Modified formulas for calculation of encephalization: quotient in dogs

Abstract

Objective: Dogs are a breed of animals that play important roles in security service, companionship, hunting, guard, work and models of research for application in humans. Intelligence is the key factor to success in life, most especially for dogs that are used for security purposes at the airports, seaports, public places, houses, schools and farms. However, it has been reported that there is correlation between intelligence, body weight, height and craniometry in human. In view of this, literatures were searched on body weight, height and body surface areas of ten dogs with intent to determining their comparative level of intelligence using encephalization quotient. Results: Findings revealed that dogs have relationship of brain allometry with human as proven by encephalization quotient (EQ)=Brain Mass/0.14×Body weight0.528,Brain Mass/0.12×Body Weight0.66 and Brain Mass (E) = kpβ, where p is the body weight; k = 0.14 and β = 0.528, respectively. Saganuwa’s formula yielded better results as compared with the other formulas. Dogs with body surface area (BSA), weight and height similar to that of human are the most intelligent. Doberman pinscher is the most intelligent followed by German shepherd, Labrador retriever, Golden retriever, respectively.