Are Landseers more intelligent?

[Richie]

Someone once told me that a Newfie will bring you the newspaper, but a Landseer will read it first.

I chalked it up to an old wives tale -- I'm sure all Newfies are intelligent but I've got to tell you, Oso must have a larger vocabulary than my two year old niece LOL!

There are certain words we have started to spell in front of him -- well, yesterday, while talking to my husband I spelled out T - R - U- C - K and, I swear to you, the bugger went to the door!

Could it be!

 

[Lisa@Caeles Hills]

Maybe, but surely not as smart as a Golden Retriever. Mine can spell almost anything and knows all his toys by name and color.:nod: Rafe can only spell F A R M and just steals toys, he doesnt care what their names are.

 

[BluwaterNewfs]

We have been spelling in front of my newfs for years. Mine are all blacks!

If I go to the cabinet to take a glass or mug, they know when I take a glass, they come running for ie cubes. they know I don't put ice in my mug.

 

[Abbey]

ABBEY, my Irish spotted is quick as a whip, where as Zeke, my Landseer is just an easy going, laid back, Loveable Mr. Know-it-all. Let me explain that better........Abbey will watch and learn, picking things up really fast, where as Zeke just seems to Know It without really teaching him anything. Weird aren't they?

 

[ardeagold]

Our Landseer Molly is smart...and sneaky. But I think that's a personality trait, not a sign of intelligence. :lol:

Mira (Black, Landseer recessive) is smart...but her intelligence is more like "street smarts". She's an imaginative, creative girl.

Addie (Black) is of average intelligence. She learns quickly, however, what to do to get her way.

Chance (Black) is so laid back, I'm not sure if he's GOT a brain. But I know he's got a nose for food!! If it's edible....he'll figure out how to get a bite. Usually by looking forlorn with those big brown eyes.

Cole (Pure Black) is already learning to spell at 18 mos. He's also learned that I'm not to be allowed out the door without him. I have to sneak out. He knows how to spell CAR, TREATS, WALK, or maybe he can just ready body language REALLY well! :lol:

Some of our Goldens (the field bred ones, especially) are very very smart. I don't need to spell anything. I only need to point. The others are dumb as dirt...literally.

Our Am Bulldog is deaf...so she's learned how to be smart enough just to ignore us.

Our Lab is pretty smart. She's also a mind reader. Never have to say a word.

The smartest dog we have, hands down, is our Toller, Lucy. She's SO smart it's scary. She thinks, plans, and executes....all in a matter of 10 seconds or less. You've gotta be quick to catch her before the execute stage sets in!!! LOL

 

[R Taft]

If you want smart you should own a golden retreiver cross border collie. She spells backwards :lol: and talks and can tell the difference between species of birds. She is NOT allowed to chase parrots, magpies and our fowl (ducks and chickens)..........You are allowed to chase sparrows, butcher birds and wild ducks. And she really knows the difference, and has a hoot chasing the permitted birds. And at training she is just the quickest learner, if she sees another dog do a new thing she will just do it. Well, now our dearest Annabelle hmmmm, we need a bit of help sometimes, but we get it right once we have it forever. I have never owned a Landseer, but my friend has them and to me it seems only that they get into more mischief and therefore more trouble and i am not sure if that is cleverer........

 

[noblenewf]

The smartest dog we have, hands down, is our Toller, Lucy. She's SO smart it's scary. She thinks, plans, and executes....all in a matter of 10 seconds or less. You've gotta be quick to catch her before the execute stage sets in!!! LOL

Donna! You just described my Murphy to a T! I don't call him "Mr. Smarty Pants" for nothin'!

 

[ladybugnessa]

Bagel my newf mix could open a door with a round doorknob.... with his paws.... he was black...

 

[Brody the Newf]

Brody is a Landseer and lets just say he isn't the sharpest knife in the drawer. Poor boy.

 

[4ondafloor]

Brody is a Landseer and lets just say he isn't the sharpest knife in the drawer. Poor boy.

Ahhhh but he more than makes up for it being the looker that he is...

 

[TinaM]

I think all dogs are smart -- it is the people that need training!

 

[ina/puusty]

...............baboommmmm.... ina n HB n Kesa

 

[Brody the Newf]

I think all dogs are smart -- it is the people that need training!

That must really be it. When Brody can't figure something simple out, it is my fault.

Funny, my last dog was as smart as a whip did that mean I was an amazing trainer?

 

[ina/puusty]

Given the broadly assorted genetics involved with all our furkids..then add-in..the distractions of urban living, the family dynamics, the sensory feeds..that may/may not be..in-the-mix..only living with each and every furkid..will show the way. I have seen totally dumb dogs..over bred..and..under stimulated by near by nature. I have had to live near..the scent-hounds..and their lack of any evaluative ability..pure track and kill..in their makeup. Enjoy the trip with Brody. Each of our 'kids'..informs us..in many ways..on our journey. Gentle HB has done much to 'bring me along'..Kesa wants everything 'her way..and NOW'!..so it is..a magnificent experiment..as we trot off..into the day..each and every day. ina n HB n Kesa

 

[RhodyNewf]

Morgan is really smart. She is black and has excellent problem solving skills. She is really good at training me and communicates better then some people.

Gidget...also black....shhhhhhh please dont tell her I said so....is dumb. She had a different upbringing and came to me at 7 which I am sure has something to do with it....but in the 2 years I have had her she has learned sit. Thats it. And she will only do it for food. Sometimes.

Finley my golden in not smart, but learns quickly and needs few repetitions to remember a task. He is busy and clumsy and always getting into trouble.

 

[janices]

That must really be it. When Brody can't figure something simple out, it is my fault.

Funny, my last dog was as smart as a whip did that mean I was an amazing trainer?

Each newf is an individual with their own personality. Training that works with one may not work with another. I don't train Brooke the same way I train Molly. Dogs are opportunistic, which means when you're not training them they're training you. :whistling: I know Molly's not dumb. She picks up everything Brooke does and goes around the house doing the same thing. I take more time in training with her because it's needed and she's very soft, discourages easily. What works with Brooke doesn't work with Molly. Brooke picks stuff up, is inventive, learns it, then does it her way, is a problem solver. Brooke's puppy headstart training was different. Sometimes it's the training, sometimes it's the environment, learning environment as a really young puppy that makes the difference as they grow, plus each personality. If you convince yourself your dog is dumb, then your attitude filters down the leash, and nothing gets accomplished training wise in the long run. The more you learn about training the more you learn how to adapt training for each dog that shares their time with you.

 

[zennewf]

I've had four black newfies now and three out of four were preternaturally intelligent. One... who shall remain nameless but is no longer living ... was a little slow. Like not much going on. Didn't mean I didn't love her to peices.

When I began looking for a newfoundland earlier this year, our main criteria (assuming that sweetness is a given in this breed) was indeed intelligence.

We just have more fun and interaction with a bright dog.

Liz

 

[Brody the Newf]

Each newf is an individual with their own personality. Training that works with one may not work with another. I don't train Brooke the same way I train Molly. Dogs are opportunistic, which means when you're not training them they're training you. :whistling: I know Molly's not dumb. She picks up everything Brooke does and goes around the house doing the same thing. I take more time in training with her because it's needed and she's very soft, discourages easily. What works with Brooke doesn't work with Molly. Brooke picks stuff up, is inventive, learns it, then does it her way, is a problem solver. Brooke's puppy headstart training was different. Sometimes it's the training, sometimes it's the environment, learning environment as a really young puppy that makes the difference as they grow, plus each personality. If you convince yourself your dog is dumb, then your attitude filters down the leash, and nothing gets accomplished training wise in the long run. The more you learn about training the more you learn how to adapt training for each dog that shares their time with you.

For the record, I was joking. Brody knows his commands and words like "car", "thirsty", "hungry" and "dinner." His goal in life is to play and that is OK, he isn't expected to be a brainiac.