According to an interesting article in today’s Daily Telegraph newspaper, new research is suggesting cross breed dogs are smarter than their pedigreed counterparts:

A study by Dr David Smith of Aberdeen University’s department of animal sciences shows that crossbred dogs have better spatial awareness and problem-solving abilities than pedigrees, and are better suited for work as police dogs and as guides for the blind.

The study involved putting 100 dogs through seven tests and giving each a mark out of 30.

A collie-spaniel cross called Jet was the brightest dog, scoring maximum points, while seven out of the top 10 performing dogs were crossbreeds.

Dr Smith said: “Being a purebred does not improve the intelligence. The risk of medical problems among crossbreeds is also significantly lower.

“Crossbreeding a German shepherd with a rottweiler, for instance, would produce as good a police dog as a purebred German shepherd.”

Matthew Bottomley, the breeding manager of the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association, said: “That’s interesting because we are finding that, statistically, crossbreeds make better guide dogs.”

SOURCE: The Telegraph

For those of us who believe in the notion that a dog, is a dog, is a dog, this article will not come as a great surprise. Pedigree, cross breed, this breed, that breed. They’re all the same species ultimately. Sometimes we’re quick to forget.

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