Trainability of Kerry Blues
by Lisa Frankland

This article first appreared in the May/June 1994 issue of Kerry Klips.

Compared to What?
Has anyone not heard about Stanley Coren's controversial new book, The Intelligence of Dogs? In it, Coren ranks 133 breeds of dog according to their ability to learn owner-pleasing behavior, based on the opinions of obedience judges. According to an article we saw, Kerries were ranked 35th out of the 79 ranks (many breeds tied for ranks). Not a bad showing, overall. Number one was (no big surprise) Border Collies, while last place, making them the ultimate "dumb blondes," went to Afghan Hounds. An English Bulldog owner in Colorado Springs, noting that his breed is 77th, said that if his dog can get an obedience title, anybody can! And a Pekingese fancier in Indiana, who noted the 73rd placement for her breed, claimed that a Pekingese is simply too intelligent to train!

The Trainability of Terriers
12. Miniature Schnauzer
27. Yorkshire Terrier
29. Airedale Terrier
30. Border Terrier
32. Manchester Terrier
34. Australian Terrier
     Am. Staffordshire Terrier
35. Cairn Terrier
     Kerry Blue Terrier
37. Silky Terrier
38. Norwich Terrier
40. Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier
     Bedlington Terrier
     Fox Terrier (Smooth)
47. West Highland White Terrier
49. Staffordshire Bull Terrier
51. Fox Terrier (Wire)
53. Welsh Terrier
     Irish Terrier
54. Boston Terrier
55. Skye Terrier
56. Norfolk Terrier
     Sealyham Terrier
62. Dandie Dinmont Terrier
     Lakeland Terrier
65. Scottish Terrier
66. Bull Terrier

Last Updated: 12/19/2002, 4:16 pm