Project

Overview

COVID-19's effects in the U.S. can be seen in almost all industries and areas of life, from changes in the way we work and travel to how we shop. One of the most surprising, yet understandable changes that have occurred is the surge in dog adoptions.

The Washington Post reported that increased consumer demand has even led to waiting lists for certain breeds of dogs. With so much interest in adopting these four-legged-pals, our team got together to compare dog breed height/weight and intelligence with the hopes of helping others with selecting their future best friends.

Dog intelligence is determined by the aptitude demonstrated for obeying the first command (we will refer to this as the obedience ratio), and the repetition needed for a dog to understand a new command. Why is dog intelligence important? This dictates the approximate speed at which a dog will learn a new command and their track-record in obeying commands given, which can greatly reduce training time. Training is integral so that your new furry friend becomes acclimated to their new home, understands their place in the household, as well as their boundaries and expectations.

Regardless of their obedience level, all dogs do have the ability to learn and obey commands, it just may take more investment from their owner in the form of time and repetition. Intelligence is not the only factor that should be considered in the adoption process, please also consider breed-specific dog behaviors and health issues.

We hope that our data insights will help individuals and families seeking a furry best friend to approximate the time investment needed to train their new family member. Dog training will encourage desirable behaviors that will contribute to a happy life for the entire family.

The ETL repository may be accessed at https://github.com/alissavokes/ETL-Dog-Intelligence.

Research Objectives

  1. Identify if there is a relationship between breed size and intelligence.
  2. Top 5 smartest large dog breeds.
  3. Top 5 smartest small dog breeds.
  4. Top ten dog breeds by intelligence.
  5. Average intelligence across all breeds based on dog weight.
    • Small dogs < 35 lbs
    • Medium breeds - between 35 and 65 lbs
    • Large dogs > 65 lbs

Sara
Brynn
Alissa

Our Team

Saranhais Zerpa

Data Analyst

Brynn Hamilton

Web Developer

Alissa Vokes

Data Analyst

ETL:

Data

Cleaning

Our original data sources were formatted as CSV files. Both data sets were obtained from data.world, and have been included below.

Dog Intelligence-Obedience
AKC Breed Measurements

Once the data was reviewed, we identified a few issues that we needed to address in the data cleaning step, such as breed name inconsistencies, and missing/invalid values.

Using Pandas, the following steps were taken to address the identified issues.

  • The obedience rate for low degree of working/obedience intelligence category dogs was updated to reflect a numerical value of 0% to replace the imported NaN values.
  • The obedience rate was changed into a decimal value column to facilitate SQL importation.
  • Dog names were replaced in both CSV files where they were inconsistent (22 entries)
  • Dogs with no size information were dropped from the dataset.
  • The value counts function was used to identify height data that was not valid (such as "not found" and "na" values), which were then converted to NaN and dropped.
  • The column titles were changed to lower case for consistency.
  • Height and weight column data types were transformed using the to_numeric Pandas function.
  • The mean weight and height for each breed were calculated based on the low and high ranges provided by the original data set.

Once the cleaning was finalized, a PostgreSQL connection was initiated and the cleaned tables were loaded into the database. The tables were then merged using a SQL command and exported as a CSV file. This table may be found in the "Final Table" section of our website.

Our group determined to merge the two tables into one in order to simplify our approach to pulling and evaluating information.

Data Analysis

Dog size factors, such as height and weight, and intelligence (in the form of the obedience ratio) were compared. The top 10 most intelligent breeds reflect dog weights that range from less than 10 lbs and up to 100 lbs. The results indicate that intelligence is derived from other breed-specific variables. We concluded that there is not a strong correlation between average breed size and intelligence as a variety of dog breeds of all sizes were found in each intelligence category.

Weight vs Obedience Scatter Plot - All Breeds
Height vs Obedience Scatter Plot - All Breeds
Weight and Height vs Obedience Scatter Plot - All Breed
Weight vs Obedience Scatter Plot - Top 10 Breeds.png

HTML Tables

Breed Average Weight (lbs) Classification Obedience Repetitions Lower Repetitions Upper
German Shepherd 82.5 Brightest Dogs 0.95 1 4
Labrador Retriever 67.5 Brightest Dogs 0.95 1 4
Doberman Pinscher 80.0 Brightest Dogs 0.95 1 4
Rottweiler 100.0 Brightest Dogs 0.95 1 4
Belgian Sheepdog 67.5 Excellent Working Dogs 0.85 5 15

Breed Average Weight (lbs) Average Height (inches) Classification Obedience Repetitions Lower Repetitions Upper
Papillon 7.5 9.5 Brightest Dogs 0.95 1 4
Shetland Sheepdog 17.0 14.5 Brightest Dogs 0.95 1 4
American Cocker Spaniel 25.0 15.5 Excellent Working Dogs 0.85 5 15
Standard Schnauzer 33.0 18.0 Excellent Working Dogs 0.85 5 15
English Cocker Spaniel 30.0 16.0 Excellent Working Dogs 0.85 5 15

Breed Average Weight (lbs) Classification Obedience Repetitions Lower Repetitions Upper
Border Collie 40.0 Brightest Dogs 0.95 1 4
Shetland Sheepdog 17.0 Brightest Dogs 0.95 1 4
Labrador Retriever 67.5 Brightest Dogs 0.95 1 4
Australian Cattle Dog 40.0 Brightest Dogs 0.95 1 4
Doberman Pinscher 80.0 Brightest Dogs 0.95 1 4
German Shepherd 82.5 Brightest Dogs 0.95 1 4
Golden Retriever 65.0 Brightest Dogs 0.95 1 4
Rottweiler 100.0 Brightest Dogs 0.95 1 4
Poodle Standard 45.0 Brightest Dogs 0.95 1 4
Papillon 7.5 Brightest Dogs 0.95 1 4

Dog Size Dog Count Average Obediance Average Low Repetitions Average Upper Repetitions
small dogs < 35 lbs 49 0.51 28.00 47.61
medium dogs - between 35 and 65 lbs 35 0.60 24.00 36.49
large dogs > 65 lbs 28 0.56 25.86 40.39

The results indicate that medium-sized dog breeds have a higher level of intelligence on average when compared to large and small dog breeds.

Breed Average Height (inches) Average Weight (lbs) Classification Obedience Repetitions Lower Repetitions Upper
Akita 27.0 100.0 Average Working/Obedience Intelligence 0.50 26 40
Bernese Mountain Dog 25.0 97.5 Excellent Working Dogs 0.85 5 15
Bloodhound 25.0 100.0 Lowest Degree of Working/Obedience Intelligence 0.00 81 100
Borzoi 27.0 85.0 Lowest Degree of Working/Obedience Intelligence 0.00 81 100
Bullmastiff 26.0 115.0 Fair Working/Obedience Intelligence 0.30 41 80
Great Dane 32.0 140.0 Average Working/Obedience Intelligence 0.50 26 40
Great Pyrenees 29.5 107.5 Fair Working/Obedience Intelligence 0.30 41 80
Irish Wolfhound 31.5 120.0 Average Working/Obedience Intelligence 0.50 26 40
Kuvasz 29.0 95.0 Average Working/Obedience Intelligence 0.50 26 40
Mastiff 28.5 182.5 Lowest Degree of Working/Obedience Intelligence 0.00 81 100
Newfoundland 27.0 125.0 Above Average Working Dogs 0.70 16 25
Otterhound 25.0 87.5 Average Working/Obedience Intelligence 0.50 26 40
Rottweiler 24.5 100.0 Brightest Dogs 0.95 1 4
Saint Bernard 26.5 150.0 Fair Working/Obedience Intelligence 0.30 41 80
Afghan Hound 26.0 55.0 Lowest Degree of Working/Obedience Intelligence 0.00 81 100
American Foxhound 23.5 67.5 Average Working/Obedience Intelligence 0.50 26 40
Belgian Malinois 24.0 62.5 Excellent Working Dogs 0.85 5 15
Belgian Sheepdog 24.0 67.5 Excellent Working Dogs 0.85 5 15
Belgian Tervuren 24.0 67.5 Excellent Working Dogs 0.85 5 15
Boxer 23.0 67.5 Average Working/Obedience Intelligence 0.50 26 40
Briard 25.0 75.0 Above Average Working Dogs 0.70 16 25
Chesapeake Bay Retriever 23.5 65.0 Above Average Working Dogs 0.70 16 25
Clumber Spaniel 19.5 50.0 Above Average Working Dogs 0.70 16 25
Collie 24.0 62.5 Excellent Working Dogs 0.85 5 15
Curly Coated Retriever 26.0 72.5 Average Working/Obedience Intelligence 0.50 26 40
Doberman Pinscher 27.0 80.0 Brightest Dogs 0.95 1 4
English Foxhound 23.5 67.5 Average Working/Obedience Intelligence 0.50 26 40
English Setter 25.0 62.5 Above Average Working Dogs 0.70 16 25
German Shepherd 24.0 82.5 Brightest Dogs 0.95 1 4
German Shorthaired Pointer 23.5 65.0 Excellent Working Dogs 0.85 5 15
German Wirehaired Pointer 24.0 65.0 Average Working/Obedience Intelligence 0.50 26 40
Giant Schnauzer 26.5 72.5 Above Average Working Dogs 0.70 16 25
Golden Retriever 22.5 65.0 Brightest Dogs 0.95 1 4
Gordon Setter 25.0 62.5 Above Average Working Dogs 0.70 16 25
Greyhound 28.5 65.0 Average Working/Obedience Intelligence 0.50 26 40
Irish Setter 26.0 65.0 Above Average Working Dogs 0.70 16 25
Labrador Retriever 22.5 67.5 Brightest Dogs 0.95 1 4
Old English Sheepdog 22.0 62.5 Fair Working/Obedience Intelligence 0.30 41 80
Poodle Standard 20.0 45.0 Brightest Dogs 0.95 1 4
Rhodesian Ridgeback 25.5 77.5 Average Working/Obedience Intelligence 0.50 26 40
Scottish Deerhound 30.0 92.5 Average Working/Obedience Intelligence 0.50 26 40
Weimaraner 26.0 77.5 Excellent Working Dogs 0.85 5 15
Airedale Terrier 23.0 45.0 Above Average Working Dogs 0.70 16 25
American Staffordshire Terrier 18.0 45.0 Above Average Working Dogs 0.70 16 25
American Water Spaniel 16.5 35.0 Average Working/Obedience Intelligence 0.50 26 40
Australian Cattle Dog 18.5 40.0 Brightest Dogs 0.95 1 4
Australian Shepherd 20.5 50.0 Average Working/Obedience Intelligence 0.50 26 40
Basset Hound 14.0 45.0 Lowest Degree of Working/Obedience Intelligence 0.00 81 100
Bearded Collie 21.0 50.0 Above Average Working Dogs 0.70 16 25
Border Collie 20.0 40.0 Brightest Dogs 0.95 1 4
Brittany 19.0 35.0 Excellent Working Dogs 0.85 5 15
Bulldog 14.0 55.0 Lowest Degree of Working/Obedience Intelligence 0.00 81 100
Bull Terrier 21.5 60.0 Fair Working/Obedience Intelligence 0.30 41 80
Chinese Shar Pei 19.0 50.0 Average Working/Obedience Intelligence 0.50 26 40
Chow Chow 20.5 50.0 Lowest Degree of Working/Obedience Intelligence 0.00 81 100
American Cocker Spaniel 15.5 25.0 Excellent Working Dogs 0.85 5 15
English Cocker Spaniel 16.0 30.0 Excellent Working Dogs 0.85 5 15
Dalmatian 21.0 57.5 Above Average Working Dogs 0.70 16 25
English Springer Spaniel 20.0 50.0 Excellent Working Dogs 0.85 5 15
Field Spaniel 18.0 42.5 Above Average Working Dogs 0.70 16 25
Flat Coated Retriever 22.5 65.0 Excellent Working Dogs 0.85 5 15
Finnish Spitz 17.5 33.0 Average Working/Obedience Intelligence 0.50 26 40
Ibizan Hound 25.5 48.5 Average Working/Obedience Intelligence 0.50 26 40
Irish Terrier 18.5 26.0 Average Working/Obedience Intelligence 0.50 26 40
Irish Water Spaniel 16.5 55.0 Excellent Working Dogs 0.85 5 15
Keeshond 18.0 42.5 Excellent Working Dogs 0.85 5 15
Kerry Blue Terrier 19.0 37.5 Above Average Working Dogs 0.70 16 25
Norwegian Elkhound 19.5 50.0 Above Average Working Dogs 0.70 16 25
Pharaoh Hound 23.0 50.0 Above Average Working Dogs 0.70 16 25
Pointer 22.5 55.0 Average Working/Obedience Intelligence 0.50 26 40
Portuguese Water Dog 21.5 51.0 Above Average Working Dogs 0.70 16 25
Saluki 25.5 52.5 Average Working/Obedience Intelligence 0.50 26 40
Samoyed 21.5 57.5 Above Average Working Dogs 0.70 16 25
Siberian Husky 21.5 50.0 Average Working/Obedience Intelligence 0.50 26 40
Staffordshire Bull Terrier 15.0 26.0 Average Working/Obedience Intelligence 0.50 26 40
Standard Schnauzer 18.0 33.0 Excellent Working Dogs 0.85 5 15
Vizsla 57.0 23.5 Excellent Working Dogs 0.85 5 15
Welsh Springer Spaniel 17.5 40.0 Above Average Working Dogs 0.70 16 25
Wirehaired Pointing Griffon 22.0 52.5 Average Working/Obedience Intelligence 0.50 26 40
Australian Terrier 10.0 12.0 Above Average Working Dogs 0.70 16 25
Basenji 17.0 21.0 Lowest Degree of Working/Obedience Intelligence 0.00 81 100
Beagle 14.5 24.0 Lowest Degree of Working/Obedience Intelligence 0.00 81 100
Bedlington Terrier 15.5 20.5 Average Working/Obedience Intelligence 0.50 26 40
Bichon Frise 10.5 14.0 Average Working/Obedience Intelligence 0.50 26 40
Border Terrier 13.5 13.5 Above Average Working Dogs 0.70 16 25
Boston Terrier 14.5 20.0 Average Working/Obedience Intelligence 0.50 26 40
Brussels Griffon 7.5 9.0 Fair Working/Obedience Intelligence 0.30 41 80
Cairn Terrier 9.5 14.0 Above Average Working Dogs 0.70 16 25
Cardigan Welsh Corgi 11.0 30.0 Excellent Working Dogs 0.85 5 15
King Charles Spaniel 12.5 17.5 Average Working/Obedience Intelligence 0.50 26 40
Dachshund 8.5 24.0 Average Working/Obedience Intelligence 0.50 26 40
Dandie Dinmont Terrier 21.0 9.5 Fair Working/Obedience Intelligence 0.30 41 80
Smooth Fox Terrier 14.5 17.5 Average Working/Obedience Intelligence 0.50 26 40
Wire Fox Terrier 14.5 17.5 Average Working/Obedience Intelligence 0.50 26 40
French Bulldog 11.5 22.5 Fair Working/Obedience Intelligence 0.30 41 80
Lakeland Terrier 13.5 16.0 Fair Working/Obedience Intelligence 0.30 41 80
Manchester Terrier Standard 15.5 17.5 Above Average Working Dogs 0.70 16 25
Pug 10.5 18.0 Fair Working/Obedience Intelligence 0.30 41 80
Puli 16.5 31.0 Above Average Working Dogs 0.70 16 25
Schipperke 11.5 15.0 Excellent Working Dogs 0.85 5 15
Scottish Terrier 11.0 20.0 Fair Working/Obedience Intelligence 0.30 41 80
Sealyham Terrier 12.0 19.0 Fair Working/Obedience Intelligence 0.30 41 80
Shetland Sheepdog 14.5 17.0 Brightest Dogs 0.95 1 4
Shiba Inu 14.5 22.5 Average Working/Obedience Intelligence 0.50 26 40
Shih Tzu 9.5 12.5 Lowest Degree of Working/Obedience Intelligence 0.00 81 100
Australian Silky Terrier 9.5 9.5 Above Average Working Dogs 0.70 16 25
Skye Terrier 10.0 25.0 Fair Working/Obedience Intelligence 0.30 41 80
Tibetan Spaniel 10.0 12.0 Average Working/Obedience Intelligence 0.50 26 40
Tibetan Terrier 15.5 25.0 Fair Working/Obedience Intelligence 0.30 41 80
Welsh Terrier 15.0 20.5 Average Working/Obedience Intelligence 0.50 26 40
West Highland White Terrier 11.0 14.0 Average Working/Obedience Intelligence 0.50 26 40
Whippet 20.0 28.5 Average Working/Obedience Intelligence 0.50 26 40
Affenpinscher 10.5 10.0 Above Average Working Dogs 0.70 16 25
Chihuahua 7.5 3.5 Fair Working/Obedience Intelligence 0.30 41 80
Chinese Crested 12.0 8.5 Fair Working/Obedience Intelligence 0.30 41 80
Italian Greyhound 13.5 8.0 Fair Working/Obedience Intelligence 0.30 41 80
Japanese Chin 9.5 7.5 Fair Working/Obedience Intelligence 0.30 41 80
Maltese 9.0 5.0 Fair Working/Obedience Intelligence 0.30 41 80
Papillon 9.5 7.5 Brightest Dogs 0.95 1 4
Pomeranian 12.0 5.0 Excellent Working Dogs 0.85 5 15
Yorkshire Terrier 8.0 5.0 Above Average Working Dogs 0.70 16 25