Researchers asked dog owners to test their pets with a range of 30 instructions from simple terms like ‘sit’ to lesser-known ones like ‘spin’ – and it was clear which dogs came out on top
Huskies are Britain’s brainiest dogs according to a new study investigating how well different dog breeds follow our commands.
Researchers asked dog owners to test their pooches with a range of 30 instructions from simple terms like ‘sit’ to lesser-known ones like ‘spin’. The results reveal which of the UK’s beloved dog breeds really are the cleverest canines and which dogs appear to be the dimmest, most stubborn or both.
With a score of 89, Huskies and Malamutes are the nation’s ‘top dogs’, responding to many more instructions than any other breed, followed by Schnauzers (75) and Border Collies (73). Researchers tallied up how many commands each dog successfully follows to produce an overall score out of 100 for the most obedient or brainiest breed.
More than two-thirds (67%) of Huskies and Malamutes respond to ‘come’ while over half (58%) will reliably follow instructions to ‘sit’ and ‘wait’. #
Two-fifths (42%) of owners say their dog responds to instructions to be ‘quiet’, ‘calm’ and ‘down’. A third (33%) will ‘jump’, ‘fetch’ or ‘spin’ on command.
In second place are Schnauzers with an overall score of 75. Every owner in the study said their hound will follow more complicated commands like ‘down’, ‘come’, and ‘leave’.
And, taking third spot are Border Collies. Well-known for their intelligence, these herding dogs live up to their reputation with more than three-quarters (78%) responding to ‘sit’, while more than two thirds (65%) respond to ‘stay’ and nearly as many will ‘wait’ (61%) on command.
Spaniels, Greyhounds, Whippets, and Retrievers also rank highly for obedience, while Staffies, Rottweilers, and Bulldogs follow closely behind.
Towards the opposite end of the table are smaller companion breeds, with Westies taking the unedifying spot at the very bottom.
With a score of just 23 out of 100, Westies are the nation’s dumbest or least obedient dogs and fail to correctly carry out the majority of their owner’s commands.
While three quarters (75%) of West Highland Terriers will ‘sit’ on command, they were completely clueless on the majority of commands issued by owners.
Overall results when it comes to commands show, ‘Sit’ is overwhelmingly the best- known command, with three-quarters (75%) of the nation’s dogs parking their posterior on the floor when told to do so by their owners.
The second best-known instruction is ‘stay’, understood by half (51%) of all dogs. ‘Come’ (45%), ‘wait’ (44%) and ‘down’ (41%) were known by around two-fifths of pets in the study.
Traditional terms like ‘heel’ (11%) and ‘roll over’ (11%) were understood by just one in 10 dogs in the study, and only a handful (4%) respond correctly to classic ‘play dead’ command.
Expert Laura Crotchley Harvey, from Burns Pet Nutrition, who commissioned the study, said: ‘All dogs have the ability to listen and learn commands – some more than others it would appear.
‘Training isn’t just about following commands, though. It plays a huge role in a dog’s mental stimulation and overall wellbeing.
‘Dogs that are regularly trained and mentally engaged tend to be happier, more confident, and form stronger bonds with their owners.’
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