An intelligent dog is a dog that learns, remembers, adapts and acts based on what it has learned.

There are several ways to test your dog's intelligence. Since a dog's intelligence is closely linked to its memory, we invite you to assess four aspects of your dog's intelligence:

• his short-term memory;

• his long-term memory;

• its environmental memory;

• his alternative memory.

Take the test now!

How smart is your dog?

Although there are certain predispositions depending on the breed of dog, for example, a Border Collie tends to be much more intelligent and easier to train than a Bulldog, there are always exceptions for each animal!

Assess your dog's intelligence yourself by testing his memory!

Memory: an indicator of intelligence in dogs

A dog's intelligence is indeed closely linked to its memory, as it allows the animal to learn, solve problems, interact with its environment, and adapt to new situations. Here's why the following four different forms of memory are a good indicator for measuring a dog's intelligence.

Short-term memory and its role in intelligence

Short-term memory allows dogs to retain information for a few seconds to a few minutes. This form of memory is crucial for immediate learning , such as following a given command immediately after hearing it. It allows for a quick connection between an action and a consequence.

For example: a dog that sees where you hide a treat can go and get it right away thanks to its short-term memory.

Long-term memory and its role in intelligence

Long-term memory allows dogs to retain information for long periods of time, sometimes for their entire lives. This form of memory is crucial for lasting learning and a dog's ability to reason from experience. It allows them to remember behaviors to avoid or routines and to recognize people or places even after a long absence. It supports a dog's ability to reason from experience.

For example: a dog that has been mistreated by a man in uniform may show fear when seeing a person dressed in the same way months later.

Environmental memory and its role in intelligence

Environmental memory allows dogs to navigate their surroundings. This form of memory is crucial for spatial orientation and finding paths, objects, or people.

For example: a dog always finds its way home, even after a difficult walk.

Alternative memory and its role in intelligence

Alternative memory allows dogs to learn new rules and adapt when a solution no longer works. This form of memory is crucial for forgetting an ineffective strategy and adopting a new one. This form of memory shows that intelligence is not based solely on raw memory, but on dynamic information management and problem solving.

For example: A dog tries to open a door with its paw and fails. It tries again, but with its muzzle—it adapts its strategy.

Test your dog's memory at home

Have fun doing the following four exercises with your dog . Depending on the results, you will know if your dog has an exceptional memory, average memory, or poor memory compared to other dogs.

Prepare to take the test

THE CONDITIONS

You can perform this test with any breed of dog, but you must meet two conditions:

1. your dog must be at least one year old;

2. your dog must have lived for more than ten weeks at the location where you are testing (for test 3).

WHAT YOU WILL NEED

• a person to help you (if your dog does not sit and stay on command);

• your dog's leash (and harness or collar);

• a stopwatch or watch;

• some treats that don't have strong odors (otherwise, your dog's sense of smell could skew the data);

• three identical empty plastic cups or cans (for test 4).

Test 1: Short-term memory

If your dog won't sit and stay on command, ask the person helping you to keep your dog on a leash.

Step 1

Put your dog on a leash and have him sit in the center of the room. It's best to do this test in a medium-sized room that doesn't have a lot of furniture or other clutter.

Step 2

As he looks at you, show him the treat and, with huge exaggeration (but no sound) place the treat in a corner, making sure he sees you do it.

Step 3

Leave the room with your dog for no more than 15 seconds.

Step 4

Return to the room with your dog and when it's time to unleash the leash, start the timer.

Test 1 results

• Your dog goes straight to the treat: 5 points
• Your dog systematically sniffs around the room and then finds the treat: 4 points
• Your dog seems to randomly search for the treat and ends up finding it within 45 seconds: 3 points
• Your dog seems to be looking for the treat but doesn't find it after 45 seconds: 2 points
• Your dog makes no effort to look for the treat: 1 point

Test 2: Long-term memory

Do this test immediately after the first one in the same room.

Step 1

Put your dog on a leash and have him sit in the center of the room.

Step 2

As he looks at you, show him the treat and, with great exaggeration (but no sound), place the treat in a corner, making sure he sees you do this. Place the treat in a different corner from where you put it in the first test.

Step 3

Leave the room with your dog for at least 5 minutes.

Step 4

Return to the room with your dog and when it's time to unleash the leash, start the timer.

Test 2 results

• Your dog goes straight to the treat: 5 points
• Your dog goes to the corner where your first treat was located and then quickly finds the treat: 4 points
• Your dog systematically sniffs around the room and finds the treat: 3 points
• Your dog appears to randomly search for the treat and finds it within 45 seconds: 2 points
• Your dog seems to be looking for the treat but can't find it after 45 seconds: 1 point
• Your dog makes no effort to get the treat: 0 points

Test 3: Environmental memory

Step 1

While your dog is outside the house, move familiar furniture around.

For example, you could add chairs to the room, move a large piece of furniture to the center of the room, place the coffee table in an odd corner, put the coffee table in the center of the room, or create several other small disruptions.

Try to make sure that at least 5 things are clearly different in the room .

Step 2

Bring your dog into the room and start the timer by standing silently in the room.

Test 3 results

• Your dog notices something different within 15 seconds and begins to explore or sniff some changed aspect of the room: 5 points
• Your dog notices the differences and explores one or more of the changed aspects of the room within 15 to 30 seconds: 4 points
• Your dog notices the differences and explores one or more of the changed aspects of the room after 30 seconds: 3 points
• Your dog looks around cautiously, seems to notice some changes, but does not explore the room: 2 points
• After one minute your dog still ignores the changes: 1 point

Test 4: Alternative Memory

For this test, you will need three identical empty plastic cups or cans and some treats.

Step 1

Put your dog on a leash and have him sit in front of you.

Step 2

Rub the bottom and edges of each box or cup with a treat to use as bait so your dog can use his sense of smell to guide his choices.

Step 3

In front of him, place the empty boxes in a row, the open side facing the ground, with about 30 cm of space between each one.

Step 4

With exaggerated movements, show him the treat, lift the middle box and place the treat underneath.

Step 5

Take off his leash and let him go. Whether or not he manages to reach the treat by dropping the box is irrelevant. Instead, observe the attention he pays to each box.

Test 4 results

• Your dog goes directly to the middle box: 5 points
• Your dog goes to either of the other two boxes and returns his attention to the middle box, ignoring the other two: 4 points
• Your dog sniffs all three boxes and returns his attention to the middle box: 3 points
• Your dog sniffs the three boxes and pushes each one indiscriminately: 2 points
• Your dog walks and ignores the boxes: 1 point

Count the final score (interpretation of results)

Add the scores from tests 1 to 4 and use the chart below to interpret the results.

If your dog's total score is:

• 17 to 20 points: his memory is extremely good.

• 13 to 16 points: his memory is well above average.

• 9 to 12 points: his memory is average.

• 6 to 8 points: his memory is at its limit.

• 5 points or less: His memory is in the bottom 10% of all dogs.

Conclusion

In any case, there are some upsides to having a more or less intelligent dog. For one thing, if your dog's memory is good, it will be easier to train him. On the other hand, if your dog's memory is below average, it will be easier for him to forget that he was pinched or mistreated by a child, for example. He also probably won't remember if you're late for his meal—and he may forget his last visit to the vet.

Whether you're simply curious about your dog's memory skills or concerned about the possibility of memory loss in your older dog, you can easily perform this short test at home. Keep track of the results and compare them from year to year. This can help you observe changes in your dog to discuss with your veterinarian so you can better support your dog throughout his life.