Despite the fact that many breeds no longer perform the work for which they were developed , they still possess the inherent characteristics cultivated by man through centuries of selective breeding. Knowledge of these innate characteristics is a great advantage both in choosing a suitable pet and in training him to be a well mannered companion. When training fails to produce the desired results, the dog is labelled as dumb and impossible to train. Myths about the intelligence of dogs abound. Those breeds that excel at obedience are often seen as being the most intelligent but they are only doing what comes naturally to them.
Obedience is simply an activity, as is agility, field work or earth trials.
The dog who excels at these types of activities is not considered to be exceptionally clever. In fact, breeds such as terriers, are often viewed as being unintelligent, stubborn and untrainable because they do not respond to traditional training methods. In forging a satisfying relationship with a dog, an owner or prospective owner must fully understand the background of his chosen breed and the job it was bred to perform. No amount of training will alter a dog's basic instincts. Noted trainer and behavioral specialist Pat Muller of Quansa Kennels refers to these instincts as priorities and focuses on using them as a training tool.