There's blind obedience intelligence, then there's Basenji/hound intelligence.
The difference I think is the Basenji's obedience pleases himself first, and their family partners/pack, second. The "more intelligent breeds" have owners/masters they must please first and foremost. (ie…my ex-BILaw had an award winning Chessie; she was devoted to him. Did anything he ever asked her. Water and field championships. Cert. in service as well. Until her very last days (3 to be exact) she was never allowed in the house. She slept, ate, and amused herself in the garage, alone. )
I'm not sure that what I'm really trying to say is coming across. :o I appreciate a well trained dog with the best of them. But does trainability/obedience really equate with intelligence? Let's face it, we've all worked with a human or two that was trainable, perhaps even compliant (ie. obedient) but was as dumb as a box of rocks!!:eek:
Our hounds can think for themselves. They can, without training, open doors, windows, cabinets. Work out puzzles and problems and create their own solutions. Open/shut doors, ring bells for attention, care for the sick, and mourn for their losses.
I'm sure many here have examples of the independent intelligence (sans training) inherent in our breed.:)