Dogs and wolves, though similar, are different beasts.

A FUNDAMENTAL CHARACTERISTIC OF INTELLIGENCE

“You are not a Wolf Master, you are a dog owner.”

This is an excellent bitch since it draws attention to fundamental characteristic of intelligence, one I have mentioned previously. What is that fundamental characteristic? To quote myself, “Intelligence resides in the ability to make distinctions.” But what does that mean?

In the present case the distinction relates to differing attributes of the canine genus. However, while they both belong to the same genus and share various qualities, the wolf is to be clearly distinguished from the dog. But the question is not settled there. On what basis is the distinction to be grounded? Is it a matter of physical attributes or rather of psychological characteristics?

It would appear that the wolf shares many if not all attributes with the German shepherd, for example, so it is difficult to ground the wolf/dog distinction on physical attributes. The distinction would appear to be more psychological which suggests nurture rather than nature. However, and this is important, a great deal depends upon the psychological attributes of the owner. In the present case, the owner is apparently a “paranoid burnout” which reflects badly on the nurture of the dog. In the case of severe paranoia the dog may well acquire the psychological characteristics of the wolf in which case our initial wolf/dog distinction breaks down. But that having been said, I am still firm in the belief that intelligence resides in making distinctions

Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Cheerio!