Originally posted by Nikola014
*Adaptability to a new environment or to changes in the current environment
*Capacity for knowledge and the ability to acquire it
*Capacity for reason and abstract thought
*Ability to comprehend relationships
*Ability to evaluate and judge
*Capacity for original and productive thought
Source
years ago i had a dachshund that would meet this criteria.
she was very social, had many human friends and some dog and cat friends.
i could go away, finding a place for her to go was easy, so many friends and relatives were happy to hear she was coming over.
she invented a game, she would get a soccer ball going fast, jump on top, it would flip her through the air, and everyone would cheer.
understood so many English words that you could make her play any game, kids called her the funny dog.
she loved sports, baseball and football, would sit on the couch and bark at whoever was running.
i even brought her to amateur baseball games, a big hit with the kids.
i don't think she knew there was two teams, just barked at whoever was running.
relationship:
for 16 years she played with little kids and never hurt one.
but,
she trashed the suit off a tax assessor that came to the house.
attacked and made bleed a city employee checking her doggy license.(he was at fault, trespassing)
trashed a few adults acting like stupids.
some weeks she had more visitors than i, they would go a restaurant and bring her back some prime rib,etc.
friends, relatives would call and say their kids were always talking about the dog and would they be abel to play with her again.
i had a huge back yard which helped.
*Capacity for original and productive thought:
she came to the conclusion that her purpose was to entertain, and the joy she brought so many people, so many have pleasant memories.
once a friend said, i wonder how much she understand.
he made a tequila shot with salt and put a slice of lime next to it.
she imitated us, lapped up the tequila and bit into the lime.
she was a social success, i would say intelligent.