With the help of hundreds of dog trainers and veterinarians, Canadian psychologist Stanley Coren developed a canine IQ test to determine dogs’ intelligence. It also assesses their ability and willingness to solve problems and obey commands.
Coren’s intelligence ranking is based on the number of repetitions it takes for each breed to learn a specific command. A score of 54 indicates excellent intelligence.
The following selection includes breeds that consistently scored 18 or lower, indicating a clear deficiency in many areas of adaptive intelligence.
10th – Shih Tzu
The Shih Tzu was a royal dog whose sole purpose was to be a loving lap dog, a task that requires little intellect.
9th – Basset Hound
Originally from France, Basset Hounds were bred for hunting, but that’s where this breed’s talent ends. They don’t have much physical energy.
A Basset Hound needs to be watched closely. If they catch an interesting scent, they will follow it and forget how to return.
8th – Beagle
Beagles were dogs of the British wars against the Romans and were brought to Rome by Julius Caesar to face lions and gladiators in the notorious Colosseum.
Now they are known for their docility and short attention span, taking a long time to learn simple things that are quickly forgotten.
7th – Pekingese
The breed was created for companionship and is believed to be one of the oldest and still existing breeds. The Pekingese is extremely courageous for its size. However, training these dogs has been quite difficult.
6th – Bloodhound
To give credit to this breed, Bloodhounds are trackers and lifeguards. These dogs have an exceptional sense of smell.
5th – Borzoi
Its name is Russian for “fast,” but according to Canine IQ, it claims the breed is slow.
4th – Chow Chow
Chow Chows are demanding, jealous, and difficult to teach.
3rd – English Bulldog
One of the most popular companion dogs, its name derives from the cruel British sport. They are the type that loves a sofa, has a calm temperament, and always wants to be close to their human family.
2nd – Basenji
An African hunting dog, a favorite among hunters since before the construction of the pyramids. They have a wide repertoire of howls and screams, making them a challenging breed to train.
1st – Afghan Hound
Its main function was as an excellent hunter, but over the years, it has become more commonly used as a competition dog for its beauty.
In addition to requiring a lot of space, it can become quite stubborn and cause significant damage inside the house. It takes the top position in this selection of the 10 least intelligent dog breeds in the world.