# The Intelligence of Dogs

The Intelligence of Dogs: A Guide to the Thoughts, Emotions, and Inner Lives of Our Canine Companions is a 1994 book on dog intelligence by Stanley Coren, a professor of canine psychology at the University of British Columbia. The book explains Coren's theories about the differences in intelligence between various breeds of dogs. Coren published a second edition in 2006.
Coren defines three aspects of dog intelligence in the book: instinctive intelligence, adaptive intelligence, and working and obedience intelligence. Instinctive intelligence refers to a dog's ability to perform the tasks it was bred for, such as herding, pointing, fetching, guarding, or supplying companionship. Adaptive intelligence refers to a dog's ability to solve problems on its own. Working and obedience intelligence refers to a dog's ability to learn from humans.

## Methods

The book's ranking focuses on working and obedience intelligence. Coren sent evaluation requests to American Kennel Club and Canadian Kennel Club obedience trial judges, asking them to rank breeds by performance, and received 199 responses, representing about 50 percent of obedience judges then working in North America. Assessments were limited to breeds receiving at least 100 judge responses. This methodology aimed to eliminate the excessive weight that might result from a simple tabulation of obedience degrees by breed. Its use of expert opinion followed precedent.
Coren found substantial agreement in the judges' rankings of working and obedience intelligence, with Border collies consistently named in the top ten and Afghan Hounds consistently named in the lowest. The highest ranked dogs in this category were Border collies, Poodles, German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers, and Doberman Pinschers.
Dogs that are not breeds recognized by the American Kennel Club or Canadian Kennel Club (such as the Jack Russell Terrier) were not included in Coren's rankings.

## Evaluation

Coren's book presents a ranked list of breed intelligence, based on a survey of 208 dog obedience judges across North America. When it was first published there was much media attention and commentary in terms of both pros and cons. Over the years, Coren's ranking of breeds and methodology have come to be accepted as a valid description of the differences among dog breeds in terms of their trainability. A 2009 measurement of canine intelligence using another method confirmed the general pattern of these rankings, and Coren included an updated study using owner ratings of dog trainability and intelligence in the 2006 edition of the book.
The value of survey-based cognition findings have been dismissed by some cognitive researchers and dog trainers.
The 1995 edition of Coren's book lists 130 dog breeds, and assigns them to 79 ranks with some ties, grouped into six descending categories.
| Rank | Breed | Category |
| 1 | Border Collie | Brightest Dogs Understanding of new commands: fewer than 5 repetitions. Obey first command: 95% of the time or better. |
| 2 | Poodle | Brightest Dogs Understanding of new commands: fewer than 5 repetitions. Obey first command: 95% of the time or better. |
| 3 | German Shepherd | Brightest Dogs Understanding of new commands: fewer than 5 repetitions. Obey first command: 95% of the time or better. |
| 4 | Golden Retriever | Brightest Dogs Understanding of new commands: fewer than 5 repetitions. Obey first command: 95% of the time or better. |
| 5 | Doberman Pinscher | Brightest Dogs Understanding of new commands: fewer than 5 repetitions. Obey first command: 95% of the time or better. |
| 6 | Shetland Sheepdog | Brightest Dogs Understanding of new commands: fewer than 5 repetitions. Obey first command: 95% of the time or better. |
| 7 | Labrador Retriever | Brightest Dogs Understanding of new commands: fewer than 5 repetitions. Obey first command: 95% of the time or better. |
| 8 | Papillon | Brightest Dogs Understanding of new commands: fewer than 5 repetitions. Obey first command: 95% of the time or better. |
| 9 | Rottweiler | Brightest Dogs Understanding of new commands: fewer than 5 repetitions. Obey first command: 95% of the time or better. |
| 10 | Australian Cattle Dog | Brightest Dogs Understanding of new commands: fewer than 5 repetitions. Obey first command: 95% of the time or better. |
| 11 | Pembroke Welsh Corgi | Excellent Working Dogs Understanding of new commands: 5 to 15 repetitions. Obey first command: 85% of the time or better. |
| 12 | Miniature Schnauzer | Excellent Working Dogs Understanding of new commands: 5 to 15 repetitions. Obey first command: 85% of the time or better. |
| 13 | English Springer Spaniel | Excellent Working Dogs Understanding of new commands: 5 to 15 repetitions. Obey first command: 85% of the time or better. |
| 14 | Belgian Shepherd Dog (Tervuren) | Excellent Working Dogs Understanding of new commands: 5 to 15 repetitions. Obey first command: 85% of the time or better. |
| 15 | Schipperke | Excellent Working Dogs Understanding of new commands: 5 to 15 repetitions. Obey first command: 85% of the time or better. |
| 15 | Belgian Sheepdog | Excellent Working Dogs Understanding of new commands: 5 to 15 repetitions. Obey first command: 85% of the time or better. |
| 16 | Collie | Excellent Working Dogs Understanding of new commands: 5 to 15 repetitions. Obey first command: 85% of the time or better. |
| 16 | Keeshond | Excellent Working Dogs Understanding of new commands: 5 to 15 repetitions. Obey first command: 85% of the time or better. |
| 17 | German Shorthaired Pointer | Excellent Working Dogs Understanding of new commands: 5 to 15 repetitions. Obey first command: 85% of the time or better. |
| 18 | Flat-Coated Retriever | Excellent Working Dogs Understanding of new commands: 5 to 15 repetitions. Obey first command: 85% of the time or better. |
| 18 | English Cocker Spaniel | Excellent Working Dogs Understanding of new commands: 5 to 15 repetitions. Obey first command: 85% of the time or better. |
| 18 | Standard Schnauzer | Excellent Working Dogs Understanding of new commands: 5 to 15 repetitions. Obey first command: 85% of the time or better. |
| 19 | Brittany | Excellent Working Dogs Understanding of new commands: 5 to 15 repetitions. Obey first command: 85% of the time or better. |
| 20 | Cocker Spaniel | Excellent Working Dogs Understanding of new commands: 5 to 15 repetitions. Obey first command: 85% of the time or better. |
| 21 | Weimaraner | Excellent Working Dogs Understanding of new commands: 5 to 15 repetitions. Obey first command: 85% of the time or better. |
| 22 | Belgian Malinois | Excellent Working Dogs Understanding of new commands: 5 to 15 repetitions. Obey first command: 85% of the time or better. |
| 22 | Bernese Mountain Dog | Excellent Working Dogs Understanding of new commands: 5 to 15 repetitions. Obey first command: 85% of the time or better. |
| 23 | Pomeranian | Excellent Working Dogs Understanding of new commands: 5 to 15 repetitions. Obey first command: 85% of the time or better. |
| 24 | Irish Water Spaniel | Excellent Working Dogs Understanding of new commands: 5 to 15 repetitions. Obey first command: 85% of the time or better. |
| 25 | Vizsla | Excellent Working Dogs Understanding of new commands: 5 to 15 repetitions. Obey first command: 85% of the time or better. |
| 26 | Cardigan Welsh Corgi | Excellent Working Dogs Understanding of new commands: 5 to 15 repetitions. Obey first command: 85% of the time or better. |
| 27 | Chesapeake Bay Retriever | Above Average Working Dogs Understanding of new commands: 15 to 25 repetitions. Obey first command: 70% of the time or better. |
| 27 | Puli | Above Average Working Dogs Understanding of new commands: 15 to 25 repetitions. Obey first command: 70% of the time or better. |
| 27 | Yorkshire Terrier | Above Average Working Dogs Understanding of new commands: 15 to 25 repetitions. Obey first command: 70% of the time or better. |
| 28 | Giant Schnauzer | Above Average Working Dogs Understanding of new commands: 15 to 25 repetitions. Obey first command: 70% of the time or better. |
| 29 | Airedale Terrier | Above Average Working Dogs Understanding of new commands: 15 to 25 repetitions. Obey first command: 70% of the time or better. |
| 29 | Bouvier des Flandres | Above Average Working Dogs Understanding of new commands: 15 to 25 repetitions. Obey first command: 70% of the time or better. |
| 30 | Border Terrier | Above Average Working Dogs Understanding of new commands: 15 to 25 repetitions. Obey first command: 70% of the time or better. |
| 30 | Briard | Above Average Working Dogs Understanding of new commands: 15 to 25 repetitions. Obey first command: 70% of the time or better. |
| 31 | Welsh Springer Spaniel | Above Average Working Dogs Understanding of new commands: 15 to 25 repetitions. Obey first command: 70% of the time or better. |
| 32 | Manchester Terrier | Above Average Working Dogs Understanding of new commands: 15 to 25 repetitions. Obey first command: 70% of the time or better. |
| 33 | Samoyed | Above Average Working Dogs Understanding of new commands: 15 to 25 repetitions. Obey first command: 70% of the time or better. |
| 34 | Field Spaniel | Above Average Working Dogs Understanding of new commands: 15 to 25 repetitions. Obey first command: 70% of the time or better. |
| 34 | Newfoundland | Above Average Working Dogs Understanding of new commands: 15 to 25 repetitions. Obey first command: 70% of the time or better. |
| 34 | Australian Terrier | Above Average Working Dogs Understanding of new commands: 15 to 25 repetitions. Obey first command: 70% of the time or better. |
| 34 | American Staffordshire Terrier | Above Average Working Dogs Understanding of new commands: 15 to 25 repetitions. Obey first command: 70% of the time or better. |
| 34 | Gordon Setter | Above Average Working Dogs Understanding of new commands: 15 to 25 repetitions. Obey first command: 70% of the time or better. |
| 34 | Bearded Collie | Above Average Working Dogs Understanding of new commands: 15 to 25 repetitions. Obey first command: 70% of the time or better. |
| 35 | Cairn Terrier | Above Average Working Dogs Understanding of new commands: 15 to 25 repetitions. Obey first command: 70% of the time or better. |
| 35 | Kerry Blue Terrier | Above Average Working Dogs Understanding of new commands: 15 to 25 repetitions. Obey first command: 70% of the time or better. |
| 35 | Irish Setter | Above Average Working Dogs Understanding of new commands: 15 to 25 repetitions. Obey first command: 70% of the time or better. |
| 36 | Norwegian Elkhound | Above Average Working Dogs Understanding of new commands: 15 to 25 repetitions. Obey first command: 70% of the time or better. |
| 37 | Affenpinscher | Above Average Working Dogs Understanding of new commands: 15 to 25 repetitions. Obey first command: 70% of the time or better. |
| 37 | Australian Silky Terrier | Above Average Working Dogs Understanding of new commands: 15 to 25 repetitions. Obey first command: 70% of the time or better. |
| 37 | Miniature Pinscher | Above Average Working Dogs Understanding of new commands: 15 to 25 repetitions. Obey first command: 70% of the time or better. |
| 37 | English Setter | Above Average Working Dogs Understanding of new commands: 15 to 25 repetitions. Obey first command: 70% of the time or better. |
| 37 | Pharaoh Hound | Above Average Working Dogs Understanding of new commands: 15 to 25 repetitions. Obey first command: 70% of the time or better. |
| 37 | Clumber Spaniel | Above Average Working Dogs Understanding of new commands: 15 to 25 repetitions. Obey first command: 70% of the time or better. |
| 38 | Norwich Terrier | Above Average Working Dogs Understanding of new commands: 15 to 25 repetitions. Obey first command: 70% of the time or better. |
| 39 | Dalmatian | Above Average Working Dogs Understanding of new commands: 15 to 25 repetitions. Obey first command: 70% of the time or better. |
| 40 | Soft-coated Wheaten Terrier | Average Working/Obedience Intelligence Understanding of new commands: 25 to 40 repetitions. Obey first command: 50% of the time or better. |
| 40 | Bedlington Terrier | Average Working/Obedience Intelligence Understanding of new commands: 25 to 40 repetitions. Obey first command: 50% of the time or better. |
| 40 | Smooth Fox Terrier | Average Working/Obedience Intelligence Understanding of new commands: 25 to 40 repetitions. Obey first command: 50% of the time or better. |
| 41 | Curly Coated Retriever | Average Working/Obedience Intelligence Understanding of new commands: 25 to 40 repetitions. Obey first command: 50% of the time or better. |
| 41 | Irish Wolfhound | Average Working/Obedience Intelligence Understanding of new commands: 25 to 40 repetitions. Obey first command: 50% of the time or better. |
| 42 | Kuvasz | Average Working/Obedience Intelligence Understanding of new commands: 25 to 40 repetitions. Obey first command: 50% of the time or better. |
| 42 | Australian Shepherd | Average Working/Obedience Intelligence Understanding of new commands: 25 to 40 repetitions. Obey first command: 50% of the time or better. |
| 43 | Saluki | Average Working/Obedience Intelligence Understanding of new commands: 25 to 40 repetitions. Obey first command: 50% of the time or better. |
| 43 | Finnish Spitz | Average Working/Obedience Intelligence Understanding of new commands: 25 to 40 repetitions. Obey first command: 50% of the time or better. |
| 43 | Pointer | Average Working/Obedience Intelligence Understanding of new commands: 25 to 40 repetitions. Obey first command: 50% of the time or better. |
| 44 | Cavalier King Charles Spaniel | Average Working/Obedience Intelligence Understanding of new commands: 25 to 40 repetitions. Obey first command: 50% of the time or better. |
| 44 | German Wirehaired Pointer | Average Working/Obedience Intelligence Understanding of new commands: 25 to 40 repetitions. Obey first command: 50% of the time or better. |
| 44 | Black and Tan Coonhound | Average Working/Obedience Intelligence Understanding of new commands: 25 to 40 repetitions. Obey first command: 50% of the time or better. |
| 44 | American Water Spaniel | Average Working/Obedience Intelligence Understanding of new commands: 25 to 40 repetitions. Obey first command: 50% of the time or better. |
| 45 | Siberian Husky | Average Working/Obedience Intelligence Understanding of new commands: 25 to 40 repetitions. Obey first command: 50% of the time or better. |
| 45 | Bichon Frise | Average Working/Obedience Intelligence Understanding of new commands: 25 to 40 repetitions. Obey first command: 50% of the time or better. |
| 45 | King Charles Spaniel | Average Working/Obedience Intelligence Understanding of new commands: 25 to 40 repetitions. Obey first command: 50% of the time or better. |
| 46 | Tibetan Spaniel | Average Working/Obedience Intelligence Understanding of new commands: 25 to 40 repetitions. Obey first command: 50% of the time or better. |
| 46 | English Foxhound | Average Working/Obedience Intelligence Understanding of new commands: 25 to 40 repetitions. Obey first command: 50% of the time or better. |
| 46 | Otterhound | Average Working/Obedience Intelligence Understanding of new commands: 25 to 40 repetitions. Obey first command: 50% of the time or better. |
| 46 | Jack Russell Terrier | Average Working/Obedience Intelligence Understanding of new commands: 25 to 40 repetitions. Obey first command: 50% of the time or better. |
| 46 | American Foxhound | Average Working/Obedience Intelligence Understanding of new commands: 25 to 40 repetitions. Obey first command: 50% of the time or better. |
| 46 | Greyhound | Average Working/Obedience Intelligence Understanding of new commands: 25 to 40 repetitions. Obey first command: 50% of the time or better. |
| 46 | Wirehaired Pointing Griffon | Average Working/Obedience Intelligence Understanding of new commands: 25 to 40 repetitions. Obey first command: 50% of the time or better. |
| 47 | West Highland White Terrier | Average Working/Obedience Intelligence Understanding of new commands: 25 to 40 repetitions. Obey first command: 50% of the time or better. |
| 47 | Scottish Deerhound | Average Working/Obedience Intelligence Understanding of new commands: 25 to 40 repetitions. Obey first command: 50% of the time or better. |
| 48 | Boxer | Average Working/Obedience Intelligence Understanding of new commands: 25 to 40 repetitions. Obey first command: 50% of the time or better. |
| 48 | Great Dane | Average Working/Obedience Intelligence Understanding of new commands: 25 to 40 repetitions. Obey first command: 50% of the time or better. |
| 49 | Dachshund | Average Working/Obedience Intelligence Understanding of new commands: 25 to 40 repetitions. Obey first command: 50% of the time or better. |
| 49 | Staffordshire Bull Terrier | Average Working/Obedience Intelligence Understanding of new commands: 25 to 40 repetitions. Obey first command: 50% of the time or better. |
| 50 | Alaskan Malamute | Average Working/Obedience Intelligence Understanding of new commands: 25 to 40 repetitions. Obey first command: 50% of the time or better. |
| 51 | Whippet | Average Working/Obedience Intelligence Understanding of new commands: 25 to 40 repetitions. Obey first command: 50% of the time or better. |
| 51 | Shar Pei | Average Working/Obedience Intelligence Understanding of new commands: 25 to 40 repetitions. Obey first command: 50% of the time or better. |
| 51 | Wire Fox Terrier | Average Working/Obedience Intelligence Understanding of new commands: 25 to 40 repetitions. Obey first command: 50% of the time or better. |
| 52 | Rhodesian Ridgeback | Average Working/Obedience Intelligence Understanding of new commands: 25 to 40 repetitions. Obey first command: 50% of the time or better. |
| 53 | Ibizan Hound | Average Working/Obedience Intelligence Understanding of new commands: 25 to 40 repetitions. Obey first command: 50% of the time or better. |
| 53 | Welsh Terrier | Average Working/Obedience Intelligence Understanding of new commands: 25 to 40 repetitions. Obey first command: 50% of the time or better. |
| 53 | Irish Terrier | Average Working/Obedience Intelligence Understanding of new commands: 25 to 40 repetitions. Obey first command: 50% of the time or better. |
| 54 | Boston Terrier | Average Working/Obedience Intelligence Understanding of new commands: 25 to 40 repetitions. Obey first command: 50% of the time or better. |
| 54 | Akita | Average Working/Obedience Intelligence Understanding of new commands: 25 to 40 repetitions. Obey first command: 50% of the time or better. |
| 55 | Skye Terrier | Fair Working/Obedience Intelligence Understanding of new commands: 40 to 80 repetitions. Obey first command: 30% of the time or better. |
| 56 | Norfolk Terrier | Fair Working/Obedience Intelligence Understanding of new commands: 40 to 80 repetitions. Obey first command: 30% of the time or better. |
| 56 | Sealyham Terrier | Fair Working/Obedience Intelligence Understanding of new commands: 40 to 80 repetitions. Obey first command: 30% of the time or better. |
| 57 | Pug | Fair Working/Obedience Intelligence Understanding of new commands: 40 to 80 repetitions. Obey first command: 30% of the time or better. |
| 58 | French Bulldog | Fair Working/Obedience Intelligence Understanding of new commands: 40 to 80 repetitions. Obey first command: 30% of the time or better. |
| 59 | Griffon Bruxellois | Fair Working/Obedience Intelligence Understanding of new commands: 40 to 80 repetitions. Obey first command: 30% of the time or better. |
| 59 | Maltese | Fair Working/Obedience Intelligence Understanding of new commands: 40 to 80 repetitions. Obey first command: 30% of the time or better. |
| 60 | Italian Greyhound | Fair Working/Obedience Intelligence Understanding of new commands: 40 to 80 repetitions. Obey first command: 30% of the time or better. |
| 61 | Chinese Crested Dog | Fair Working/Obedience Intelligence Understanding of new commands: 40 to 80 repetitions. Obey first command: 30% of the time or better. |
| 62 | Dandie Dinmont Terrier | Fair Working/Obedience Intelligence Understanding of new commands: 40 to 80 repetitions. Obey first command: 30% of the time or better. |
| 62 | Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen | Fair Working/Obedience Intelligence Understanding of new commands: 40 to 80 repetitions. Obey first command: 30% of the time or better. |
| 62 | Tibetan Terrier | Fair Working/Obedience Intelligence Understanding of new commands: 40 to 80 repetitions. Obey first command: 30% of the time or better. |
| 62 | Japanese Chin | Fair Working/Obedience Intelligence Understanding of new commands: 40 to 80 repetitions. Obey first command: 30% of the time or better. |
| 62 | Lakeland Terrier | Fair Working/Obedience Intelligence Understanding of new commands: 40 to 80 repetitions. Obey first command: 30% of the time or better. |
| 63 | Old English Sheepdog | Fair Working/Obedience Intelligence Understanding of new commands: 40 to 80 repetitions. Obey first command: 30% of the time or better. |
| 64 | Great Pyrenees | Fair Working/Obedience Intelligence Understanding of new commands: 40 to 80 repetitions. Obey first command: 30% of the time or better. |
| 65 | Scottish Terrier | Fair Working/Obedience Intelligence Understanding of new commands: 40 to 80 repetitions. Obey first command: 30% of the time or better. |
| 65 | Saint Bernard | Fair Working/Obedience Intelligence Understanding of new commands: 40 to 80 repetitions. Obey first command: 30% of the time or better. |
| 66 | Bull Terrier | Fair Working/Obedience Intelligence Understanding of new commands: 40 to 80 repetitions. Obey first command: 30% of the time or better. |
| 67 | Chihuahua | Fair Working/Obedience Intelligence Understanding of new commands: 40 to 80 repetitions. Obey first command: 30% of the time or better. |
| 68 | Lhasa Apso | Fair Working/Obedience Intelligence Understanding of new commands: 40 to 80 repetitions. Obey first command: 30% of the time or better. |
| 69 | Bullmastiff | Fair Working/Obedience Intelligence Understanding of new commands: 40 to 80 repetitions. Obey first command: 30% of the time or better. |
| 70 | Shih Tzu | Lowest Degree of Working/Obedience Intelligence Understanding of new commands: 80 to 100 repetitions or more. Obey first command: 25% of the time or worse. |
| 71 | Basset Hound | Lowest Degree of Working/Obedience Intelligence Understanding of new commands: 80 to 100 repetitions or more. Obey first command: 25% of the time or worse. |
| 72 | Mastiff | Lowest Degree of Working/Obedience Intelligence Understanding of new commands: 80 to 100 repetitions or more. Obey first command: 25% of the time or worse. |
| 72 | Beagle | Lowest Degree of Working/Obedience Intelligence Understanding of new commands: 80 to 100 repetitions or more. Obey first command: 25% of the time or worse. |
| 73 | Pekingese | Lowest Degree of Working/Obedience Intelligence Understanding of new commands: 80 to 100 repetitions or more. Obey first command: 25% of the time or worse. |
| 74 | Bloodhound | Lowest Degree of Working/Obedience Intelligence Understanding of new commands: 80 to 100 repetitions or more. Obey first command: 25% of the time or worse. |
| 75 | Borzoi | Lowest Degree of Working/Obedience Intelligence Understanding of new commands: 80 to 100 repetitions or more. Obey first command: 25% of the time or worse. |
| 76 | Chow Chow | Lowest Degree of Working/Obedience Intelligence Understanding of new commands: 80 to 100 repetitions or more. Obey first command: 25% of the time or worse. |
| 77 | Bulldog | Lowest Degree of Working/Obedience Intelligence Understanding of new commands: 80 to 100 repetitions or more. Obey first command: 25% of the time or worse. |
| 78 | Basenji | Lowest Degree of Working/Obedience Intelligence Understanding of new commands: 80 to 100 repetitions or more. Obey first command: 25% of the time or worse. |
| 79 | Afghan Hound | Lowest Degree of Working/Obedience Intelligence Understanding of new commands: 80 to 100 repetitions or more. Obey first command: 25% of the time or worse. |