paying a lot of attention to what you say and really not that interested in performing tricks, but it doesn\u2019t mean that they\u2019re not smart, and in some ways, being very independent could be more intelligent than being obedient.\u201d<\/p>\n Scenthounds<\/a> like Basset Hounds, Beagles and Bloodhounds can sniff out almost anything. Sighthounds<\/a> can spot their prey making the slightest movement and swiftly chase it down. A Border Collie is far more trainable than a Bloodhound, but a Bloodhound is far superior at tracking scents than a Border Collie. They each have different skills, but they excel in their own ways.<\/p>\n Dr. Dodman notes how gauging human intelligence can present a similar conundrum to determining the dumbest dog breeds. \u201cIt just depends on how you grade people,\u201d he explains. \u201cSome people are good at math, some people are good at English. You can be good at some things and not so good at others.\u201d<\/p>\n Considering the vast differences in skill sets among dogs, and taking into account the fact that dogs don\u2019t speak our language, how can we accurately assess a dog\u2019s intelligence and thus, the dumbest dog breeds? \u201cIt seems to be like multiple intelligences,\u201d Dr. Dodman says. \u201cDo you measure them as being particularly bright like Jasper, almost a savant, when it came to hunting<\/a>? Or do you have to average out all the behaviors over 10 different types of behavior and give them an average score, which I imagine would come back to be pretty much the same for all dogs?\u201d<\/p>\n Brian Hare, Ph.D., associate professor of evolutionary anthropology at Duke University<\/a> in North Carolina, and founder of the Duke Canine Cognition Center<\/a>, studies dog psychology. \u201cWe play the same types of games that researchers play with young children,\u201d he says. \u201cWe give dogs puzzles to solve, and the choices they make reveal how their minds work.\u201d<\/p>\n According to Dr. Hare, dog intelligence and the dumbest dog breeds are not black and white matters. \u201cI don\u2019t really think there is any such thing as \u2018smart\u2019 dogs and \u2018dumb\u2019 dogs,\u201d he states. \u201cThat is just a throwback to a linear version of intelligence, as though intelligence is a cup of coffee that is more or less full. Different dogs are good at different things. And all of them are geniuses in their own way.\u201d<\/p>\n As it turns out, some of the research done to determine the most intelligent dogs or dumbest dog breeds might not be entirely accurate.<\/p>\n \u201cThe scientific work on breeds has not really held up,\u201d Dr. Hare states. \u201cMost breeds are only 150 years old, so there is very little to distinguish them. To scientifically prove the smartest breed, you would need to compare at least 30 dogs from each breed. They would have to be puppies raised and tested in a similar manner to control for the effect to rearing history and age on performance. If you took the AKC breeds or all breeds worldwide, you would need between 6,000 to 12,000 puppies, decades of work, millions of dollars and about a thousand graduate students. It is no wonder no one has done it.\u201d<\/p>\n In fact, in his own research, Dr. Hare has seen as much variation within a breed as between them. \u201cFor example, Labradors bred for the military are the same breed as Labradors bred to be assistance dogs<\/a> \u2014\u00a0and you have never seen two more different dogs in your life,\u201d he explains.<\/p>\n Humans categorizing certain breeds as the dumbest dog breeds is less about truly measuring their intelligence and more about not understanding the breed\u2019s particular skillset.<\/p>\n \u201cNo individual dog or an entire breed should be considered \u2018dumb,\u2019\u201d\u00a0says Gina DiNardo, executive secretary for the American Kennel Club<\/a>. \u201cEase of training is not an accurate way to assess a dog\u2019s intelligence. What we humans may perceive as an animal being \u2018dumb\u2019 may be independence, stubbornness<\/a> or aloofness, which are common characteristics in many breeds. Training<\/a> takes time and patience, and every dog is different. Learn different training techniques available, and if you are having problems, seek out a trainer who can give you the skills that you need to teach your dog.\u201d<\/p>\n So, what is it about certain breeds that caused them to end up as the dumbest dog breeds in Dr. Coren\u2019s book The Intelligence of Dogs? <\/em>Let\u2019s take a look at each of the supposed dumbest dog breeds.<\/p>\n The Afghan Hound is the “dumbest” dog. Photography by Olga_i \/ Shutterstock.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n The Afghan Hound tops the dumbest dog breeds list according to The Intelligence of Dogs,<\/em> but Afghan lovers surely disagree. Afghans are sighthounds, which means they were bred to hunt using their extraordinary speed and eyesight. Like many sighthounds, Afghans can be aloof, which means they can be a little standoffish and reserved, especially with strangers. They can also be stubborn and independent. Due to these traits, Afghans are not easy to train, but that doesn\u2019t mean they\u2019re dumb. They simply prefer to think for themselves and do things on their own terms. You might have to be more creative when training an Afghan, but their elegance, regal air and devotion to their humans makes them special companions.<\/p>\n Basenjis also make the list of dumbest dog breeds.\u00a0Photography by krushelss \/ Shutterstock.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n The Basenji is another sighthound that makes the list of dumbest dog breeds for his independence and aloofness. Some people describe this breed as having feline qualities, and in fact, many Basenjis will groom themselves like cats. The breed has earned a reputation for being \u201cuntrainable,\u201d but again, ease of training is not always an accurate indicator of intelligence. Quite the contrary, Basenjis are intelligent, curious and playful. Like inquisitive toddlers, they are smart enough to get into trouble if you don\u2019t watch them carefully. Raising a Basenji can sometimes feel like taming a wild animal. They are watchful and wary, and although most bond with their owners, they may or may not like your friends. Bottom line: Basenjis are stubborn so they aren\u2019t consistently obedient, but they can be trained. Positive methods are best.<\/p>\n Bulldogs are known for their stubbornness. Photography \u00a9Lindsay_Helms | Thinkstock.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Another breed known for stubbornness on the list of dumbest dog breeds is the Bulldog. The term \u201cbullheaded\u201d fits the Bulldog to a T. For this reason, Bulldogs can be difficult to train, but dumb? You only have to look to one of the famous skateboarding or surfing Bulldogs to see that they are definitely capable of learning. Bulldogs are also labeled as lazy, but clearly some enjoy more vigorous activities than lying on the couch.<\/p>\n Chow Chows\u00a0can also be difficult to train. Photography by Sergieiev\/Shutterstock.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Chow Chows might look like adorable teddy bears, but they are not always the cuddly type. Originally bred to be guard dogs<\/a>, Chows are serious, independent and aloof. They are strong-willed and stubborn, and therefore more difficult to train, which lands them a spot on the list of dumbest dog breeds. Chows are intelligent \u2014\u00a0they just have minds of their own. If not trained correctly, Chows might challenge their humans for authority, which can become problematic. For these reasons, Chows require firm but fair training and extensive socialization<\/a> starting from an early age. When raised properly, Chows are noble, loyal and devoted companions.<\/p>\n Borzois are sighthounds and may be a bit stubborn. Photography \u00a9volofin | iStock \/ Getty Images Plus.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Yet another sighthound, the Borzoi is an independent freethinker. This breed gets on the dumbest dog breeds list since they can also be stubborn \u2014 training a Borzoi is an exercise in patience. Borzois seem to do best with frequent, short training sessions rather than hour-long classes. In the house, they are generally very well-mannered, calm, clean and quite affectionate, especially with their special people.<\/p>\n Bloodhounds are another hound dog on the list of dumbest dog breeds. Photography \u00a9alkir | iStock \/ Getty Images Plus.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n If you have ever witnessed the aurora borealis, the colorful northern lights display that transforming the night sky into a brilliant sight to behold, you might be able to understand how a scenthound like the Bloodhound \u201csees\u201d the world with his sensitive nose. Bloodhounds make the list of dumbest dog breeds and are hard to train because they are so distracted by all the glorious scents just waiting to be investigated. They also have a ton of energy, are stubborn and independent, and are absolutely relentless when on a scent trail. Combined together, the Bloodhound\u2019s unique skills can sometimes make these dogs challenging to live with, but enter a Bloodhound in a tracking event and watch his special talents shine.<\/p>\n Pekingese are\u00a0somewhat slow and sloth-like. Show Pekingese Malachy. Photography by by Debby Wong \/ Shutterstock.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n One reason people might think Pekingese are a little slow is the fact that they are somewhat sloth-like. At home, they enjoy lounging about and surveying their domain. This could be due to their physical build or partly held over from their history as sacred pets of the Tang Dynasty in 8th-century China. In fact, Pekingese were called \u201csleeve dogs\u201d because members of the Imperial household carried their cherished companions around snugly nestled in their voluminous sleeves. Can you blame the Peke for enjoying the easy life? Pekingese are also stubborn and difficult to housebreak. This doesn\u2019t make them dumb, but it does make for some training challenges. Start training early and be consistent.<\/p>\n A Beagle’s keen sense of smell often causes\u00a0people to label him as “dumb.” Photography \u00a9Halfpoint | Thinkstock.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Like Bloodhounds, Beagles like to follow their noses, which can sometimes get them into trouble … and lands them on the list of dumbest dog breeds. The Beagle\u2019s sweet, affectionate nature, combined with his happy-go-lucky outlook might lead you to think he\u2019s empty headed, but this breed is far from dumb. It\u2019s best to keep Beagles on a leash. They can\u2019t resist the urge to explore, smell the world and chase small critters.<\/p>\n Mastiffs make the list of dumbest dog breeds. Photography \u00a9Photology1971 | iStock \/ Getty Images Plus.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n The large, laid-back Mastiff is a very chill dog. So chill, in fact, that you might thing he\u2019s a little dense. They are also a bit stubborn and might be more challenging to train than some breeds. Again, activity level and ease of training aren\u2019t necessarily good indicators of intelligence. Mastiffs are actually quite bright. Due to their size and natural wariness of strangers, it\u2019s essential for owners to start training and socialization early in puppyhood so Mastiffs develop into well-behaved and discerning companions.<\/p>\n Basset Hounds, like Beagles and Bloodhounds, are very guided by\u00a0their sense of smell.\u00a0Photography by momente \/ Shutterstock.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Like the Pekingese, Basset Hounds can be a bit lazy. This could be in part to their long and low bodies or their laid-back personalities. Bassets can be a little stubborn, and like their scenthound cousins the Bloodhounds and the Beagles, Bassets might have trouble ignoring the amazing scents around them long enough to concentrate on learning. However, Bassets want to please their people and are very food motivated, so they do respond well to training. Don\u2019t mistake the Basset\u2019s easy-going personality for lack of intelligence, though. They are bright and affectionate dogs.<\/p>\n It\u2019s not fair to label any breed or individual dog dumb. Yes, some dogs are brighter than others, but most dogs are good at something \u2014 you just have to figure out what.<\/p>\n \u201cSome dogs do some things better than others, and they have different behaviors.,\u201d Dr. Dodman says. \u201cPolice dogs and army dogs tend to be the German Shepherd Dog and Malinois types because they\u2019re easily trainable. Does that mean they\u2019re smart? Or does it mean they\u2019re not so smart because they always follow other people\u2019s directions and don\u2019t think independently? You can argue it both ways.\u201d<\/p>\n Tell us:<\/strong> Is your dog’s breed or breeds on this list of dumbest dog breeds?<\/p>\n Thumbnail:\u00a0Photography \u00a9dimarik | Thinkstock.<\/em><\/p>\n Having trouble training your dog? Find out 3 reasons why dogs ignore our cues >><\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n Originally published in 2012 and updated in 2018.<\/em><\/p>\n Dog breed profiles help everyone, whether you have a mixed breed or purebred dog, to better understand and improve the quality of your dog\u2019s life. If you have a mixed breed dog, read up on all of the breed profiles that make up your dog. Not sure what breed your dog is? There are a number of easy DNA tests out there to help your find out.<\/em><\/p>\n The post Does Your Dog Make the List of the Dumbest Dog Breeds?<\/a> by Jackie Brown<\/a> appeared first on Dogster<\/a>. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren’t considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Dogster.com.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n \n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<\/p>\n The post Does Your Dog Make the List of the Dumbest Dog Breeds?<\/a> by Jackie Brown<\/a> appeared first on Dogster<\/a>. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren’t considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Dogster.com.<\/p>\n The Border Collie<\/a> is widely considered to be the world\u2019s smartest dog breed<\/a> (with the Poodle<\/a> coming in close second). If some dog breeds are the smartest, it only makes sense that some dog breeds are the dumbest, right? An internet search for dumbest dog breeds will turn up numerous lists of those breeds people think are less intelligent in some ways.<\/p>\n What determines which dogs are among the dumbest dog breeds? Photography by Waldemar Dabrowski \/ Shutterstock.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n So, just what makes a dog smart \u2014 or puts him in the rankings for the dumbest dog breeds? Is it simply how trainable he is? His ability to remember things? Sense of direction? Energy level? Something else?<\/p>\n In 1994, a psychologist named Stanley Coren, PhD., DSc., FRSC, wrote a book called The Intelligence of Dogs<\/em><\/a> (Atria Books). Dr. Coren ranked more than 100 dog breeds based on three specific types of intelligence:<\/p>\n Border Collies top the list of smartest dog breeds. Photography by oneinchpunch \/ Shutterstock.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Beagles make the list for dumbest dog breeds. Photography by alex_ugalek\/Thinkstock.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n So, does this mean these are the 10 dumbest dog breeds? Well, not necessarily.<\/p>\n \u201cHow smart you appear to be depends on the test,\u201d says Nicholas Dodman, BVMS, Dipl. ACVB, professor emeritus and former section head and program director of the Animal Behavior Clinic at the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University<\/a>. \u201cUntil quite recently, I had two dogs. One of them\u00a0was hyper and the other dog would sort of lie around like a lump. You would say Jasper was not\u00a0as smart as Rusty. But once you were out on a trail, Jasper lit up. He was doing the job that nature intended him to do because he was a coonhound, and he was using his super-intelligent nose<\/a>. He was brilliant at his job, but not so good at some other things.\u201d<\/p>\n It\u2019s no secret that purebred dogs have very different skills depending on what they were bred to do. For instance, herding breeds<\/a> like Border Collies, Australian Shepherds and Corgis are universally considered to be extremely intelligent. Due to the nature of their work, they are excellent at both making independent decisions\u00a0and taking instructions from humans.<\/p>\n Why do so many hound dog breeds<\/a> make the list of dumbest dogs breeds? \u201cPretty much all scenthounds are governed by their noses,\u201d Dr. Dodman says. \u201cThey\u2019re hard to train because they don\u2019t really look up, they look down. They\u2019re not really interested in listening or pleasing anybody, they\u2019re just interested in tracking with their noses. The sighthounds want to chase anything that moves. For every dog breed there\u2019s a purpose, and the mixed breeds are just a combination of the purebreds. I can see how it might be easy to superficially judge a dog who is kind of slow and not paying a lot of attention to what you say and really not that interested in performing tricks, but it doesn\u2019t mean that they\u2019re not smart, and in some ways, being very independent could be more intelligent than being obedient.\u201d<\/p>\n Scenthounds<\/a> like Basset Hounds, Beagles and Bloodhounds can sniff out almost anything. Sighthounds<\/a> can spot their prey making the slightest movement and swiftly chase it down. A Border Collie is far more trainable than a Bloodhound, but a Bloodhound is far superior at tracking scents than a Border Collie. They each have different skills, but they excel in their own ways.<\/p>\n Dr. Dodman notes how gauging human intelligence can present a similar conundrum to determining the dumbest dog breeds. \u201cIt just depends on how you grade people,\u201d he explains. \u201cSome people are good at math, some people are good at English. You can be good at some things and not so good at others.\u201d<\/p>\n Considering the vast differences in skill sets among dogs, and taking into account the fact that dogs don\u2019t speak our language, how can we accurately assess a dog\u2019s intelligence and thus, the dumbest dog breeds? \u201cIt seems to be like multiple intelligences,\u201d Dr. Dodman says. \u201cDo you measure them as being particularly bright like Jasper, almost a savant, when it came to hunting<\/a>? Or do you have to average out all the behaviors over 10 different types of behavior and give them an average score, which I imagine would come back to be pretty much the same for all dogs?\u201d<\/p>\n Brian Hare, Ph.D., associate professor of evolutionary anthropology at Duke University<\/a> in North Carolina, and founder of the Duke Canine Cognition Center<\/a>, studies dog psychology. \u201cWe play the same types of games that researchers play with young children,\u201d he says. \u201cWe give dogs puzzles to solve, and the choices they make reveal how their minds work.\u201d<\/p>\n According to Dr. Hare, dog intelligence and the dumbest dog breeds are not black and white matters. \u201cI don\u2019t really think there is any such thing as \u2018smart\u2019 dogs and \u2018dumb\u2019 dogs,\u201d he states. \u201cThat is just a throwback to a linear version of intelligence, as though intelligence is a cup of coffee that is more or less full. Different dogs are good at different things. And all of them are geniuses in their own way.\u201d<\/p>\n As it turns out, some of the research done to determine the most intelligent dogs or dumbest dog breeds might not be entirely accurate.<\/p>\n \u201cThe scientific work on breeds has not really held up,\u201d Dr. Hare states. \u201cMost breeds are only 150 years old, so there is very little to distinguish them. To scientifically prove the smartest breed, you would need to compare at least 30 dogs from each breed. They would have to be puppies raised and tested in a similar manner to control for the effect to rearing history and age on performance. If you took the AKC breeds or all breeds worldwide, you would need between 6,000 to 12,000 puppies, decades of work, millions of dollars and about a thousand graduate students. It is no wonder no one has done it.\u201d<\/p>\n In fact, in his own research, Dr. Hare has seen as much variation within a breed as between them. \u201cFor example, Labradors bred for the military are the same breed as Labradors bred to be assistance dogs<\/a> \u2014\u00a0and you have never seen two more different dogs in your life,\u201d he explains.<\/p>\n Humans categorizing certain breeds as the dumbest dog breeds is less about truly measuring their intelligence and more about not understanding the breed\u2019s particular skillset.<\/p>\n \u201cNo individual dog or an entire breed should be considered \u2018dumb,\u2019\u201d\u00a0says Gina DiNardo, executive secretary for the American Kennel Club<\/a>. \u201cEase of training is not an accurate way to assess a dog\u2019s intelligence. What we humans may perceive as an animal being \u2018dumb\u2019 may be independence, stubbornness<\/a> or aloofness, which are common characteristics in many breeds. Training<\/a> takes time and patience, and every dog is different. Learn different training techniques available, and if you are having problems, seek out a trainer who can give you the skills that you need to teach your dog.\u201d<\/p>\n So, what is it about certain breeds that caused them to end up as the dumbest dog breeds in Dr. Coren\u2019s book The Intelligence of Dogs? <\/em>Let\u2019s take a look at each of the supposed dumbest dog breeds.<\/p>\n The Afghan Hound is the “dumbest” dog. Photography by Olga_i \/ Shutterstock.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n The Afghan Hound tops the dumbest dog breeds list according to The Intelligence of Dogs,<\/em> but Afghan lovers surely disagree. Afghans are sighthounds, which means they were bred to hunt using their extraordinary speed and eyesight. Like many sighthounds, Afghans can be aloof, which means they can be a little standoffish and reserved, especially with strangers. They can also be stubborn and independent. Due to these traits, Afghans are not easy to train, but that doesn\u2019t mean they\u2019re dumb. They simply prefer to think for themselves and do things on their own terms. You might have to be more creative when training an Afghan, but their elegance, regal air and devotion to their humans makes them special companions.<\/p>\n Basenjis also make the list of dumbest dog breeds.\u00a0Photography by krushelss \/ Shutterstock.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n The Basenji is another sighthound that makes the list of dumbest dog breeds for his independence and aloofness. Some people describe this breed as having feline qualities, and in fact, many Basenjis will groom themselves like cats. The breed has earned a reputation for being \u201cuntrainable,\u201d but again, ease of training is not always an accurate indicator of intelligence. Quite the contrary, Basenjis are intelligent, curious and playful. Like inquisitive toddlers, they are smart enough to get into trouble if you don\u2019t watch them carefully. Raising a Basenji can sometimes feel like taming a wild animal. They are watchful and wary, and although most bond with their owners, they may or may not like your friends. Bottom line: Basenjis are stubborn so they aren\u2019t consistently obedient, but they can be trained. Positive methods are best.<\/p>\n Bulldogs are known for their stubbornness. Photography \u00a9Lindsay_Helms | Thinkstock.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Another breed known for stubbornness on the list of dumbest dog breeds is the Bulldog. The term \u201cbullheaded\u201d fits the Bulldog to a T. For this reason, Bulldogs can be difficult to train, but dumb? You only have to look to one of the famous skateboarding or surfing Bulldogs to see that they are definitely capable of learning. Bulldogs are also labeled as lazy, but clearly some enjoy more vigorous activities than lying on the couch.<\/p>\n Chow Chows\u00a0can also be difficult to train. Photography by Sergieiev\/Shutterstock.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Chow Chows might look like adorable teddy bears, but they are not always the cuddly type. Originally bred to be guard dogs<\/a>, Chows are serious, independent and aloof. They are strong-willed and stubborn, and therefore more difficult to train, which lands them a spot on the list of dumbest dog breeds. Chows are intelligent \u2014\u00a0they just have minds of their own. If not trained correctly, Chows might challenge their humans for authority, which can become problematic. For these reasons, Chows require firm but fair training and extensive socialization<\/a> starting from an early age. When raised properly, Chows are noble, loyal and devoted companions.<\/p>\n Borzois are sighthounds and may be a bit stubborn. Photography \u00a9volofin | iStock \/ Getty Images Plus.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Yet another sighthound, the Borzoi is an independent freethinker. This breed gets on the dumbest dog breeds list since they can also be stubborn \u2014 training a Borzoi is an exercise in patience. Borzois seem to do best with frequent, short training sessions rather than hour-long classes. In the house, they are generally very well-mannered, calm, clean and quite affectionate, especially with their special people.<\/p>\n Bloodhounds are another hound dog on the list of dumbest dog breeds. Photography \u00a9alkir | iStock \/ Getty Images Plus.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n If you have ever witnessed the aurora borealis, the colorful northern lights display that transforming the night sky into a brilliant sight to behold, you might be able to understand how a scenthound like the Bloodhound \u201csees\u201d the world with his sensitive nose. Bloodhounds make the list of dumbest dog breeds and are hard to train because they are so distracted by all the glorious scents just waiting to be investigated. They also have a ton of energy, are stubborn and independent, and are absolutely relentless when on a scent trail. Combined together, the Bloodhound\u2019s unique skills can sometimes make these dogs challenging to live with, but enter a Bloodhound in a tracking event and watch his special talents shine.<\/p>\n Pekingese are\u00a0somewhat slow and sloth-like. Show Pekingese Malachy. Photography by by Debby Wong \/ Shutterstock.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n One reason people might think Pekingese are a little slow is the fact that they are somewhat sloth-like. At home, they enjoy lounging about and surveying their domain. This could be due to their physical build or partly held over from their history as sacred pets of the Tang Dynasty in 8th-century China. In fact, Pekingese were called \u201csleeve dogs\u201d because members of the Imperial household carried their cherished companions around snugly nestled in their voluminous sleeves. Can you blame the Peke for enjoying the easy life? Pekingese are also stubborn and difficult to housebreak. This doesn\u2019t make them dumb, but it does make for some training challenges. Start training early and be consistent.<\/p>\n A Beagle’s keen sense of smell often causes\u00a0people to label him as “dumb.” Photography \u00a9Halfpoint | Thinkstock.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Like Bloodhounds, Beagles like to follow their noses, which can sometimes get them into trouble … and lands them on the list of dumbest dog breeds. The Beagle\u2019s sweet, affectionate nature, combined with his happy-go-lucky outlook might lead you to think he\u2019s empty headed, but this breed is far from dumb. It\u2019s best to keep Beagles on a leash. They can\u2019t resist the urge to explore, smell the world and chase small critters.<\/p>\n Mastiffs make the list of dumbest dog breeds. Photography \u00a9Photology1971 | iStock \/ Getty Images Plus.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n The large, laid-back Mastiff is a very chill dog. So chill, in fact, that you might thing he\u2019s a little dense. They are also a bit stubborn and might be more challenging to train than some breeds. Again, activity level and ease of training aren\u2019t necessarily good indicators of intelligence. Mastiffs are actually quite bright. Due to their size and natural wariness of strangers, it\u2019s essential for owners to start training and socialization early in puppyhood so Mastiffs develop into well-behaved and discerning companions.<\/p>\n Basset Hounds, like Beagles and Bloodhounds, are very guided by\u00a0their sense of smell.\u00a0Photography by momente \/ Shutterstock.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Like the Pekingese, Basset Hounds can be a bit lazy. This could be in part to their long and low bodies or their laid-back personalities. Bassets can be a little stubborn, and like their scenthound cousins the Bloodhounds and the Beagles, Bassets might have trouble ignoring the amazing scents around them long enough to concentrate on learning. However, Bassets want to please their people and are very food motivated, so they do respond well to training. Don\u2019t mistake the Basset\u2019s easy-going personality for lack of intelligence, though. They are bright and affectionate dogs.<\/p>\n It\u2019s not fair to label any breed or individual dog dumb. Yes, some dogs are brighter than others, but most dogs are good at something \u2014 you just have to figure out what.<\/p>\n \u201cSome dogs do some things better than others, and they have different behaviors.,\u201d Dr. Dodman says. \u201cPolice dogs and army dogs tend to be the German Shepherd Dog and Malinois types because they\u2019re easily trainable. Does that mean they\u2019re smart? Or does it mean they\u2019re not so smart because they always follow other people\u2019s directions and don\u2019t think independently? You can argue it both ways.\u201d<\/p>\n Tell us:<\/strong> Is your dog’s breed or breeds on this list of dumbest dog breeds?<\/p>\n Thumbnail:\u00a0Photography \u00a9dimarik | Thinkstock.<\/em><\/p>\n Having trouble training your dog? Find out 3 reasons why dogs ignore our cues >><\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n Originally published in 2012 and updated in 2018.<\/em><\/p>\nFirst, what determines the smartest and dumbest dog breeds?<\/h3>\n
![\"What](\"http:\/\/www.dogster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/chow-chow-puppies.jpg\")
<\/p>\n\n
In The Intelligence of Dogs,<\/em> Dr. Coren\u2019s top 10 smartest breeds in order of intelligence were:<\/h3>\n
![\"dumbest](\"http:\/\/www.dogster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/shutterstock_273152690.jpg\")
<\/p>\n\n
The 10 lowest-ranking breeds (or the dumbest dog breeds) according to the book were (in descending order):<\/h3>\n
![\"A](\"http:\/\/www.dogster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/A-beagle-lying-down-on-a-thick-carpet.jpg\")
<\/p>\n\n
When talking dumbest dog breeds, remember: all dogs are bred for, different skills<\/h3>\n
Why are hound dogs considered to be among the dumbest dog breeds?<\/h3>\n
Determining the dumbest dog breeds presents the same issues as determining human intelligence<\/h3>\n
In fact, some of the research on dumbest dogs might not be accurate<\/h3>\n
The 10 Dumbest Dog Breeds and Why They\u2019ve Been Characterized as \u201cDumb\u201d<\/h2>\n
1. Afghan Hound<\/h3>\n
![\"Afghan](\"http:\/\/www.dogster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/Afghan-Hound-courtesy-Shutterstock1-e1467579270502.jpg\")
<\/p>\n2. Basenji<\/h3>\n
![\"dumbest](\"http:\/\/www.dogster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/man-dog-snow.jpg\")
<\/p>\n3. Bulldog<\/h3>\n
![\"A](\"http:\/\/www.dogster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/A-bulldog-sleeping-with-his-tongue-out.jpg\")
<\/p>\n4. Chow Chow<\/h3>\n
![\"A](\"http:\/\/www.dogster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/Chow-Chow.jpg\")
<\/p>\n5. Borzoi<\/h3>\n
![\"Borzoi.](\"http:\/\/www.dogster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/Borzoi.jpg\")
<\/p>\n6. Bloodhound<\/h3>\n
![\"Bloodhound.](\"http:\/\/www.dogster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/Bloodhound.jpg\")
<\/p>\n7. Pekingese<\/h3>\n
![\"dumbest](\"http:\/\/www.dogster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/shutterstock_95230891.jpg\")
<\/p>\n8. Beagle<\/h3>\n
![\"dumbest](\"http:\/\/www.dogster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/A-beagle-sniffing-while-out-on-a-walk.jpg\")
<\/p>\n9. Mastiff<\/h3>\n
![\"Mastiff.](\"http:\/\/www.dogster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/Mastiff.jpg\")
<\/p>\n10. Basset Hound<\/h3>\n
![\"Basset](\"http:\/\/www.dogster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/shutterstock_185597861.jpg\")
<\/p>\nThe bottom line on the dumbest dog breeds<\/h3>\n
Why read\u00a0breed profiles<\/a>?<\/em><\/h3>\n
Read more about dog breeds on Dogster.com:<\/h3>\n
\n
First, what determines the smartest and dumbest dog breeds?<\/h3>\n
<\/p>\n\n
In The Intelligence of Dogs,<\/em> Dr. Coren\u2019s top 10 smartest breeds in order of intelligence were:<\/h3>\n
<\/p>\n\n
The 10 lowest-ranking breeds (or the dumbest dog breeds) according to the book were (in descending order):<\/h3>\n
<\/p>\n\n
When talking dumbest dog breeds, remember: all dogs are bred for, different skills<\/h3>\n
Why are hound dogs considered to be among the dumbest dog breeds?<\/h3>\n
Determining the dumbest dog breeds presents the same issues as determining human intelligence<\/h3>\n
In fact, some of the research on dumbest dogs might not be accurate<\/h3>\n
The 10 Dumbest Dog Breeds and Why They\u2019ve Been Characterized as \u201cDumb\u201d<\/h2>\n
1. Afghan Hound<\/h3>\n
<\/p>\n2. Basenji<\/h3>\n
<\/p>\n3. Bulldog<\/h3>\n
<\/p>\n4. Chow Chow<\/h3>\n
<\/p>\n5. Borzoi<\/h3>\n
<\/p>\n6. Bloodhound<\/h3>\n
<\/p>\n7. Pekingese<\/h3>\n
<\/p>\n8. Beagle<\/h3>\n
<\/p>\n9. Mastiff<\/h3>\n
<\/p>\n10. Basset Hound<\/h3>\n
<\/p>\nThe bottom line on the dumbest dog breeds<\/h3>\n
Why read\u00a0