26 of the Absolute Dumbest Dog Breeds
To say we love our furry friends is a total understatement.
Dogs bring light in our loves and fill us all with an insane amount of love. Not only can they turn our frowns upside down, but they seem to know when we need them around. Some dogs, however, aren't the brightest when it comes to certain things like social cues and training. Just because they're on the not-so-intelligent side, doesn't mean we don't still love them to death.
Sound anything like your dog? Keep reading to find out if your dog is among one of the 26 absolute dumbest dog breeds:
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1. Lhasa Apso
Lhasa Apsos are pretty much guaranteed to be seen at every dog show. Their ability to grow long hair makes them look like actual models. However, while they may have good looks, their smarts aren't exactly superior. Due to their stubborn nature, they'd rather play around all day. They love cuddling, so taking time out of their nap schedule to train doesn't typically sit well with them.
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2. Borzoi
No offense to the borzoi owners out there, but this breed doesn't even have the characteristics of a typical dog! Many people describe them as cat-like, which leaves us wondering why someone would get this over a tiny house cat. To each, their own! The borzoi dog tends to live in its own world, not really paying attention or caring about anyone or anything else.
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3. Italian Greyhound
While Italian greyhounds may seem like fierce creatures, they're actually pretty anxiety-prone. Due to this, they tend to back off and use their stubborn nature in lots of situations. They love to chase and play around outside, but don't expect them to be the sharpest tools in the shed. These greyhounds aren't the best when it comes to training due to their often nervous behavior.
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4. Basenji
The Basenji, while absolutely adorable, is not the smartest of dogs. This breed is known for their independent behavior, meaning that when it comes to training, they like to do their own thing. Since they're not super important to them, they might not remember commands, making it super difficult for them to learn new things.
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5. Beagle
Beagles are arguably some of the best sniffers, meaning they can track smells and scents very accurately. However, despite this, training them is next to impossible. Due to their keen sense of smell, that's basically all they want to do—follow their nose. So, if you plan on training a beagle, make sure there aren't any distractions nearby, because they will forget all about you.
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6. Maltese
The Maltese breed is made up of tiny white dogs with the cutest of personalities. They're little firecrackers with manipulative characteristics, as they use their cuteness to get what they want. They love having all the attention on them and being the center of attention, so the second you look away from this dog, it might get itself into some trouble to spite you.
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7. Basset Hound
When you look at a basset hound, it's already pretty clear they're a tad bit dumb. Since they have adorable droopy ears and features, it makes them truly look unintelligent. Due to their lazy and stubborn behavior, this breed requires lots of patience when it comes to training. They have a keen sense of smell, which can be an issue when trying to teach it commands, as they'll get distracted.
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8. Chihuahua
Some people think Chihuahuas aren't the prettiest of dogs, and we'd sadly have to agree. However, while this dog may not be winning any beauty contests in the future, they are known for their strong personalities. Chances are, when you think of a Chihuahua, you think of a barking dog trying to start a fight with one much bigger than itself. Their little brains don't lead to the best of decisions.
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9. Chow Chow
Chow chows arguably look like little teddy bears, making people want to cuddle up with them. However, while they may look super cuddly, they aren't exactly the best at it. In fact, they make great guard dogs, but, due to their territorial and stubborn nature, getting them to listen to your commands won't always be a walk in the park.
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10. Rottweiler
If you've ever seen a Rottweiler with their owner, you know that they're fiercely devoted creatures. However, while they do love their owners, their low intelligence means getting them to listen can be a difficult task. They tend to forget things easily and can't concentrate for long periods of time, meaning that training can be a daunting task.
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11. Pekingese
When you look at a Pekingese, you probably picture a tiny lap dog. After all, that's what they're known for! Due to their spoiled lifestyles, this breed is quite stubborn. They'd rather be pampered all day than have to pay attention during a training session. Their dominance and independent way of thinking will make it rather difficult for owners to manage.
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12. Scottish Terrier
Scottish terriers are very regal-looking dogs, however, they are anything but that! In fact, this breed is very hyper and has a daring streak. They'd rather dance to the beat of their own drum than listen to someone else's commands. For this reason, it's difficult getting them to calm down and actually listen during training sessions.
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13. Saint Bernard
When you look at a Saint Bernard, you might think of the classic '90s movie, Beethoven. These fluffy and loveable dogs are fiercely loyal and love to play around. However, they don't have the best memories, meaning that remembering commands can be quite difficult. They don't always obey their owners, but what they lack in obedience, they make up for in charm.
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14. Bull Terrier
If you've ever seen a bull terrier in action, you know that they're fearless and all about having fun. They love to run around and play with their owners, meaning there will never be a moment of boredom! However, they're not the best at training due to their stubborn streaks. They require a lot of positivity in order to succeed.
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15. Great Pyrenees
The Great Pyrenees is a mountain dog and known for their superior guard-dog nature. However, they also have an independent side, meaning they aren't the best listeners. They like to take their time and can be rather slow, so when trying to train them, it will take an incredible amount of patience and consistency.
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16. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels make fabulous family dogs. They're small enough for little children and hyper enough to keep up with. But, due to their not so sharp nature, they tend to forget things rather easily. They may come across as slow in some instances, but overall, they're incredibly loving and gentle at heart.
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17. Bloodhound
Bloodhounds make us think of old detective movies, and for good reason! This breed is widely used in the police force because they have a phenomenal sense of smell. While these tracker dogs are smart in some senses, their noses make it difficult for them to listen to instructions. Sometimes their instincts take over and they don't obey their owners.
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18. Afghan Hound
Similar to a borzoi, the Afghan hound breed is known for their cat-like behavior. This dog is not only incredibly beautiful, but they make excellent trackers, as well. However, since they were bred to be outdoors, it can be rather difficult to train them as a housepet. They aren't the most obedient of dogs, but they are fiercely loyal.
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19. English Bulldog
We can't help but think that English bulldogs are amongst the cutest of the dog breeds! While many view them as scary, they're actually rather docile in the right environment. They're super loving creatures but aren't the easiest breed to train. English bulldogs certainly have minds of their own, meaning they won't be able to pay attention for long periods of time.
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20. Shih Tzu
Shih tzus are known in Chinese culture to be among royalty. They've been bred for thousands of years and are to this day one of the most sought-after dogs. Their small statures and playful behavior make them great family pets. However, they can be rather disobedient and sneaky, meaning training them won't be an easy task.
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21. Bullmastiff
The ever-adorable bullmastiff is highly known for their loving nature. Since they get along well with families, they also make amazing guard dogs. However, due to their courageous personalities, they tend to have minds of their own. Listening to their owners' commands isn't at the top of their priority lists.
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22. Old English Sheepdog
Old English sheepdogs are some of the sweetest canines you'll ever come across. Their fluffy exterior matches the softness of their hearts, making them great family pets. But, due to their mellow and relaxed nature, training them is rather difficult. They have short attention spans and tend to get bored easily.
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23. French Bulldog
If you've ever seen a French bulldog in person, it's quite evident that they're playful and have big personalities. They don't like following the rules and tend to go off and do their own thing. Because of this, training needs to begin when they're young. It will be difficult and require a lot of patience in regards to the trainer.
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24. English Mastiff
Perhaps the most stubborn on our list, the English mastiff sure does know how to cause impatience in its owners. They require a lot of patience and attention during the initial training stages, so it's super important that owners stick around during those prime months. In spite of all this, they're among some of the sweetest dog breeds out there.
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25. Lakeland Terrier
Lakeland terriers are medium-sized dogs with lots of personality. They're among the many breeds of stubborn dogs, and for good reason. They're hard to control at times because they're so vivacious, meaning that obedience isn't their strongest suit. Training needs to be done promptly in order to get optimal results.
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26. Pug
Pugs are surely some of the cutest canines to roam this earth. We love their small statures and smooshed faces. Since they look rather dumb, it's not so far-fetched that they're not the brightest breed. While they do want to make their owners proud and happy, they're also very sensitive. This can make training difficult for trainers who use harsher techniques.
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