One of the editors here at the newspaper forwarded this press release to me last week:
“Beverly Hills, CA- Everyone thinks their dog is bright. Now there's a way to test whether your pooch is really a genius.
The PoochIQ.com Dog Intelligence Kit is a first-of-it's-kind testing system that quantifies a dog's intelligence with proven accuracy. Using the latest techniques for evaluating dog intelligence, the PoochIQ.com Kit tests a dog's memory, persistence, problem solving and reasoning skills. After completing 15 fun-to-perform exercises, dogs are given an intelligence score between 55-150 on the PoochIQ scale, which is similar to the human IQ scale.
Across the world, people are finding out if their dog is a "K9 Einstein" or "Doggy Dunce". Once they take the test, they can upload pictures of their dogs on PoochIQ.com's sister site BrightPup.com (http://www.BrightPup.com) and brag about their doggie genius.
For more information, visit http://www.PoochIQ.com.”
Oh sure, like any parent, you will brag if your little darling gets high marks. But what if your poodle's performance leaves a little to be desired? What if your terrier has test anxiety? What if your dog is, well, dumb? You love the big sweetie anyway, right?
The quiz, by the way, costs $79.99 and according to the Web site, more than 5,300 pet parents have put their dogs to the test.
I am not sure I want to know how well my happy hounds would do on a standardized test. Dexter actually flunked out of greyhound racing school, and so he's now a pet. I think that was a pretty smart move on his part.
What do you think? If cost were not an object, would you test your pooch’s IQ or would you rather not know?
Comments
[February 7, 2008 12:28 PM]
Ed S.The American dream...finding the better bin for discretionary income.
[February 7, 2008 7:42 PM]
JenniferEd sounds bitter. I would definitely test my dog's smarts. If price is not a factor, there's really no reason not to. I'm sure Blue (my Husky) would like the attention, plus I wouldn't think any less of him if he got a low score...it'd just be nice to know :)
[February 11, 2008 12:16 PM]
Celi$79.99 to test your dog's intelligence!! Ridiculous to say the least. There is no doubt in my mind that my three dogs are as smart as dogs come. Let the bell go off on the microwave and one is there to tell me. Let the person with disabilities come in and the dogs are better mannered than the kids. Just live with your dog for a while and then decide. No need to throw away your money - go to Walmart and help an apparent struggling family pay for their groceries. Now that is what I call smart!
[February 12, 2008 8:28 AM]
Ed S.Jennifer, though I did mean for it to come out a bit flippant, it was meant more in jest as well as a nod that there is money to be made in anything if you market good enough.
However I think any serious dog owner would forego the "test" for the more accurate method of simple observation. I can tell my pooch isn't the brightest of the bunch (he still gets too excited, and that clouds his thinking), but his memory is great, and problem solving when he's calm is pretty good.
I wouldn't chastise anyone for purchasing, though... Trust me, I have my own fair share of what others would call "useless junk" around the house. ;)