Side-by-Side IQ Profile: Old English Sheepdog
The Old English Sheepdog (OES), ranking #44 on Coren’s scale, presents a balanced cognitive profile geared towards cooperative work. Their Problem Solving is rated 3/5, indicating an aptitude for navigating complex situations, particularly those involving movement and group management within a herding context. This isn't about abstract puzzles, but practical, adaptive thinking to achieve a goal.
Their Training Speed also stands at 3/5, suggesting they are capable learners who absorb commands and routines at a steady pace, requiring consistent methods rather than lightning-fast repetition. Social Intelligence, at 3/5, reflects their ability to understand and respond to human cues, forming strong bonds within their family unit, crucial for a working partnership. The Instinctive Drive, also 3/5, is specifically channeled towards their herding heritage, manifesting as a desire to gather and manage, often extending to family members or other pets. Where the OES truly stands out is in Memory, earning a 4/5, which means they retain learned behaviors, routes, and past experiences with remarkable recall, making them reliable partners in sustained tasks.
Side-by-Side IQ Profile: Chow Chow
The Chow Chow, with a Coren ranking of #76, offers a distinct cognitive makeup that leans towards independence and discernment. Their Problem Solving is rated 3/5, indicating an ability to figure things out for themselves, though often from a self-serving rather than cooperative perspective. They are capable of devising solutions, but these might not always align with human expectations. Training Speed is also 3/5, meaning they learn at a comparable pace to the OES, but their independent nature often requires more patience and motivational strategies.
Social Intelligence, at 3/5, is characterized by a selective and discerning approach; they understand social dynamics within their immediate, trusted circle but are generally less interested in broader social engagement. Their Instinctive Drive, also 3/5, manifests as a strong guarding instinct and a preference for independent companionship, rather than a drive to work closely under direction. The Chow Chow’s Memory score is 3/5, indicating they remember basic commands and their immediate family well, but might not retain complex sequences or less-frequent interactions with the same vividness or long-term recall as the OES.
Where Old English Sheepdog Wins Cognitively
The Old English Sheepdog's cognitive edge primarily stems from its superior Memory, rated 4/5 compared to the Chow Chow's 3/5. This enhanced recall means an OES can retain a wider array of commands, complex multi-step routines, and intricate environmental details over longer periods. For instance, an OES is more likely to remember a specific sequence of actions required to navigate an agility course or recall the precise boundaries of a property after fewer repetitions, making them more reliable in tasks demanding sustained mental recall.
Furthermore, while both breeds score 3/5 in Instinctive Drive, the OES's drive is inherently cooperative, rooted in its herding lineage. This means their problem-solving and social intelligence are often applied in a context of working *with* a human partner towards a shared objective. They are predisposed to seeking and understanding human direction to achieve a goal, making them more receptive to collaborative intellectual challenges than the more self-directed Chow Chow.
Where Chow Chow Wins Cognitively
The Chow Chow, despite its lower Coren ranking, showcases a distinct cognitive strength in independent problem-solving and discerning social intelligence, even within its 3/5 scores. Their non-sporting background means they aren't bred for active cooperation, fostering a robust capacity for self-reliant decision-making. Faced with an unfamiliar situation, a Chow Chow is more likely to devise its own solution based on its assessment of the environment and its own comfort, rather than immediately seeking human guidance. This self-sufficiency can be a cognitive advantage in situations where an owner isn't present or direct intervention isn't desired, such as figuring out how to access a sunbeam or secure a favorite toy.
Their 3/5 Social Intelligence, while not effusive, is marked by a keen discernment. Chow Chows quickly assess who belongs in their inner circle and who does not, exhibiting a thoughtful, measured approach to social interactions. This cognitive selectivity allows them to be excellent judges of character, not easily swayed by strangers or superficial charm. Their interactions are often deliberate and purposeful, reflecting a deeper, more private cognitive processing of social cues, rather than broad, eager engagement.
Which Is Easier to Train and Why
Between these two, the Old English Sheepdog generally proves easier to train, despite both sharing a 3/5 Training Speed score. The OES's superior 4/5 Memory means that once a command or behavior is learned, it is retained more effectively, requiring less frequent refreshing. Crucially, their inherent herding drive imbues them with a desire for cooperative work and a responsiveness to human direction. They often view training as a collaborative effort, a game where they engage their cognitive faculties to please their handler, making the process more fluid and rewarding for both parties.
The Chow Chow, while equally capable of learning at a 3/5 speed, presents a greater training challenge due to its independent nature and 3/5 memory score. Their strong self-willed streak means they are less inherently motivated to follow commands just for the sake of it; they often need a clear understanding of 'what's in it for them.' Training a Chow Chow demands exceptional patience, consistent positive reinforcement, and a deep understanding of their motivations. While they learn, their retention might require more consistent reinforcement, and their decision to comply often hinges on their own assessment of the situation, rather than an automatic desire to please.
Which Suits Active Owners vs Relaxed Owners
For owners with an active lifestyle, the Old English Sheepdog is the more fitting companion. Their herding heritage means they thrive on purpose-driven activity and mental engagement. Owners who enjoy long, brisk walks, interactive games like fetch, or even structured dog sports such as agility, obedience, or herding trials will find the OES a willing and capable partner. Their cognitive profile, particularly their strong memory and cooperative drive, allows them to excel in activities that require sustained mental effort and physical exertion, turning shared adventures into truly collaborative experiences.
Conversely, the Chow Chow is better suited for owners who prefer a more relaxed pace. While they do require regular, moderate exercise to stay healthy, their independent and dignified nature means they are not constantly seeking human direction for entertainment. They are content with a predictable routine, quiet companionship, and appreciate their personal space. Owners who value a calm, self-possessed presence and are comfortable with a dog that offers quiet loyalty rather than effusive demonstrations of affection will find the Chow Chow an ideal, low-key companion, appreciating their discernment and self-reliance.
The Verdict
Choose the Old English Sheepdog if you seek a cooperative, mentally engaged companion who thrives on learning complex routines and shared activities, remembering them with ease.
Opt for the Chow Chow if you desire a self-possessed, discerning companion who offers quiet loyalty and requires less constant direction, appreciating their independent spirit and thoughtful presence.
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Is the Old English Sheepdog better at learning tricks than a Chow Chow?
The Old English Sheepdog, with its 4/5 memory score and cooperative herding instincts, generally retains complex sequences and tricks more readily. While both have a 3/5 training speed, the OES's superior recall and willingness to work with an owner often make them more enthusiastic trick learners and perform with greater consistency.
Do Chow Chows get bored easily if not mentally stimulated?
Chow Chows, with their 3/5 problem-solving and independent nature, can become bored if left without appropriate mental engagement, but their boredom manifests differently. Instead of destructive seeking of attention, they might become withdrawn or find their own (potentially undesirable) ways to occupy themselves, requiring owners to provide consistent, low-key mental enrichment like puzzle toys or scent work.
How does the 'Instinctive Drive' score of 3/5 differ between these two breeds?
For the Old English Sheepdog, a 3/5 instinctive drive points to their inherent herding impulse, a cooperative drive to gather and manage, often seen in their interaction with family. For the Chow Chow, their 3/5 instinctive drive is rooted in their guarding and independent companionship roles, manifesting as a watchful, discerning nature rather than an urge to work closely with a handler or gather objects.