[Dailydrool] CBS Early Show says Bassets stupidest dog

[Dan Hickey]

Not so, the poor Afghan is rated the bottom dog. The Basset was 10th
from the bottom. This is about 8 or 9 higher than I have seen on others
of these tests.

The problem is not the dumb dogs. It is the dumb tests and the even
dumber reporters. Most dog "intelligence tests" are designed to show
responsiveness to human control. Bassets could care less most of the
time. They also show response to irritation. One often used test is to
throw a towel over a dog's head and measure how long it takes them to
get it off. Do that to a Boarder Collie and they go nuts, it's off
instantly. Do the same to a Basset in repose and they may not care at
all. A test for irritability, yes, intelligence, no.

Dan Hickey