From the SPA
Animal Einsteins
By Christine Foster

Is your pedigree dog a bit slow on the uptake? A bit of a low brow? The results are in: Purebred dogs are less alert and intelligent than they were even a couple of generations ago. As owners have demanded more “attractive” pets, breeders have been ignoring the mental agility factor. After all, purebreds are rarely required to perform as gun dogs, herders, trackers, ratters or birders. In fact, often the only real behavior they are encouraged to exhibit is extreme mellowness, which Swedish scientists claim is leading to the decline in intelligence.

Svartberg’s study at Stockholm University involved giving 10 simple tests to 13,000 dogs representing 31 popular breeds. Their results were consistently slower and less complete than the performance of dogs in similar tests 20 years ago. Meanwhile, in Lincoln, England, modern Collies and Labradors are being asked to go through their paces in traditional working roles and failing to shine in tests of attentiveness and responsiveness. The trend is compounded by inbreeding.

Is your dog curious, clever and sociable? Or is he introverted, hesitant and, well, just a little boring? Svartberg speculates that the DNA for attractive looks and fearfulness may actually lurk on the same chromosomes. In San Miguel, we have no worries; shelter animals are here to save the day! You can have it all—cute and clever, sociable and savvy.

Nayely is a young, spayed female who has been with us a couple of months. No shrinking violet, she loves to play with other dogs in the exercise yard and, having been surrendered by a local family, is already great with youngsters, though she has no experience with babies or toddlers. She is getting some leash training and needs more work, but always enjoys being with the volunteers who visit her. She is a delightful girl, and unlike some designer dogs, she’s alert, responsive and smart.

We all know you can’t breed the brains out of a cat and one of our brightest cats is Prince. He managed to slip out of the cat cage while it was being cleaned and go walkabout, but turned himself in a few days later. With all the dogs alertly watching him (alertly!) from their cages, he trotted across the roof meowing to ask to be let back into the cage. He was very happy when a volunteer picked him up. He was very hungry, but clearly smart enough to know where the safety and comida were to be found.

These and all our other adorable, intelligent mixed-breeds are waiting for you at Los Pinos 7, a right turn off of Calzada de la Estación. We are open for volunteers, visitors and adoptions 11am–2pm, Monday–Friday. Adoptions begin at 300 pesos and include sterilization and vaccinations. Call 152-6124 or visit www.spasanmiguel.org.