I'm looking for an average size house dog that would be real smart to teach tricks. Any advice on a breed?

Question

PLease no big dogs. I especially would like a black female.

Answer 1

Below are links to dog breed selectors. You answer some questions about your lifestyle, what size dog you want, and if you want it to shed and it tells you what breed of dog will do the best with you. Try them all because they may give slightly different breeds and ask slightly different questions.

http://selectsmart.com/DOG/
http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/search.htm
http://www.showdog.com/Breeds/breedselector.aspx http://www.purinaone.com/dogcare_breed_selector.asp

Answer 2

How about an Australian Shepherd? Border Collie? They're both excellent medium-sized herders that do well at things like agility and flyball due to their intelligence and speed. Unfortunately, they're black and white - not all black.

Puliks (Puli, singular), Kai Dogs, Schipperkes, and Shiba Inus are also all nice medium-sized dogs. Schipperkes would probably be more along the lines of the Aussies and Border Collies in terms of doing well at things like agility and fly ball. Kais and Shibas may not be as good for tricks, but they're probbaly a lot smarter than some of the other breeds.

Anyhow, good luck regardless of what you choose!

Answer 3

A border collie is EXTREMELY bright and is not a huge dog. Be aware though, that they are high energy, will herd just about anything (including humans if they're bored!) and need things to do. They need several daily walks as well. They come in black/white also. I was going to suggest a Jack Russell Terrier but they are very, very hyper (but very smart and not that big) but they are generally white/tan. Sometimes the cross breeds are the best (mutts) as far as temperament and can be very bright. Visit your local animal shelter and they can help you!

Answer 4

Well... after a short search I found a VERY interesting breed... the Thai Ridgeback....
I won't list everything the site below can tell you, but I can tell you this... it's rare and it's probably expensive and I just might add my name to a waiting list... it's sounds like a VERY impressive dog... assuming you get it from an American breeder as opposed to one in Thailand. Check out the site and see what you think!

Answer 5

Get a smaller black female mutt who has some black lab or border collie in her. Mutts are often the smartest and well-balanced dogs, as they are not overbred. I've done obedience and agility classes and competitions with mutts with collie, beagle, australian shepherd mixes. They are great companions. You won't regret giving a mutt a chance to be loved!

Answer 6

--smart dogs are Poodles-Jack Russell,, BUT Poodles have to have hair cuts!! $$$ and Jacks are HYPER!!!! Go with a slick )short hair( for the house --- Terriers have little smell and are smaller. Look on a rescue site and find one to save. All dogs are smart if treated good.

Answer 7

Australian shepherd. Very smart and very loyal! Though any of the working class dogs would be good... Just remember that they must be taught tricks and given jobs or they will find their own tricks... egads!

Answer 8

My suggestion is a Minature Schnauzer, they come in black and silver I've seen some black. They are highly intelligent and very obedient (trainable). They are also a very handsome and defined breed.

Answer 9

They aren't black, but a Bichon Frise. They are extremely smart dogs and extremely loveable to boot.

Answer 10

Alaskan Eskimo dogs are the fluffy little white dogs that the circuses used. They are very very smart and easily trainable. My grandfather had one and he taught him sooo many things that I had never seen any other dog do, e.g. dance like a ballerina, hop across the room on his hind legs etc.