generally speaking, what breed(s) of SMALL dogs is/are supposed to be the smartest?

Answer 1

The National AKC top point winner 2 years ago, in obedience trials, was a Papillon...but poodles are generally the quickest to learn of the toy/small breeds..

Answer 2

Ranks 1 to 10
Brightest Dogs


Understanding of New Commands: Less than 5 repetitions.

Obey First Command: 95% of the time or better.

Rank Breed
1 Border Collie
2 Poodle
3 German Shepherd
4 Golden Retriever
5 Doberman Pinscher
6 Shetland Sheepdog
7 Labrador Retriever
8 Papillon
9 Rottweiler
10 Australian Cattle Dog

http://www.petrix.com/dogint/1-10.html

Answer 3

Honestly, I don't think one breed of small dog is any smarter than the other. I know Poodles are supposed to be the smartest dogs. As far as a small dog..... I have two Chihuahuas and one is extremely smart and the other one is, well lets say just not as smart. I think you just get lucky or unlucky when your picking out your dog.

Answer 4

Genetically I don't know for a fact but Boston Terriers were specifically bred to be companion dogs for human beings. They are very well behaved, trainable dogs. They are small, their hair doens't come out in nasty fuzzy clumps, they obey, they are funny and adorable.

My dog is gentle with kids, playful with adults, he learns boundaries quickly, doesn't run when off a leash, has never had one accident in the house. Doesn't bark much, isn't an annoying begger (though he will actually sleep at the foot of the stove if I am cooking something and he'll stay there for HOURS)

I am not a big dog lover but this breed changed my mind. He is wonderful.

I have also heard poodles are smart, but they aren't nearly as cute as Bostons!

One thing....he has nasty breath and he farts a lot.

Answer 5

Smart (as per the typical definition that they learn obedience commands easily & retain information well) small breeds are: Shetland Sheepdog, Papillon, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Miniature & Toy Poodles, Bichon Frises, Cardigan & Pembroke Welsh Corgis.

You can go to www.akc.org to see pictures & read more about these breeds.

Answer 6

Ranking of dogs by breed
Brightest Dogs
1. Border Collie
2. Poodle
3. German Shepherd
4. Golden Retriever
5. Doberman Pinscher
6. Shetland Sheepdog
7. Labrador Retriever
8. Papillon
9. Rottweiler
10. Australian Cattle Dog
Welsh Corgi (Pembroke)



Excellent Working Dogs
11. Miniature Schnauzer
12. English Springer Spaniel
13. Belgian Tervueren
14. Schipperke
15. Belgian Sheepdog
16. Collie
Keeshond
17. German Shorthaired Pointer
18. Flat-Coated Retriever
English Cocker Spaniel
Standard Schnauzer
19. Brittany
20. Cocker Spaniel
21. Weimaraner
22. Belgian Malinois
Bernese Mountain Dog
23. Pomeranian
24. Irish Water Spaniel
25. Vizsla
26. Cardigan Welsh Corgi



Above Average Working Dogs
27. Chesapeake Bay Retriever
Puli
Yorkshire Terrier
28. Giant Schnauzer
29. Airedale Terrier
Bouvier des Flandres
30. Border Terrier
Briard
31. Welsh Springer Spaniel
32. Manchester Terrier
33. Samoyed
34. Field Spaniel
Newfoundland (dog)
Australian Terrier
American Staffordshire Terrier
Gordon Setter
Bearded Collie
35. Cairn Terrier
Kerry Blue Terrier
Irish Setter
36. Norwegian Elkhound
37. Affenpinscher
Silky Terrier
Miniature Pinscher
English Setter
Pharaoh Hound
Clumber Spaniel
38. Norwich Terrier
39. Dalmatian



Average Working/Obedience Intelligence
40. Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier
Bedlington Terrier
Fox Terrier (Smooth)
41. Curly Coated Retriever
Irish Wolfhound
42. Kuvasz
Australian Shepherd
43. Saluki
Finnish Spitz
Pointer
44. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
German Wirehaired Pointer
Black and Tan Coonhound
American Water Spaniel
45. Siberian Husky
Bichon Frise
English Toy Spaniel
46. Tibetan Spaniel
English Foxhound
Otterhound
American Foxhound
Greyhound
Wirehaired Pointing Griffon
47. West Highland White Terrier
Scottish Deerhound
48. Boxer
Great Dane
49. Dachshund
Staffordshire Bull Terrier
50. Alaskan Malamute
51. Whippet
Chinese Shar Pei
Fox Terrier (Wire)
52. Rhodesian Ridgeback
53. Ibizan Hound
Welsh Terrier
Irish Terrier
54. Boston Terrier
Akita Inu



Fair Working/Obedience Intelligence
55. Skye Terrier
56. Norfolk Terrier
Sealyham Terrier
57. Pug
58. French Bulldog
59. Brussels Griffon
Maltese
60. Italian Greyhound
61. Chinese Crested Dog
62. Dandie Dinmont Terrier
Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen
Tibetan Terrier
Japanese Chin
Lakeland Terrier
63. Old English Sheepdog
64. Great Pyrenees
65. Scottish Terrier
Saint Bernard
66. Bull Terrier
67. Chihuahua
68. Lhasa Apso
69. Bullmastiff



Lowest Degree of Working/Obedience Intelligence
70. Shih Tzu
71. Basset Hound
72. Mastiff
Beagle
73. Pekingese
74. Bloodhound
75. Borzoi
76. Chow Chow
77. Bulldog
78. Basenji
79. Afghan Hound

Answer 7

Jack Russels are dumb. You really ought to check out Toy Fox Terriers. Mine is the smartest dog I've ever encountered.

Answer 8

Several of the small dogs are intelligent. Poodles, Jack Russel Terriers, Rat Terriers, Datsuns, to name a few.

Answer 9

To the people that say purebreds are too inbred and that mutts are the best-

I see your mutt and raise you a shetland sheepdog that can: sit, down, stay, roll over, play dead, leave treats on his paws, wave, shake, high-5, spin in both directions on command, salutes, takes out the trash, says his prayers, plays patty cake, rides a skateboard, has a herding title and has an rally obedience title.

If that is too inbred and stupid, I will take my beautiful inbred purebred sheltie that has been genetically tested and healthy any day!!

Answer 10

Welsh Pembroke Corgis, are small, smart, loyal dogs. I know because I have one and I researched it before I purchased 1. My dog "Sadie" learned her name in 1 day. She has also learned how to sit, shake, lie down, roll over, go to bed, lets go (get in car). She learned all of this within the first month I had her. I trained her to potty outside in 2 days, and now when she wants a treat she goes to the cabinet it is in and looks at it. If you research them you will learn they are great dogs!