Dogs Are Just as Intelligent as Two-Year-Old Children

According to a new investigation, it would appear that most dogs have the same intelligence level as a two-year-old child, experts say. While this is true for most species, others, such as border collies, poodles and German shepherds (in this precise order), have a brain developed enough to be considered similar to that of a 2.5-year-old. The study found that the average dog can learn up to 165 words, hand gestures and signals, whereas the “brightest” species can recognize more than 350 such signs.

The scientists who conducted the new research say that the reason why the three species may be more intelligent than other canines could be the fact that they were bred relatively recently, and that their human masters created them specifically to exhibit these traits. The new finds will be presented at the annual meeting of the American Psychological Association, to be held in Toronto, Canada. In charge of the investigation was University of British Columbia professor emeritus and canine expert Stanley Coren. He tells LiveScience that dogs fare even better in basic arithmetic and social “wisdom,” topping even three- or four-year-old children.

“The social life of dogs is much more complex, much more like human teenagers at that stage, interested in who is moving up in the pack […]. We all want insight into how our furry companions think, and we want to understand the silly, quirky and apparently irrational behaviors Lassie or Rover demonstrate. Their stunning flashes of brilliance and creativity are reminders that they may not be Einsteins but are sure closer to humans than we thought,” the expert argues.

In a basic arithmetic test, a dog is shown two treats, which are then lowered behind a screen. The animals have the equation 1+1=2. A researcher then either adds or removes a treat, and then the screen is lifted. The dogs now have the equations 1+1=1 or 1+1=2. When they see the wrong number of treats, they act surprised, and stare at the objects for longer. Coren says that this type of behavior can also be observed in children, when in a similar situation. The most intelligent breeds of dogs are, in their respective order:

1. Border collies
2. Poodles
3. German shepherds
4. Golden retrievers
5. Dobermans
6. Shetland sheepdogs
7. Labrador retrievers.