Wolves Are Smarter Than Dogs Despite Close Relation

Sort of like how you're very different from your brother or sister, the same principles appear to be applicable to species of the same family. Although wolves and dogs are closely related, they portray striking differences, such as the wolves' superior ability to imitate one another.

Scientists from the Messerli Research Institute at the University of Veterinary Medicine in Vienna believe that such efficient cooperation among wolves is a result of the wolves' close observation of one another. They also believe it's the basis of the understanding between dogs and humans.

The study was conducted using 14 wolves and 15 mongrel dogs, all of which were about six months old. The results and findings have been published in the PLOS One journal.

The basis of the experiment focused on the ability of the wolves and dogs to observe one of two situations where a trained dog opened a wooden box. After seeing the trained dog open the wooden box with either its mouth or paw to remove a food treat, the observing wolves and dogs each took turns in an attempt to open the box.

The results were heavily in favor of the wolves. Every wolf that observed was able to imitate the trained dog correctly and open the wooden box with either their mouth or paw. Only four of the 15 observer dogs were able to successfully open the box, thus favoring the argument of the scientists. Not only that, but the wolves opened the box using the exact method that the trained dog exemplified whereas the observer dogs randomly chose their mouth or paw to get the job done.

However, this did not prove that the wolves were outright better at problem solving than dogs. To test this theory, the scientists had the wolves make an attempt at opening the box without seeing the demonstration by the trained dog. The wolves were largely unsuccessful when attempting to open the box without observing the trained dog doing so first.

Based on the results, the scientists believe that the dog-human cooperation originated from the cooperation among wolves. The domestication process has rendered the dogs inefficient in learning through the actions of other dogs because of their acceptance of humans as social partners.

To read more about this experiment, visit this Science Daily article.