The Intelligence of Ridgebacks and Journalists

Are successive generations of news reporters becoming dumber?"  This is the question Stanley Coren, Ph.D. professor of psychology at the University of British Columbia asks in Psychology today.

He is referring to an article by Lucy Cockcroft from the Telegraph who states that scientists in Sweden have found strong evidence that breeding for appearance has led to a decline in intelligence.

Yet again our breed is being victimised as the article states that the worst affected working breeds were smooth collies, once a herding dog, and Rhodesian ridgebacks, which were used for hunting even dangerous game

The article goes on to read that “Their mental and physical agility of many breeds is being eroded as owners now look for docile, pretty pets to live in their homes.

In the 19th century dogs were more likely to be selected for their strength and skills, so they were able to earn their keep guarding homes and livestock and fetching the quarry on a hunting trip.

But a significant change in breeding trends has meant the ancestors of these proud working dogs are now less responsive to commands and not as alert or attentive.”

“Dogs are now selected for breeding because they have the silkiest coat rather than the keenest sense of smell or quickest reactions.

Concentrating on these outward aspects has been dictated by the requirements set by dog shows, and the needs of modern pet owners.”

The Telegraph article refers to the findings of  Kenth Svartberg, an ethologist from Stockholm University.

The  Article was picked up by the Los Angeles Times and thus demonstrates how fast news travels. 

Psychologist Stanley Coren was surprised by the article as he  has done extensive  research on canine intelligence and recognises that different breeds of dogs show systematic differences in intelligence and trainability. Thus the data suggests that the Border Collie, Poodle, German Shepherd, Golden Retriever, Doberman Pinscher, Shetland Sheepdog and Labrador Retriever top all other breeds in terms of their trainability. However it had been his impression that dogs in our modern era are actually more trainable and that many of the newest breeds and lines of dogs appeared to be brighter than their predecessors.

Dr Coren traced the piece of research by the ethologist Kenth Svartberg, who is listed as being at Sweden's Stockholm University.

The article describes Svartberg's research as involving the testing of 13,000 dogs and it reports that he used the data to rate the intelligence of 31 breeds. It goes on to say that he found that those dogs that were bred for appearance, and especially for dog shows, displayed lower levels of intelligence.

Dr Coren found out that  that the research being reported as new in 2009 was actually based on an article published by Svartberg in the Journal of Applied Animal Behaviour in 2006. Although Dr Coren had read that article he had no recollection of it dealing with canine intelligence at all, but rather with the personality of dogs. However he went back to check the original publication.

It turns that intelligence was not measured. As the article notes "breed scores were calculated for four behavioural traits: playfulness, curiosity/fearlessness, sociability and aggressiveness. These traits have previously been found to be stable and valid, and hence regarded as personality traits in the dog." Notice that there are no intelligence measures involved.

According to Svartberg his findings demonstrate that dogs bred mainly for appearance and for use in the confirmation show ring tend to be more easily frightened and are less curious and playful in unfamiliar situations. He warns that since people tend to like dogs that more sociable and playful, and less easily frightened, breeders should pay more attention to the temperaments of their dogs. He advises breeders  to not sacrifice personality qualities which are desirable for animals designed to be pets and companions, just for the sake of good looks in the show ring. He does not say anything at all about intelligence or problem solving abilities in dogs.

Dr Coren then contacted Svartberg regarding the eroneous reports and interpretations of his work, especially since his findings were being broadly disseminated and used in a campaign attacking the breeding of purebred dogs in general. Svarthberg , based on his success as a canine behavior researcher had Svartberg had left the University and started a successful dog training and assessment business.

Svarthberg confirmed that the study cited by the London Telegraph and the Los Angeles Times was in fact based on the research he published three years earlier. He confirmed that "The study had nothing to do with intelligence in dogs, per se. He stated that The Telegraph had "misrepresented" his findings and suspects it did so in order to contribute to an ongoing debate in the UK about the breeding of pure bred dogs.

So what can we conclude? First there is no need to send your pure bred dog off to a special school for retarded canines, nor to worry that purebred dogs are becoming successively dumber due to poor breeding practices. Second one should conclude that scientific research as reported in the popular press often disagrees with what the authors actually wrote and published in scientific journals.

To get back to Ridgebacks, if the research refers to playfulness as how many times they will retrieve a ball , play with squeeky toys or go around an agility course, then I can understand they fail miserably.  There is no lack of playfulness in our dogs, every morning Blondie tears about leaping 4ft fences and gates, can’t keep her in at all.  Other games usually involve in one of the dogs being the prey and the other being the hunter as they enact out what they were bred for.  Perhaps dogs kept as a pack have more fun playing together than playing with researchers!   I can also understand that possibly some show ridgebacks are not as socialised and possibly more fearful than one that has lived as an only pet in a family.  Most breeders have a number of dogs and it is more difficult to socialise them, especially in today’s climate.

 Hounds are more sensitive than many other breeds and ridgebacks are no different.  It is that sensitivity that enables them to select the weak prey to hunt down.   As for fearfulness they can sometimes appear fearful especially as many owners do not have the leadership skills to make them secure in their human pack.

Temperament must always be an important consideration when breeding and it is my impression that our breed in the UK has a ‘softer’ nature than in some other countries but this is a necessity if our breed is to survive.  Our breed has become very popular; whereas before it was experienced enthusiasts that owned them they have now become a popular family pet.  Many of the today’s owners would not be able to control ridgebacks of decades ago.

In the showring, during the 70’s many dogs were nervous in the showring but due to lack of competition still won well and were used for breeding.  Today with  the competition we demand not only that they do not back off but that they display a certain amount of showmanship.  I totally dispute the article in the Telegraph.

Lindsey Barnes©

Click here to return to Breed Notes