A recent study prepared by scientists from the University of Helsinki (Finland) has revealed which is the most intelligent canine breed through a series of cognitive tests for which they have taken more than 1,000 copies of 13 different races. The result points to Malinois Belga, a tracker dog characterized by its ability to solve problems and its magnificent understanding of the human being and his needs.

To achieve this conclusion, the research has prepared the data set on cognitive aspects of more complete canine breeds that exists to date. The dogs examined have passed a total of 10 tasks: seven cognitive and three behavioral. Subsequently, the same team of experts responsible for the creation of Smartdog has evaluated the results.

Each race has its strengths and weaknesses. However, as indicated by one of the authors of the study, Katriina Tiira, in the case of the Belgian pastor Malinois, “he said in many of the cognitive tasks, with very good results in most of them.” The scientist has also highlighted the role of the border collies in the tests performed.

How has dogs be examined?
Among the tests to those who have submitted the canines are those of logical reasoning, where there has been no great difference between the different races, and those of cognition, which have been differential and have served to verify the capacity to solve problems of problems of problems dogs. Another remarkable test has been the one that measured the ability to read human gestures, which has been carried out evaluating the reaction of the canines to five gestures of the people: to indicate constantly, point very little, point out with the foot, point out something While looking in another direction and, finally, following the human look.

In line with this test, scientists have investigated the degree of independence of dogs and the speed with which they help a human who needs help. To do this, the irresolvable task has been raised to try to access the food inside a box that cannot be opened. “This task also measured a social aspect; Some races obtained very high scores in humans directed by humans, which means that they tried to ask the human help, while, at the other extreme, the dogs tried to solve the problem independently, ”said Tiira, which has added“ Both answers can be useful in different situations. ”

Final results of the tests
Both in the proof of gestures and in cognition, Belgian pastor Malinois was first. In addition, it was the fifth most independent. The border collies was followed in the results -secondly -and the Havawart -tercero-. However, the team of scientists has clarified that the classification with respect to each trait is not “as useful” as knowing what races they work best in their own skills.