What Is the Least Intelligent Dog Breed?

You probably don’t think too much about how smart your dog is. As long as they understand basic commands, what is the worry? Dogs are lovable and loyal creatures that provide so much joy. While this is all well and fine, you still don’t want your dog to be stupid. It makes it much harder to train them and keep them in line. So what is the least intelligent dog breed?

Well, there is actually more than just one. Many breeds of dogs actually lack intelligence, but this doesn’t mean they are any less cute or more fun to own as a pet. This also doesn’t mean they are stupid either. Just that they might require a little more training and patience. If you want a really smart dog breed, get yourself a Border Collie, Golden Retriever, German Shepherd, or Australian Cattle Dog. But if you aren’t fussed, here are some great dog breeds that aren’t that smart but make suitable pets.

1. Basset Hound

With their long, droopy ears and often confused-looking face, Basset Hounds don’t give the look of an animal with much intelligence. While they aren’t stupid, Basset Hounds do have a relatively low IQ when compared to other breeds. This makes them very hard to train. This is partly due to their intelligence and their laziness, with Basset Hounds not known for being the most motivated of dog breeds. This breed might not be the smartest dog, but they do possess a fantastic sense of smell, which is why they were often used as hunting dogs. 

2. Chow Chow

Does it get any cuter? The Chow Chow is a fluffy dog originally bred in China. They have very thick coats, curly tails, and purple/black tongues, something no other dog breed has besides the Shar-Pei. These doggies can either be overly aggressive or passive, depending on how they are raised. As they form tight bonds with their owners and can become protective, it is best to interact with lots of other people and dog breeds while a Chow Chow is young. This way they are more likely to be less aggro. While they aren’t exactly the dumbest dog breed, these dogs don’t have much respect for authority and will often do what they want and not listen to commands the older they get. You’ve been warned. 

3. English Mastiff

These lovable dogs make ideal family pets due to their loyalty and friendliness. That said, they can also be difficult to train and are not suited to small apartments or dwellings. They need exercise and room to move, otherwise, you will quickly find your lounge chewed up and tables knocked over. They also drool a lot, so be prepared to have everything covered in doggy saliva. English Mastiffs can also be hard to train, but this is necessary if you want your new pet to become a loyal and respectful dog. Due to their size, if they aren’t trained well they can easily start bossing you around and doing as they please. 

4. Afghan Hound

This dog breed is another that doesn’t look like an intelligent dog. The Afghan Hound is selectively bred to deal with the conditions of the cold mountains of Afghanistan. This is where it gets its name from, obviously. They are very cute dogs, with long coats that often make them look like they have long hair like a human. Despite being one of the oldest dog breeds, they haven’t gotten any smarter over the years. As stated by Dr Stanley Coren in his book The Intelligence of Dogs, the Afghan Hound ranks last out of the top 138 dog breeds when it comes to training. Despite their lack of obedience, Afghan Hounds are very playful and make great companions. 

5. Pekingese

These tiny dogs have a brain that matches their size. A breed of dog that originates from China, the Pekingese was often the dog that the Imperial members of China would own. As they are small in size, they don’t require much exercise but do need lots of attention, as that is what they thrive on. While they might not be dumb, Pekingese are known to be stubborn and believe themselves to be superior to their owners or other pets. This means they can often be hard to train and keep on the straight and narrow, as they do what they want, when they want. 

6. Bloodhound

The Bloodhound is another dog breed with an incredible sense of smell. These large scent hounds can pick up a human smell from miles away and make great tracking dogs. These dogs have a gentle temperament and are very affectionate, making them top-notch house pets. The downside is that they can be easily distracted due to their strong sense of smell, making them very difficult to train. They would rather chase down what they smell than listen to commands from a trainer. 

7. English Bulldog

One of the most popular dog breeds, the English Bulldog is also one of those breeds that lacks intelligence. Loved by most due to their cuddly appearance and wrinkly face that makes them extremely pattable, the English Bulldog is not an intelligent dog breed. While they might not be smart, English Bulldogs do make awesome companions. They often get a bad reputation for being aggressive, but this could be further from the truth. They get along with everyone, especially children and other pets. Just don’t expect them to be overly intelligent. 

8. Chihuahua

One of the smallest dog breeds, the Chihuahua is commonly associated with the rich and famous. Paris Hilton’s Tinkerbell was one of the most well-known, while Ren from Ren and Stimpy is also another famous Chihuahua. While they might be adorable, Chihuahuas can be a handful. They bark a lot and need constant attention. If you aren’t being affectionate enough, they will soon use their energy to cause a raucous in your home. They illustrate their lack of intelligence when it comes to other dogs. They will step up to any other canine, no matter the size, and get in their face. 

9. Saint Bernard

The Saint Bernard is a popular dog originally bred to help with rescues. An Italian monk named Bernard of Menthon who worked at the hospice of the Great St Bernard Pass trained the dogs to help with alpine rescues. These days this large dog breed makes a fantastic family pet. They are good-natured and friendly. Saint Bernards also need lots of training as they aren’t too smart. They don’t realize their size can be a problem and won’t hesitate to jump on you while you’re on the couch or in bed. They can also knock down kids while trying to be playful. Train them well and you won’t have a problem, but let them do as they please and there will be consequences. 

10. Bull Terrier

Here is a breed of dog with a very distinct look. They are known for their triangle-shaped head and muscular body. While they are often associated with being aggressive, if trained (which can be difficult), the Bull Terrier is a great dog who interacts well with other adults, children, and dogs. Due to their stubborn nature, the Bull Terrier often does dumb things, which is why many don’t consider them to be overly smart. A guard dog they are not. 

11. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel has a long history of interbreeding, so it should come as no surprise that it makes this list. These small dogs are charming, playful, and loyal, making them a favorite breed with American pet owners. While they have what has been described as ‘normal intelligence,’ Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are easily distracted. They have an instinct to chase things, which is not good if let off the leash near busy roads. As they are happy to make friends with anyone who they come in contact with, be that human or animal, they don’t make great guard dogs either. 

12. Beagle

These small hounds possess a great sense of smell and are really good at tracking. Unlike many of the dogs on this list, Beagles are relatively intelligent, with Dr Stanley Coren ranking them 72 out of 138 dogs based on intelligence in his book The Intelligence of Dogs. As they are single-minded and stubborn, they can be hard to train, which many people see as a lack of intelligence. They are often lazy and don’t need a lot of exercise to keep fit and healthy. While they do bark, they don’t make good guard dogs as any attention shown to them will have them wagging their tail and thinking they have a new friend. 

13. Scottish Terrier

Yes, this breed of dog is extremely loyal, but they are also lacking the smarts of other breeds. The Scottish Terrier often comes across as aloof and can often be tricky to train as they are independent and don’t like following orders. Along with being yappy and possessed with a big personality that belies their size, Scottish Terriers are quite playful and can be lots of fun to have around. 

14. Borzoi

The Borzoi is a Russian hunting dog that originated in the 17th century. Resembling the Afghan Hound, these loyal beasts are on the large size and very athletic. Possessing a calm demeanor, these dogs are also very independent, making them hard to train. They don’t react well to repetitiveness and are easily bored, especially when trying to train them. Like so many dogs on this list, they are stubborn and need incentives from their owners to take part in activities and help with their obedience training.