are larger dogs smarter than smaller dogs?

Question

Im doing a science project, HELP!!!

Answer 1

I have both a big dog and a small dog, though sometimes my big puppy seems a little blonde, when it comes to training he's just as quick to pick it up as the other dogs in his class which range from a 15lb dog (when she's full grown) to my saint/newf who will be about 160lbs full grown. I think smaller dogs may seem smarter because they can do things faster than some of the bigger dogs but that is because they have less dog to manuvere. My little dog runs around like he just had 10 cups of coffee while my big puppy just sits there and watches him go back and forth. I would say that in general you will find the most breeds are equvilant when it comes to being smart, but some breeds are more stubborn or head strong, where others are more easily distracted, making those breeds seem dumber because they take a little more effort when it comes to training

Answer 2

If you want to do a science project on the intelligence of dogs, then I'd suggest comparing adult dogs that have not been through a socialization at age 7-12 weeks and those that have. You'll find a huge difference in a dog's ability to handle change or stress which might make the dog 'look' smarter or not. Which brings me to a question ... what do you consider 'smart' behavior in one dog vs. another? Humans are always saying "my dog is so smart" but what is the dog doing that is so smart? Dogs do things that humans apply (from their own perspective) an intelligence factor to. Dogs act instinctually, in drive, or survive depending on their nerve tolerance, stress factors, & genetics. Do you really know what the dog you evaluate is doing (from the dogs point of view) to be able to say it's smart or not? Just wondering how you would put a science project like this together.

Answer 3

Certain breeds are quicker and/or more willing to learn than other breeds, but it doesn't matter if that breed is large or small, just what the breed is and what it was bred for.

A man named Stanley Coren has done some studies on dog intelligence.

Here's the top 10 most 'intelligent':
1 Border Collie
2 Poodle
3 German Shepherd
4 Golden Retriever
5 Doberman Pinscher
6 Shetland Sheepdog
7 Labrador Retriever
8 Papillon
9 Rottweiler
10 Australian Cattle Dog

Here's the bottom 10:
70 Shih Tzu
71 Basset Hound
72 Mastiff & Beagle (tie)
73 Pekingese
74 Bloodhound
75 Borzoi
76 Chow Chow
77 Bulldog
78 Basenji
79 Afghan Hound

Note: This test says "intelligence", but the way the test was ran it actually tests trainability (the test calls it "Working/Obedience Intelligence").

Some dogs have excellent instinct to do what they are bred for, but may not take to obedience training as quickly. Some breeds are more stubborn and headstrong than others.
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Answer 4

it is a matter really of looking at dogs that you may have seen on tv or in the movies. Looking back there have been mixed breeds that have shown more intelligence in their ability to learn than any purebred has ever shown. The standard intelligence tests actually are somewhat confusing as they only play on the dog breeds inherited need to do what it was bred to do in the first place. This does not make them any more intelligent than the next breed. There are dogs in these breeds that are simply put dumb as a rock where you can find a dog in the breed category not noted as being overly intelligent and it turns out to be smart as a whip. Like people, there is not exact science for this, only speculation based on inherit traits, genes etc. Size does not matter.

Answer 5

No. I don't think it makes a difference. I've known big dogs and little dogs that are smart, and others that a dumber than a box of rocks.


Now, I do think cats are smarter, in general, than dogs. Most cats I've known get the better of dogs. It's usually good for a laugh.

Answer 6

You need to define your question better--starting with how you determine "smart" in a dog. Some dogs are very trainable because they want to please people so they learn how to do things quickly---does that make them smarter?

Some breeds are more independent and less interested in pleasing people so they don't learn tricks as fast---are they less smart?

Is problem solving the way you define smart in a dog? Some people look it that way....

I don't believe bigger dogs are smarter than smaller dogs. I do believe that some breeds are smarter than others (by my definition) but these breeds vary in size.

Answer 7

Interesting project! I've seen some really dumb large dogs and some pretty dumb small dogs. It depends on the breed, the training, its environment, maybe even the type of food. Some breeds are known for their intelligence such as the Border Collie. Others are not known for their brains but maybe their playfulness.

Answer 8

IMHO, small dogs are often not trained and so appear to not have the smarts that the larger dogs do. Larger dogs usually have to have some training so that you can live with them.
Some people like their little dogs to be helpless acting.
Most dogs will learn whatever it takes to fit into their home.

Answer 9

Consult a veterinarian or animal biologist for the answer.

Answer 10

i don't think so..but the intelligence of dogs depends on how did the person trained them...