Bhg
  • Shop
  • News
  • Food
  • DIY
  • Garden
  • Travel
  • Renovating
  • Decorating
  • Property
  • Health
  • TV
  • Podcasts
Bhg
  • Shop
  • News
  • Food
  • DIY
  • Garden
  • Travel
  • Renovating
  • Decorating
  • Property
  • Health
  • TV
  • Podcasts
Subscribe
YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR
Watch 6:32

YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR

{headline}

{headline}

Dr Harry meets some hero hounds

Dr Harry meets some hero hounds

The best dog harness for your pup

The best dog harness for your pup

How to prevent sunburn in dogs

How to prevent sunburn in dogs

Dr Harry helps a kelpie that won’t drop the ball

Dr Harry helps a kelpie that won’t drop the ball

{headline}

{headline}

Dr Harry meets Bindi the labradoodle

Dr Harry meets Bindi the labradoodle

Dr Harry helps two cavoodles with a wee problem

Dr Harry helps two cavoodles with a wee problem

Dr Harry visits Wookie, a sock-stealing labradoodle

Dr Harry visits Wookie, a sock-stealing labradoodle

{headline}

{headline}

How to treat a dog with anxiety

How to treat a dog with anxiety

What you should know before getting a boxer dog

What you should know before getting a boxer dog

What you should know before getting a dachshund

What you should know before getting a dachshund

Why the Newfoundland is the perfect family dog

Why the Newfoundland is the perfect family dog

What is the biggest dog in the world?

What is the biggest dog in the world?

The most popular dog names predicted for 2020

The most popular dog names predicted for 2020

Study proves dog owners live longer, happier lives

Study proves dog owners live longer, happier lives

  1. Home
  2. Pets

Unfortunately, your dog isn't as smart as you think he is

This is not the news we wanted to wake up to - by Alex Pierotti
  • 03 Oct 2018
Unfortunately, your dog isn't as smart as you think he is
Getty Images

This is heartbreaking news: your best friend isn't as bright as you think he is, finds new research. 

According to a new paper published in the journal Learning & Behaviour, dogs aren't smarter than other animals. 

After analysing more than 300 existing studies on animal intelligence, lead author Stephen Lea, from the University of Exeter, set out about comparing dogs to equivalent species. 

“Dogs are special, but they’re not exceptional,” says co-author Britta Osthaus, a senior lecturer in psychology at Christ Church University in the UK.

“They’re smart, but they’re not stand-out smart.”

Dogs fit into three classes: carnivorans - meat-eaters, social hunters and domesticated pets. 

Osthaus and Lea compared dogs to other species in those three categories.

They chose wolves, wild dogs and hyenas, cats, dolphins and chimpanzees and horses and pigeons. 

Interestingly, results from testing found that these animals matched or exceeded dogs' abilities to problem-solve as well as social intelligence. 

“They’re the only species at the middle of these three categories, so they are rather special,” continues Osthaus. However, in each of the three categories, “you will find other animals or other species that will do as well as dogs, or maybe even better.”

“We like our dogs to be very clever, and we like them to be appreciated,” adds Osthaus. “We need to take into account that dogs are dogs. We need to be fair toward dogs, to know what their limits are, so we don’t expect too much.”

“If we know a lot about the cognition of pigs or goats, then we need to look into their welfare and how we keep them.

“If they have needs for social interaction and for mental stimulation, then we need to provide that.”

You might also like:

6 ways to keep your cat happy in a small home

The new must-have fashion for dogs

Alex Pierotti
Alex Pierotti
Alex has high hopes of being the next Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen. He lives for Pinterest, knows his way around a toolbox and frothed millennial pink before it was in fashion. When he's not catching up on old episodes of Better Homes and Gardens, you'll find him tending to his veggie patch or plating up a mean roast lamb (with all the trimmings).

Get your mag delivered!-Save 29% off the cover price!

Subscribe for $4.95 per issue

Subscribe Now
Get your mag delivered!

Get your mag delivered!-Save 29% off the cover price!

Subscribe for $4.95 per issue

Subscribe Now
Get your mag delivered!

Recommended to you

YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR
Watch 6:32

YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR

{headline}

{headline}

Dr Harry meets some hero hounds

Dr Harry meets some hero hounds

The best dog harness for your pup

The best dog harness for your pup

How to prevent sunburn in dogs

How to prevent sunburn in dogs

Dr Harry helps a kelpie that won’t drop the ball

Dr Harry helps a kelpie that won’t drop the ball

{headline}

{headline}

Dr Harry meets Bindi the labradoodle

Dr Harry meets Bindi the labradoodle

Dr Harry helps two cavoodles with a wee problem

Dr Harry helps two cavoodles with a wee problem

Dr Harry visits Wookie, a sock-stealing labradoodle

Dr Harry visits Wookie, a sock-stealing labradoodle

{headline}

{headline}

How to treat a dog with anxiety

How to treat a dog with anxiety

What you should know before getting a boxer dog

What you should know before getting a boxer dog

What you should know before getting a dachshund

What you should know before getting a dachshund

Why the Newfoundland is the perfect family dog

Why the Newfoundland is the perfect family dog

What is the biggest dog in the world?

What is the biggest dog in the world?

The most popular dog names predicted for 2020

The most popular dog names predicted for 2020

Study proves dog owners live longer, happier lives

Study proves dog owners live longer, happier lives

Bhg
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
Bhg Magazine Subscribe
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy

Brands

  • All Recipes
  • BHG Shop
  • Girlfriend
  • Home Beautiful
  • New Idea
  • New Idea Food
  • Practical Parenting

Our Network

  • marie claire
  • Instyle
  • Beauty Crew
  • Who
  • Women's Weekly Food
  • Bounty Parents
  • That’s Life
  • Perth Now
  • The West Australian
  • 7Plus
  • Airtasker
  • 7NEWS
  • SocietyOne
  • Health Engine
  • Starts at 60
© 2021 Are Media PTY LTD
Get more from Better Homes and Gardens

Magazine Subscription Offer

Get your mag delivered!-Save 29% off the cover price!

Shop This Offer
Get your mag delivered!