Can dogs perform arithmetic, predict seizures and detect cancer? The New York Times had a nice piece on dog intelligence, focusing on the work of University of British Columbia professor Stanley Coren. Professor Coren believes that dogs are much smarter than we give them credit for:
I believe that so much research has come out lately suggesting that we may have underestimated certain aspects of the mental ability of dogs that even the most hardened cynic has to think twice before rejecting the possibilities,” said Stanley Coren, a psychology professor at the University of British Columbia and an author of several books on dogs.
Dr. Coren puts border collies, poodles, German Shepherds and Golden Retrievers at the top of the pack, but I’m sure Puli’s aren’t that far behind. More details and a complete list can be found in his book The Intelligence of Dogs.