Dogs are one of the most behaviorally diverse species, and selective breeding has shaped not only their morphology but also their cognitive abilities. Junttila and colleagues (2022) tested 1,002 dogs across 13 breeds using a standardized battery of cognitive and behavioral tasks.
Significant breed differences emerged in understanding human communicative gestures, inhibitory control (ability to resist impulses), and spatial problem-solving using a V-shaped detour task. Breeds also varied in persistence and human-directed behavior during unsolvable tasks, as well as in activity levels and responses to unfamiliar people and environments.
Interestingly, no breed differences were found in memory or logical reasoning tasks, suggesting that while some cognitive traits have been shaped by diversifying artificial selection, others remain consistent across breeds. This highlights how functional roles and historical selection pressures may have influenced the cognitive specializations seen today.
These findings offer a deeper understanding of breed-specific cognitive traits, with implications for training, welfare, and the dog–human bond. Recognizing such differences may help tailor approaches to breed-specific needs in working roles and companion care.
Source: Junttila, S., Valros, A., Mäki, K., Väätäjä, H., Reunanen, E., & Tiira, K. (2022). Breed differences in social cognition, inhibitory control, and spatial problem-solving ability in the domestic dog (Canis familiaris). Scientific Reports, 12. Published December 1, 2022.
