New Study: Bigger Dogs Are Better Thinkers

pspan style=color: #0d0d0d; font-family: Roboto, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap; background-color: #f9f9f9;Ever wondered which dogs are the smartest? According to researchers, that could be dictated by something as simple as how big (or small) they are. If memory tests and self-control are markers of intelligence, then large dogs seem to take the cake. University of Arizona researchers collected data of 7,000 purebred dogs of 74 different breeds and found that absolute brain size equates to smarts. They did this by testing how quickly different dogs could find hidden treats and how well they listened to “stay” commands when tempted with treats. When we test dogs on those sorts of tasks, where they have to exert self-control over not stealing something or they have to remember where something is hidden, the larger brained dogs seem to do better than smaller brained dogs, said the researchers./span