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Writer's pictureCierra Voelkl

Hold Onto Your Paws: Dogs Aren't THAT Smart After All


Recent studies have revealed something that us dog lovers shan't dare to think about: apparently, dogs aren't as smart as we've been giving them credit for. We really don't want to be the ones to break this to you, but you know...science. But why would someone even want to try prove this???


Photo Credit: Dreamstime.com

Well according to the study in The Journal Learning & Behavior. To do this, researchers compared canine cognition to other social hunters, carnivores and domestic animals since dogs call into all groups and used existing data on several animals to compare the dogs to to see if they stand out. Cognition is the mental action or process of acquiring knowledge and understanding through thought, experience, and the senses.

Sensory, spatial, social, physical cognition and self-awareness were covered in this study. The study stated "Although the comparisons are incomplete...we conclude that dog cognition is influenced by the membership of all three of these groups, and taking all three groups into account, dog cognition does not look exceptional."

Consider us BAFFLED.


But don't be too disappointed, there were parts that the dogs scored better than other animals! That's good....right? They are actually a bit above average when it comes to social cognition, even more so with humans but they didn't score too well in physical cognition which is interacting and understanding the objects around them but I think we already knew that.


Photo Credit: Four Comfort

The overall result? "There is no current case for canine exceptionalism," the study states.

Just remember, our furry friends are still special to all of us and know us better than most humans do! If you love them and they love you, well that's all that should matter in the end.


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