How to Know If a Dog Is Intelligent - Test

We all know dogs are very intelligent animals, capable of amazing us with their actions, skill, and logic. It's not intelligence comparable to a human's, though in some cases they do surpass us — we have to admit it. That's why we've created this simple intelligence test for dogs.

Remember, there are smarter dog breeds than others simply due to genetics, though it's worth remembering the smartest dogs are the ones that were properly socialized, trained, and stimulated since puppyhood.

Do you dare take our canine intelligence test? If the results aren't what you expected, don't worry. A dog is a life companion — it's enough that it gives us its love and respect, it doesn't need to be Einstein. That said, taking the test can be a lot of fun and interesting too.

Canine Test to Measure a Dog's Intelligence

We're going to run a series of tests that'll show us our dog's intelligence level. These tests should be done when the dog is calm, ideally in a quiet place where other dogs or noises won't distract it.

This simple intelligence test tries to measure our dog's cognitive abilities, its attention, and its initiative to solve problems. In short, it shows the intelligence a dog has.

To run the tests, you'll just need one of your dog's toys, some dog treats (or food in general, something it really likes), and a watch or stopwatch to time how long your dog takes to complete the tests.

Test 1: Tell your dog to sit, and in front of it, place a bit of food UNDER its food bowl. Give the command to eat and time it.

• If your dog took under 10 seconds to eat the food: 5 points
• If your dog took between 11 and 30 seconds to eat the food: 4 points
• If your dog took between 31 and 60 seconds to eat the food: 3 points
• If your dog took more than 60 seconds to eat the food: 1 point

Test 2: Throw one of your dog's toys into a corner of your house and order it to find and bring it back to you. Meanwhile, run and hide behind a curtain in a different room, without it seeing you hide. Stay quiet and don't make noise.

• If your dog took under 30 seconds to find you: 5 points
• If your dog took between 31 and 60 seconds to find you: 4 points
• If your dog took between 61 and 90 seconds to find you: 3 points
• If your dog took more than 91 seconds to find you: 1 point

Test 3: Take a bit of food and wrap it in a cloth or towel, with a couple of folds — no need to tie a knot or make it impossible. Do this in front of your dog, and once you're done, give the command to eat.

• If your dog took under 40 seconds to get its food: 5 points
• If your dog took between 41 and 60 seconds to get its food: 4 points
• If your dog took between 61 and 100 seconds to get its food: 3 points
• If your dog took more than 101 seconds to get its food: 1 point

Test 4: Put a bit of food on the floor in front of your dog. Now cover your dog with a towel, trying to fully cover its head and part of its body. Then give the command to eat.

• If your dog took under 20 seconds to get its food: 5 points
• If your dog took between 21 and 40 seconds to get its food: 4 points
• If your dog took between 41 and 60 seconds to get its food: 3 points
• If your dog took more than 61 seconds to get its food: 1 point

Test 5: Show your dog a bit of food and take it out of the room. Drag the food a little across the floor so the smell shows your dog where you're about to hide it. Hide the food and let your dog in, giving the command to find and eat.

• If your dog took under 60 seconds to get its food: 5 points
• If your dog took between 61 and 100 seconds to get its food: 4 points
• If your dog took between 101 and 160 seconds to get its food: 3 points
• If your dog took more than 161 seconds to get its food: 1 point

Test Results Based on the Score Obtained

Now it's time to find out the results of the tests done on your dog — based on the score obtained, your dog will be more or less intelligent. Remember to add up the scores from the five tests above to get its overall rating.

• Between 21 and 25 points: Congratulations!! Your dog is a genius.
• Between 16 and 20 points: Congratulations!! Your dog has above-average intelligence.
• Between 10 and 15 points: Great!! Your dog is at the average level of canine intelligence.
• Under 10 points: Bravo!! Your dog might not become an engineer, but it surely has a huge heart.

Did you like the results? Remember, none of this really matters — how smart your dog is, or the results of this intelligence test. What really matters is how much you love it and how much it loves you. A dog will never earn a college degree — don't worry if your score came out a bit low.

This intelligence test has no scientific basis whatsoever — it's simply a fun way to spend quality time with your dog and gauge its abilities. A dog's intelligence is actually comparable to that of a three- or four-year-old human, but its memory is far superior.