A Sense of Humor

A Sense of Humor

2.11.2017

Chloe with her fetch ball.

Hanging around Chloe has taught me that dogs indeed have a sense of humor. Her insistence in our playing tug-of-war, or bringing me the ball to play fetch always brings out the playfulness of the cocker spaniel temperament. Her presumed grinning as she watches my hand toss the ball down the hallway is enough to make me smile with her. It’s the silly and fun things that our dogs do that give us amusement, and it’s why we love them so much.

But did you know not all dogs have such a sense of humor? In fact, a study at the University of California-Davis examined 56 different dog breeds to determine their degree of playfulness. Using balls, Frisbees, or Kong toys, each dog was evaluated in their willingness to participate in a game of fetch and hide-and-seek. The results of that interesting research is shown below:

GROUP 1 - Most Playful:

Irish Setter, English Springer Spaniel, Miniature Schnauzer, Cairn Terrier, Airedale Terrier, Standard Poodle, Shetland Sheepdog, Golden Retriever, Australian Shepherd, Miniature Poodle and German Shorthaired Pointer.

GROUP 2 - Above Average Playfulness:

Vizsla, Fox Terrier, Labrador Retriever, Boston Terrier, Yorkshire Terrier, West Highland White Terrier, Toy Poodle, German Shepherd, Silky Terrier, Welsh Corgi and Shih-Tzu.

GROUP 3 - Average Playfulness:

Dachshund, Weimaraner, Bichon Frise, Cocker Spaniel, Scottish Terrier, Dalmatian, Boxer, Pug, Maltese, Beagle, Collie and Brittany Spaniel.

GROUP 4 - Below Average Playfulness:

Norwegian Elkhound, Doberman Pinscher, Chesapeake Bay Retriever, Siberian Husky, Keeshond, Afghan Hound, Pomeranian, Lhasa Apso, Newfoundland, English Sheepdog and Great Dane.

GROUP 5 - Least Playful:

Samoyed, Chihuahua, Rottweiler, Pekingese, Akita, Alaskan Malamute, Saint Bernard, Basset Hound, Chow Chow, Bulldog and Bloodhound.

If your level of activity is that of a couch potato, or you live a less strenuous life, don’t get a dog breed that’s listed within Groups 1 to 3, otherwise you’ll never get any rest, and your dog will never receive the amount of physical activity that they need.