Are beagles smart dogs?

Are beagles smart dogs?

Yes! Beagles are smart dogs, just not in the way you might think. Did you know that there’s actually a dog IQ test? While beagles rank past around the 130th place for this dog intelligence test, in reality, this test only tests for obedience. 

Beagles are actually incredibly intelligent physically and mentally, but their occasional stubbornness doesn’t lend themselves to being incredibly obedient, which likely skews the dog IQ test results.  

In this article, we’ll explore: 

By the end of this guide, you’ll know everything you need to know about beagle intelligence. 

Beagle intelligence 

Beagles have a high adaptive IQ and are able to learn from their past. This means that while they may not pick up on a new skill immediately, they will draw from their previous experiences in learning that skill. 

They’re also highly physically intelligent. Beagles were bred centuries ago to be hunting dogs. They are adept at picking up a scent and following through, with great stealth and agility, in locating their prey. While other animals may be bred to be guard dogs, show dogs, or to herd sheep, dogs that were bred to hunt develop physical abilities and agility that greatly demonstrates their intelligence. 

Why Beagles score low on the dog IQ test

Unfortunately, being physically gifted and being able to learn from their mistakes are two intelligence factors that are not measured in the standard dog IQ test. This test focuses on: 

• The number of times it takes a dog to learn a new command. 
• The success rate the dog attains in doing said command on the first try. 

Just like memorizing for a standardized test (like the SAT or ACT in the United States) and being able to spit those answers out on test day is one certain type of intelligence in humans, this dog IQ test does not account for all types of intelligence. Many people who score poorly on standardized tests go on to great success and are highly intelligent in other areas of their lives. Similarly, although beagles don’t do well on the dog intelligence test, they are intelligent, just in a way the test can not measure. 

Another caveat to the test is that some dogs (and similarly some humans) are simply bad at test taking. Perhaps because beagles suffer from separation anxiety more than the average dog breed, they were excessively anxious during test taking. It’s hard to know without analyzing the test methodology in great detail. 

Basically: don’t let the beagle’s low test score dissuade you from getting one or from thinking your pet is not smart. 

Improving your beagle’s intelligence 

That being said, intelligence is malleable and it can grow. Humans can get more intelligent and so can dogs. Here are some easy things you can do to increase your beagle’s smarts: 

• Get them puzzle toys to solve. This works their brain and problem solving skills. It’s also great for them when you leave them home alone, so they’re distracted. 
• Get them a slow feeder. This is sort of a puzzle in itself. Although its purpose is to slow down dog’s gulping food down too quickly, it also serves as a mental test for your beagle. Bonus: because beagles always appear hungry, this feeder helps because the slower they eat, the better for their appetite and satiety. 
• Get them an interactive play mat. You can play hide and side with your beagle with this mat, and hide treats within. It becomes a brain game for them to figure out how to get what they want.  

Best practices for owning a beagle 

Keeping your beagle healthy is essential in preserving and expanding on their intelligence. Follow these principles to keep them healthy and happy: 

1. Exercise 

Keep your beagle well exercised – this is vital for their energy levels, fitness, and mental health. Adult beagles should get at least two walks a day. 

2. Mental fitness

Make sure your dog is getting mental stimulation as well. It’s also good for their mental health and sharpness, and overall emotional health. Get them some puzzles to play with while you’re gone. This helps reduce laziness and boredom. Also make sure to practice commands with them and that they are socializing with new dogs and humans every few days. 

3. Diet 

Feed your beagle high quality dog kibble to keep their energy up. High quality food provides a great return on your investment, as you can’t put a price on your beagle’s good health. While the cheaper dog food might be tempting, you’ll pay for it down the line in expensive health problems that come up as a consequence of their poor diet. 

4. Training 

Use a system of rewards to teach your beagle to behave well. If they are growling or misbehaving, put them in a crate or in a dog bed in a separate room, and when they do a trick properly, give them a treat. This teaches them what behaviors are good and what behaviors are bad. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ): Are beagles smart dogs?

What dog has the highest IQ?

According to the test, Border Collies have the highest IQ, followed by dogs including the poodle and german shepherd. 

Are beagles good house dogs?

Yes! Beagles make great house and apartment dogs. Check out our full guide to that very topic here.

What is the most loyal dog?

It’s hard to definitively measure dog loyalty, but dog breeds known for their loyalty include: beagles, german shepherds, golden retrievers, border collies, and great pyrenees. 

What is the most obedient dog?

Since the dog intelligence test is based on obedience, many of the “most obedient” dogs are also ones that scored highly on the dog intelligence test: border collies, poodles, german shepherds, golden retrievers, labradors, and papillons. 

What’s the hardest dog to train?

Some of the hardest dogs to train are those that make great guard dogs, like: rottweilers, bullmastiffs, pit bulls, and Siberian huskies. 

Are beagles hard to train?

Beagles are high energy with hunting instincts. While they may be initially hard to train, they are intelligent and respond well to routine and proper training. Read our article on training beagles here.

Who has a higher IQ, cats or dogs?

Dogs have twice the number of neurons in their brains as cats do, which suggests they are more intelligent. However, it’s hard to measure exactly as cats are better at certain tasks and dogs are better at others. Dogs likely have a higher IQ but that doesn’t mean they’re smarter than cats in every regard. 

What is the smartest animal in the world?

Interestingly, an orangutan! 

Are beagles strong?

While beagles are agile and loyal, they aren’t known for being exceptionally strong. 

Are beagles loyal?

Yes! Beagles are immensely loyal pack animals who will be protective of you and your family. 

Recap: Are beagles smart dogs?

• Although beagles scored around 130 on the traditional dog intelligence test, there are many reasons why. 
• Beagles are smart, just not in ways the test can measure. 
• There are things you can do to improve your beagle’s intelligence! 

Bagels sometimes get a bad rep, leading people to wonder – “Why Beagles Are The Worst Dogs?” However, despite not scoring high on the dog IQ test, they are lovable, cuddly and smart pets that are worth having. 

Related articles: 

• Are beagles good with cats?
• Do beagles like to cuddle? 
• Best collar for beagles
• Best harness for beagles 
• Best beagle bed