Are dogs smarter than cows?

Factual Questions
1

Re: This thread

Okay, it’s straightforward. Are dogs smarter than cows? Is there any substantial evidence that a cow has less cognitive ability than a dog?

I ask the question because a strong argument could be made, in that thread, that the treatment of the dogs is no worse than treatment of cows on some commercial cattle farms.

But I haven’t, because I don’t know if dogs are smarter than cows, and therefore more able to realize the gravity of the situation, or feel bored, or whatever.

Thanks for any help.

–Tim

2

with rare exception, I never thought of dogs as bright. But cows, on the otherhand, I have regarded as one of the most generious, tasty, and dumb anamals in the kingdom.

But that’s just my humble O

3

I grew up on a farm, and generally thought of cows as fairly intelligent creatures. ( Chickens, on the other hand… )

However, I’d have to say that in my experience a smart dog seems to be quite a bit smarter than a smart cow. I’ve never met a cow that I could think of as a match for “Lassie”.

Also, you can train a dog to herd cows, but you can’t train a cow to herd dogs.

4

I don’t have a cite for it offhand, but yes, I believe that predatory mammal species like cats and dogs are generally considered more “intelligent” than mammal prey species like deer and cows. But I don’t know how you want to quantify “intelligence”. If you mean being trained to run mazes, rats and mice are probably the best at that, and rats at least are both prey and predator (sometimes).

Predators, generally speaking, have to figure out strategies for catching their supper. They have to remember what worked the last time, and modify what didn’t work. All the prey has to do is run away, and they’re mostly hard-wired for that. They see something out of the corner of their eyes, or they hear a funny noise and ding! they’re off and running.

Now, if you’re talking about birds, it’s different. Parrots are generally considered more “intelligent” than hawks, because they can be trained to do more things. However, hawks are considered more “intelligent” than robins, because you can train a hawk to come back to your fist more reliably than you can a robin. But does this denote “intelligence” on the part of the hawk?

As far as evidence that dogs are more “intelligent” than cows, I can’t do any better than repeat what WillGolf said. You can’t train cows to herd dogs. And bear in mind, that for every animal species you can name, you’re going to have some hobbyist jump up out of his seat and holler, “Gerbils are SO more intelligent than hamsters!” and then give you endless anecdotes about how smart HIS gerbils are.

So I guess I’m saying your OP question is kind of moot. How do you want to quantify “intelligence”?

As for the puppy mill thing, I don’t think you’ll find very many people who will stand up and say, “Puppy mills are the wave of the future!” As for comparing puppies in cages with, say, veal calves in cages, or farrowing sows in a confinement facility, or even battery hens in tiny little cages, I personally disapprove of all of it. If you’re going to raise livestock, it’s humane to at least give them room to walk around.

And yes, I think that a dog raised in a cage is going to be more miserable than a veal calf in a cage, dogs being social creatures like humans, who need that social interaction to be truly content. But as for the puppies “realizing their situation”, I don’t think so. That’s kind of a 101 Dalmatians take on the situation, and it would assume that the puppies would have something to compare their experience to, which they wouldn’t. If all they know is the cage, then they wouldn’t be able to sit there and think, “I wish I were out of this cage”.

5

I don’t know, but I would pay good money to see a cow leap into the air and catch a frisbee.

6

Even cats are smarter than cows.

7

I’ve heard cows are so stupid that when they bump into a fence (or another cow), they just keep going…they don’t try to move backwards. They’re not too bright, these animals.

8

Okay, here’s an ad hoc criterion for intelligence: The creature in question must be able to modify its behavior according to the surrounding environment. Modifying its behavior in anticipation of its surrounding environment is a big plus. This definition seems to say cows are substantially less intelligent than dogs because dogs can modify their behavior (perform a trick) in anticipation of a change in the enviroment (the big guy gives me a treat). Also, dogs can hunt. Hunting is more than just homing in on your prey: You have to lie in wait, detect and anticipate changes in the prey’s behavior, and run at them in a way that forces them into a beneficial (for the hunter) path (like towards other pack members). I think this behavior suggests a certain level of intelligence in both dogs and cats while making cows and other prey animals (deer caught in headlights, anyone?) look about as cerebral as your average box of gravel. Of course, there is individual variation. I’ve known some dogs so stupid as to be nearly untrainable. I’m sure there are cows that act downright smart. I know horses can, sometimes. But as a general rule, being a hunter tends to make more demands on brain functions we associate with intelligence than being prey would.

9

All:

Thanks for all the input. Some crazy man came in and made my argument for me while I was gone! ::grin:: Oh well!

DDG:

Don’t get me wrong, I don’t encourage either type of treatment (veal is the one meat I won’t eat), but I do believe that it is hypocritical to condone veal production or corporate egging while condemning puppy mills. That was my argument. Thanks for the great information. I thought I’d remembered that, too. You gotta be smarter to track and kill than to stand around and eat grass, y’know?

Whammo:

LOL!

–Tim