Every dog owner has heard the jokes. Bulldogs are lazy, Beagles never listen, and Afghan Hounds are all looks and no brains. The label of dumbest dog breeds gets thrown around a lot, but the story behind it is more interesting than a simple insult.
These rankings trace back to psychologist Dr. Stanley Coren, whose research became the go-to reference for how trainable a breed is. The eight dogs on this list all belong to the same species, Canis lupus familiaris, yet they landed at the bottom of his obedience scale for reasons that have almost nothing to do with brainpower and everything to do with independence, instinct, and a healthy dose of stubbornness.
Here is how the eight lowest-ranked breeds stack up, according to Coren’s classic study.
| Coren Rank | Breed | Repetitions Needed to Learn a New Command |
|---|---|---|
| 71 | Basset Hound | 80–100+ |
| 72 | Beagle (tied with Mastiff) | 80–100+ |
| 73 | Pekingese | 80–100+ |
| 75 | Borzoi | 80–100+ |
| 76 | Chow Chow | 80–100+ |
| 77 | Bulldog | 80–100+ |
| 78 | Basenji | 80–100+ |
| 79 | Afghan Hound | 80–100+ |
According to the Wikipedia summary of Coren’s book, dogs in this bottom tier need 80 to 100 repetitions or more to understand a new command, and obey the first command 25% of the time or worse. That sounds rough until you realize the test measures obedience, not the sharp instincts these breeds were actually bred for.
1. Afghan Hound
The Afghan Hound tops the list of “dumbest dog breeds” according to The Intelligence of Dogs, but Afghan lovers surely disagree. This regal-looking dog with the flowing coat sits at rank 79, dead last on Coren’s obedience scale, but its story is really about a mismatch between what the test measures and what the breed was built to do. Afghans are sighthounds, which means they were bred to hunt using their extraordinary speed and eyesight. During Coren’s testing, researchers determined that it took them repeating new commands an average of 80 times before the Afghan Hound caught on. That is not a memory problem so much as a priorities problem.
Like many sighthounds, Afghans can be aloof, which means they can be a little standoffish and reserved, especially with strangers, and they can also be stubborn and independent. Anyone who has watched footage of an Afghan Hound spotting movement across a field understands why obedience drills rank low on its priority list. If you’re drawn to dogs with this kind of dramatic coat, the long-haired dog breeds known for similar grooming demands make an interesting comparison.
Pro Tip: Afghan Hounds respond better to short, high-value training sessions than repetitive drilling. Their independent streak means they need a reason to cooperate, not just repetition.
2. Basenji
The Basenji earns its reputation partly through a trait that has nothing to do with intelligence: it barely barks. Popularly known as barkless dogs, Basenjis are thought to be dumb because of their untrainable behavior and non-barking nature, but they are clever, inquisitive and follow their own instincts. Coren’s data backs up the “instinct over instruction” theory. According to the author of one analysis of the ranking, the Basenji is the second least intelligent dog breed, yet it surprisingly holds the first position in the list of “following the first request” when it decides a command is actually worth obeying.
This ancient African hunting breed is also known for being remarkably low-maintenance in the grooming department, which is why it often shows up on lists of the low-shedding dog breeds that suit apartment living. Basenjis are also one of the oldest dog breeds still recognized today, earning them a spot among the rarest dog breeds in terms of genetic distinctiveness.
3. Bulldog
The English Bulldog’s reputation as slow and lazy doesn’t tell the whole story. Coren’s research regards the English Bulldog as the third dumbest among dog breeds, yet the American Kennel Club sees things differently. While the American Kennel Club classes Bulldogs as quite trainable, you only have to look at one of the famous skateboarding or surfing Bulldogs to see that they are definitely capable of learning. What actually holds Bulldogs back on obedience tests is temperament, not comprehension. Bulldogs are pretty stubborn and learn only a few commands by choice rather than by inability.
Bulldogs also carry a working history that gets overlooked. Bulldogs are courageous, fearless, and protective, and their athletic body makes them an excellent guard dog. That combination of stubbornness and courage is exactly why this breed also shows up in conversations about the most dangerous dog breeds, even though most household Bulldogs are famously gentle with kids.
4. Chow Chow
The Chow Chow’s lion-like mane and aloof expression hide a working history most owners never think about. Chow Chows might look like adorable teddy bears, but they are not always the cuddly type, having originally been bred to be guard dogs, hunters, or pulling dogs. Chows are serious, independent, and aloof, strong-willed and stubborn, and therefore more difficult to train, which lands them a spot on the list of dumbest dog breeds. Coren himself put it bluntly during his testing period. He noted there is probably furniture out there that is more trainable than Chows, a line that has followed the breed ever since.
One detail worth mentioning for anyone shopping by coat color: Chow Chows are among the larger black dog breeds available in the United States, since the breed’s dense double coat comes in solid black as well as red, cinnamon, blue, and cream. That striking all-black coat, paired with the breed’s dignified, one-owner temperament, is part of why Chow Chows remain a recognizable presence at dog shows despite their reputation for stubbornness. Chows are intelligent; they just have minds of their own, which is why they require firm but positive training and extensive socialization starting from an early age.
Pro Tip: Start socializing a Chow Chow puppy immediately. This breed’s independence gets harder to redirect the longer it goes unaddressed.
5. Borzoi
The Borzoi shares more with the Afghan Hound than just a resemblance. With a similar build to the Afghan, the Borzoi is fastidious over personal hygiene, so one of the reasons that it can come across as being dumb is that it spends a lot of time preening and grooming itself instead of paying attention to a handler. This Russian sighthound was bred to chase down wolves across open terrain, a job that rewards split-second visual tracking over verbal command comprehension. It is the same story told throughout this list: a nose-to-the-ground or eyes-on-the-horizon instinct that simply doesn’t map onto sit-stay-come obedience drills. Owners who love the sighthound silhouette but want a smaller commitment sometimes look at the teacup dog breeds instead, though nothing quite matches the Borzoi’s elegant scale.
6. Pekingese
The Pekingese carries centuries of imperial history in its tiny frame. The Pekingese is a small dog with long flowing fur and was originally bred as a companion dog in China, with its legacy dating back to the 8th century, when they were carried around by their owners, earning them the term “sleeve dogs”. That pampered heritage may explain the breed’s laid-back attitude toward obedience work. Pekingese have a sloth-like personality, making them look dumb and lazy, and their relaxed and laid-back attitude can make training a challenge. Some Pekingese also carry a solid black coat, placing them among the small black dog breeds that pop up in Chinese imperial art going back over a thousand years.
Small size and a stubborn streak can be a tricky combination for new owners expecting instant obedience. Coren’s data shows the Pekingese landing at rank 73, needing the same 80-plus repetitions as the other breeds on this list to master something new.
7. Basset Hound
The Basset Hound’s short legs and long ears are built for one job: following a scent trail, no matter what else is happening around it. Basset Hounds rank #71 in Coren’s classification, placing them in the Lowest category for working and obedience intelligence, the highest position among the eight breeds on this list, but still firmly at the bottom of the pack. Scenthounds like Basset Hounds, Beagles, and Bloodhounds can sniff out almost anything, which explains why a Basset Hound mid-scent will happily ignore its name being called from three feet away. That nose simply outranks every other signal coming in.
Anyone who has watched a Basset Hound lock onto a trail understands the disconnect between “doesn’t listen” and “isn’t smart.” The breed’s scenting ability rivals dedicated tracking dogs, a specialty that has nothing to do with sit-and-stay commands.
8. Beagle
The Beagle rounds out this list as one of America’s most popular family dogs, which makes its spot here surprising to a lot of owners. We’ve all heard the stereotypes: “Bulldogs are lazy,” “Afghan Hounds have nothing going on upstairs,” and “Beagles never listen”, but the reality is more nuanced than any one-liner suggests. Border Collies are widely considered the world’s smartest dog breed, with the Poodle coming in close second, and if some breeds are the smartest, it only makes sense that some are the dumbest. Beagles land in that second group largely because their scenting drive overrides everything else, the same trait that made them such effective hunting companions for centuries.
Canine behaviorist Dr. Nicholas Dodman offers a useful reframe on this whole conversation. He notes that it might be easy to superficially judge a dog who is not that interested in performing tricks, but it doesn’t mean they’re not smart, and in some ways, being very independent could be more intelligent than being obedient. That perspective applies as much to the Beagle in a backyard chasing a scent trail as it does to any breed on this list.
Pro Tip: Beagles train best with scent-based games and food rewards. Channel that nose into structured activities like nose-work classes instead of fighting against it.
For families weighing a Beagle against other options, it helps to compare temperament and exercise needs against breeds built for a different job entirely, like the herding dog breeds that were selected for constant handler focus.
What the Rankings Actually Mean
Coren’s methodology deserves a closer look before anyone writes off these eight breeds. Dr. Stanley Coren, a professor of psychology at the University of British Columbia, surveyed 208 dog obedience judges and analyzed AKC obedience trial records to rank 138 dog breeds by working intelligence and obedience. That is a specific, narrow measure, not a general IQ test. Even the American Kennel Club pushes back on treating this list as gospel. Gina DiNardo, who serves as assistant executive secretary and assistant vice president for the American Kennel Club, says it’s important to look at other traits rather than just focusing on ease of training as a benchmark. Canine psychologist perspectives echo this too, noting that breeds bred for scenting, sighthunting, or independent guard work were never selected for the kind of quick obedience compliance the test measures.
Psychology researchers who study the rankings put it plainly. While a smart dog will learn everything you want it to know, it will also learn everything it can get away with, meaning you may have to spend much more time “civilizing” your clever dog so that it learns the limits of behavior. In that light, a Basenji that ignores a repeated command isn’t failing a test; it’s applying judgment.
Living With a “Dumb” Dog Breed
None of the eight breeds above need pity, and none of them are actually dumb in any meaningful sense. What they share is a working history that prioritized independent decision-making over constant human direction, whether that meant tracking prey by scent, spotting movement across open terrain, or guarding a household without waiting for instructions. For new owners considering one of these breeds, a few practical adjustments make daily life smoother:
- Lead with motivation, not repetition — food, play, or scent games work better than drilling the same command dozens of times.
- Respect the instinct that shaped the breed — a scenthound needs nose work, a sighthound needs visual stimulation, and a guard breed needs a job.
- Start socialization early — independent breeds like the Chow Chow and Afghan Hound benefit enormously from exposure to new people and situations as puppies.
- Keep training sessions short — five focused minutes beat thirty frustrating ones for breeds that lose interest quickly.
Curious owners exploring nutrition basics for any of these breeds can check which produce items are safe treats in this guide to fruits dogs can eat. And if a Basset Hound or Beagle in the household has ever spun in circles chasing its own tail mid-scent-trail, the behavioral explanation behind why dogs chase their tails is worth a quick read too.
Final Thoughts on the Dumbest Dog Breeds
The eight breeds on Coren’s list, from the Afghan Hound at the very bottom to the food-driven, scent-obsessed Beagle, share a common thread: they were bred for jobs that reward instinct over instruction. Calling them the dumbest dog breeds says more about a narrow definition of intelligence than it does about the dogs themselves. Anyone drawn to an independent-minded companion should walk in with realistic expectations about training timelines and a willingness to work with the breed’s instincts rather than against them. For a broader look at how other pets stack up on similar reputations, the list of dumbest cat breeds covers many of the same misunderstood personality traits, and readers curious about feline personalities that mirror canine loyalty might also enjoy this piece on cat breeds that act like dogs.