smartDOG BreCo

smartDOG BreCo (Breed Cognition) is a completely unique canine behavior database service where the customer can view the cognitive profiles of breeds. Similar information is not available anywhere else. Cognitive characteristics include self-control, problem solving ability in different tasks, problem-solving strategy, the ability to understand human gestures, or even the ability to imitate human actions.

In addition, the database shows breed differences in behaviour towards unfamiliar testers (sociability), new space, slippery surfaces and test equipment, among other things. The level of fearfulness associated with test equipment has been so high in the tests that we have started to record this.

Information about breed profiles for BreCo is obtained through smartDOG tests of Finnish dogs. Currently, over 7000 dogs have been tested with smartDOG tests, and new test results are added to the database daily.

The breed profile is shown in BreCo when at least 10 adult dogs/breed have been tested. BreCo also has a Top 5 list of the different test areas, which shows for example the best gesture reader breeds, the most social breeds, or the most independent breeds.

You can buy a 6 month license for BreCo here.

Before BreCo, there was no reliable information available on breed-specific cognitive characteristics. References to an “intelligent” breed in many breed definitions are not based on research or testing, only on the opinion of someone, usually a breed enthusiast. Comparable public data on breed cognitive characteristics has not been available to everyone before.

We recently published our first extensive breed comparison research on the subject, including the 13 most tested breeds. You can read the article here.