A huge number of us decided to welcome new four-legged friends into our homes over the last couple of years – according to Kennel Club figures dog ownership soared by nearly eight percent over the global pandemic.
There are a whopping 221 different breeds of pedigree dog to choose from, alongside numerous crossbreeds, so there’s plenty of thinking to do before you select your family’s latest addition.
If you are looking for a dog that’s as smart as it is adorable though, there’s scientific research into the subject that can guide you to the most clever breeds.
Psychologist Stanley Coren’s book ‘The Intelligence of Dogs’ is a land mark piece of canine literature, judging breeds’ relative IQs by looking at instincts, obedience, and the ability to adapt.
At the other end of the scale, it also reveals the pups with less in the way of brains – canines that can still make loving, loyal and adorable pets, but who are unlikely to learn new tricks...at any age.
So these are – officially – the top 10 dumbest pooches.
Read more:
A message from the Editor:
Thank you for reading this article. We're more reliant on your support than ever as the shift in consumer habits brought about by Coronavirus impacts our advertisers.
If you haven't already, please consider supporting our trusted, fact-checked journalism by taking out a digital subscription.
9. Mastiff
Many Mastiff owners will know that, while their pet will eventually do what's asked of them, they'll take their time over it. It's this ponderous nature that perhaps explains their reputation for a lack of smarts. Photo: Canva/Getty Images
10. Basset Hound
Yet another dog bred to ignore everything else to follow a scent, it's not the basset Hound's fault that this skill comes at an intellectual cost. They can also be incredibly difficult to house train. Photo: Canva/Getty Images