Like many people with experience with dogs, do you fall into the trope that big dogs are more intelligent than small dogs? A recent study published in Biology Letters wanted to explore this common perception and the connection between a dog’s size and intelligence.

advertisement

The Study’s Findings

A team of researchers from the University of Montpellier in France conducted a study to explore the connection between a dog’s brain size and its body size. The results were unexpected. The study revealed that smaller dogs have relatively larger brains than their body size.

For example, tiny breeds like Chihuahuas have larger brains than their size. In contrast, larger breeds, such as Huskies—often considered intelligent dogs—have smaller brains than their larger bodies.

This finding flips common assumptions about the relationship between brain size and intelligence.

How the Study Was Conducted

To conduct this study, the research team analyzed the skulls of 1,682 adult dogs from 172 different breeds housed at the Natural History Museum in Bern, Switzerland. The researchers measured and compared the ratio of brain size to body size across various breeds. This comparison revealed patterns that shed light on dogs’ cognitive abilities based on size.

Smaller Dogs May Be Smarter Than Larger Dogs

The study found a clear pattern: smaller dogs tend to have larger brains relative to their body size. Conversely larger dogs typically have smaller brains relative to their bodies. This may seem counterintuitive. Especially given the common belief that larger animals, including dogs, tend to be more intelligent due to their bigger brains.

Interestingly, the study also highlighted differences between dogs bred as “companions” and those bred as “workers.” Companion dogs, like Chihuahuas and Yorkies, bred mainly to live with humans, tend to have larger brains relative to their body size. Meanwhile, working breeds such as Siberian Huskies, Rottweilers, and Great Pyrenees, bred for specific tasks, tend to have relatively smaller brains than their larger bodies.

The researchers suggest that this difference may result from humans’ selective breeding. Dogs are bred to fulfill specific roles or satisfy human desires rather than evolve naturally to meet the demands of the wild, as with other species.

The Link Between Brain Size and Behavior

The study also found some behavioral trends linked to brain size. Smaller breeds with relatively larger brains, such as Chihuahuas, Pomeranians, and Yorkshire Terriers, often exhibit higher levels of fear, aggression, separation anxiety, and attention-seeking behavior. These traits may be connected to the larger relative brain size in these breeds. However, more research is needed to confirm these behavioral patterns.

advertisement

What’s Next for Canine Intelligence Research?

While this study offers valuable insights into the relationship between a dog’s brain size and behavior, the researchers are eager to explore it further. Their next step is to examine different dog breeds’ brain forms and functions. This is especially true for those related to higher-level cognitive tasks, to understand their varying abilities better.

While a Dog’s Brain size relative to body size isn’t always a sign of intelligence, but the connection found in these studies are intriguing. Humans perceive a dog as being ‘smart’ to being trainable or obedient. The opposite may be true. If a dog could experience a broader range of emotions, such as separation anxiety. It would make sense for the dog to be less trainable and go against its perceived best interest.

advertisement