Icelandic Sheepdog vs Sussex Spaniel IQ Comparison

Side-by-side IQ profile

The Cosmic Pet Pet IQ Lab assesses five key cognitive dimensions, and both the Icelandic Sheepdog and the Sussex Spaniel register a solid 3/5 across the board. While the numerical scores are identical, their historical roles mean these capabilities are expressed in distinct, breed-specific ways.

For the Icelandic Sheepdog, a Herding breed: Problem Solving (3/5) reflects a moderate capacity for independent thought and finding solutions, particularly pertinent to managing livestock and navigating varied terrains. Training Speed (3/5) suggests they pick up new commands and routines at a steady, average pace, requiring consistent but not excessive repetition. Social Intelligence (3/5) indicates a moderate ability to interpret and respond to the emotional states and intentions of humans and other animals, vital for harmonious flock and family integration. Instinctive Drive (3/5) points to a moderate but persistent innate inclination towards their herding behaviors, such as gathering, moving, and protecting. Memory (3/5) shows a solid capability to recall learned behaviors, routines, and spatial information over time, useful for retaining complex herding patterns.

For the Sussex Spaniel, a Sporting breed: Problem Solving (3/5) denotes a moderate aptitude for figuring out challenges, which for a spaniel might involve locating game, navigating dense cover, or understanding complex scent trails. Training Speed (3/5) is similar to the Icelandic Sheepdog, meaning they learn at a moderate pace, making them trainable with patience and consistency. Social Intelligence (3/5) suggests a moderate capacity for understanding human cues and intentions, crucial for a close working partnership with a hunter or a companion in a family setting. Instinctive Drive (3/5) highlights a moderate, but purposeful, innate inclination towards their sporting roles, such as flushing game, tracking scents, and retrieving. Memory (3/5) indicates a good ability to remember scent patterns, learned commands, and the locations of retrieved items. Additionally, the Sussex Spaniel holds a Coren rank of #62. This ranking places them in the category of “average working/obedience intelligence,” signifying that they generally understand new commands in 25-40 repetitions and obey on the first command 50% of the time or more, reflecting their biddability and consistency in traditional obedience tasks.

Where Icelandic Sheepdog wins cognitively

Despite identical 3/5 scores, the Icelandic Sheepdog's cognitive strengths shine particularly in autonomous decision-making within dynamic, fluid environments. Their Problem Solving at 3/5, when applied to herding, means they can independently assess changing flock movements or potential threats and react appropriately without constant human direction. This isn't about rote obedience but about adaptive, on-the-spot solutions. Their Instinctive Drive, also 3/5, is finely tuned for the subtle art of livestock management, allowing them to anticipate and influence animal behavior using their presence and movement. This cognitive advantage translates into a dog that can read and respond to environmental cues with a degree of self-reliance that is a hallmark of effective herding dogs, making them adept at tasks requiring initiative and nuanced interaction with their charges. Their Social Intelligence at 3/5 extends beyond humans to a keen awareness of other animals, enabling them to maintain order within a flock.

Where Sussex Spaniel wins cognitively

The Sussex Spaniel's cognitive triumphs are rooted in its dedication to partnership and methodical application of its senses. While also scoring 3/5 in Problem Solving, their strength lies in systematic, persistent investigation, particularly through scent. A Sussex Spaniel excels at meticulously working cover, using its nose to unravel complex scent puzzles to locate hidden game, a task demanding focused attention and a sequential problem-solving approach. Their 3/5 Instinctive Drive is channeled into a persistent, ground-covering search pattern, driven by an unwavering desire to fulfill their role in the hunt. This persistence, combined with their moderate Training Speed (3/5) and a Coren rank of #62, signifies a breed capable of learning and consistently executing specialized tasks. Their Social Intelligence (3/5) is geared towards understanding and cooperating with their handler, making them highly receptive to direction and working in tandem. This focused, cooperative cognitive style makes them exceptional at tasks requiring steady application and teamwork, rather than independent flock management.

Which is easier to train and why

Evaluating ease of training between these two breeds requires understanding the context of “training.” The Sussex Spaniel, with its Coren rank of #62, generally exhibits a more straightforward path for traditional obedience. This rank suggests they require a moderate number of repetitions to grasp new commands and, once learned, are reasonably consistent in their responses. Their sporting heritage predisposes them to working cooperatively with a handler, often motivated by positive reinforcement and a desire to please. Their Instinctive Drive (3/5) is channelled into a methodical search and flush, which can be harnessed and refined through consistent training.

The Icelandic Sheepdog, while also scoring 3/5 in Training Speed, presents a different training dynamic. As a herding breed, they possess an innate drive (3/5) for independent decision-making and problem-solving related to livestock. This means while they are willing partners, their attention might be more easily drawn to environmental stimuli they perceive as “work,” potentially requiring more creative and engaging training methods to maintain focus on human-initiated commands. Their Problem Solving (3/5) makes them capable learners, but their independence might mean they question commands more or attempt to find alternative solutions. Therefore, while both are trainable, the Sussex Spaniel's historical role as a close working partner in the field often translates to a more inherently biddable and consistently obedient dog in a traditional training setting, whereas the Icelandic Sheepdog might require an owner who understands and channels their independent herding intellect effectively.

Which suits active owners vs relaxed owners

The Icelandic Sheepdog, with its herding background and 3/5 instinctive drive, thrives with owners who can provide consistent mental engagement and a moderate to high level of physical activity. They are not necessarily marathon runners, but they need “jobs” – whether it's herding, agility, rally, or complex puzzle toys and long, stimulating walks. Their Problem Solving (3/5) means they benefit from tasks that challenge their minds, preventing boredom which can manifest as undesirable behaviors. They suit active, engaged owners who enjoy training and providing purpose. A relaxed owner who cannot fulfill these needs might find an Icelandic Sheepdog restless and prone to creating their own “work,” which might not align with household rules.

The Sussex Spaniel, while a sporting breed, generally falls into the category of moderately active dogs. Their 3/5 instinctive drive is expressed through methodical scent work and flushing, which means they enjoy regular walks, opportunities for sniffing, and perhaps some light retrieving or tracking games. They are not typically high-energy dogs that require constant, intense exertion, but they do need daily exercise to stay content and healthy. Their moderate Problem Solving (3/5) means they appreciate engaging activities but aren't constantly seeking out complex mental challenges as some herding breeds might. They can suit owners who enjoy consistent, moderate daily activity and a devoted companion for walks and garden exploration. While not a couch potato, they are more adaptable to a slightly more relaxed pace than the Icelandic Sheepdog, provided their exercise needs are met.

The Verdict