The Intelligence of Dogs - by Stanley Coren (Paperback)

About the Book

Combining heroic stories of dogs with the latest scientific and psychological information, this book has provoked controversy with its lists that rank more than 100 breeds and its exciting new insights into the thoughts, emotions, and inner lives of dogs.

Book Synopsis

Do dogs of different breeds differ in intelligence? How well do they understand human language, and do they have a language of their own which humans can learn to understand? Do dogs have memories of things past and images or anticipations of things to come? Do they have feelings such as guilt, loyalty, and protectiveness or even simple emotions such as joy and sorrow? Or are these human terms for entirely different animal behaviors? In The Intelligence of Dogs, the renowned psychologist and award-winning dog trainer Stanley Coren gives us the most compelling and comprehensive picture to date of the canine mind and how it works. Coren shows how a dog's mental abilities are shaped by his genetic makeup and the forces of evolution in operation. While we might like to believe that all dogs' minds think alike, Coren clearly show that different breeds differ radically in their working intelligence - their ability to understand and follow human commands. In an impressive summary of research, Coren ranks 133 breeds, revealing which dogs are the brightest and which are the most limited in their working intelligence. Although different breeds do differ dramatically in their levels of intelligence, the author is quick to point out that there is great variability within breeds and that a dog's particular personality strongly affects its trainability. To that end, Coren provides an IQ test that readers can use to test their pet's intelligence. Coren also explains how, by changing certain factors such as training conditions and diet, one can actually raise a dog's IQ. Finally, Coren dramatically demonstrates that dogs have a much richer and more sophisticated language than we imagined. Taking usinto the world of dog communication, Coren explains how dogs use a varied and intricate set of sounds, facial expressions and body postures to communicate with other canines, and he shows readers how to interpret these signs in order to understand their dog better. The Intelligence

Review Quotes

"A fascinating account of the history of dogs and their intelligence. Well researched and highly informative, as well as entertaining. A real treat for dog lovers."

-- Jack Volard, award-winning author of books on dog behavior and internationally known trainer of dog trainers

"A great book...a comprehensive history [with] congenial interweaving of anecdote and analysis."

-- The Washington Post Book World

"Everyone thinks that their own dog is brilliant. Coren has written an intriguing study that will help dog owners to gauge realistically their own dog's intelligence."

-- Kirkus Reviews