Top 10 Smartest Dog Breeds to Adopt

The entire realm of the small dog breed is rich with charm, intelligence, smartness, and astonishing cognitive abilities. They are often underestimated due to their petite size, as these compact companions comprise a high level of intelligence that rivals their bigger counterparts. They are more than just lap dogs with the smartest dog breeds who stay adept at problem-solving while eagerly engaging in intricate tasks. In our post today, we are going to highlight some of the smartest dogs or toy breeds, discovering these tiny canines and how they stand out more than just their size with their astonishing intellectual abilities.

Smartest Small Dog Breeds

In the world of small dog breeds, especially small puppies, they are measured by their intelligence and not their size. These are the breeds that are small in shape but stand as giants in terms of their brain power. Due to their impressive learning abilities and problem-solving capabilities, today, we are going to share the top 10 intelligent dog breeds that epitomize their intellect as they come in all sizes.

1. Miniature Schnauzer

Miniature Schnauzer is an intelligent little dog that tends to be quite temperamental sometimes. Schnauzers are easy to obey commands, quick in their learning process, and very loyal to their owners. These characteristics make the Schnauzer suitable for the family when accompanied by their cheerful temperament. This breed is perfectly ok with the concrete jungle and the high-rise as much as they are with a game of fetch in the garden or a woods trail. But most importantly, Schnauzers are people-oriented, and whether you are sleepy or planning to exercise, they want to be with you.

2. Poodle and Poodle Mixes

Teacup Poodles, Miniature Poodles, and poodle mixes, regardless of their size, are considered to be among the most intelligent small-breed dogs and are rather easy to train. This makes the Poodle overjoyed at pleasing their owners, and their intellectual background enables them to retain all their training; hence, they are fun family dogs. While the Poodle breed might be Germanic in background, the French adored this type because of its outstanding coat and gentle temper. That is why they are sometimes fondly referred to as “French Poodles.”

3. Yorkshire Terrier

That is why the Teacup Yorkshire Terrier is not only among those few but also one of the most intelligent dog breeds and, at the same time, one of the most tiny. Yorkies are small-bred dogs weighing less than seven pounds, but they do have their personalities. Playful and spirited, they are warm and caring Dogs—ideal for a person who wants to pamper their pet. Yorkies are well suited for apartment living as they are undemanding, intelligent, and lively, but if you have children, they’re also good family pets.

4. Cocker Spaniel

Cocker Spaniels and Cocker Spaniel hybrids are intelligent breeds that are also gentle and easygoing. They are friendly with other people and other animals and are often reported to be kennel-friendly and generally good with children. If trained correctly, they are great family dogs that do not tend to bark excessively. What they love most are attention and exercise. Therefore, they must be taken for walks and other such activities outside the home.

5. Boston Terrier

They are small but spirited dogs, great with children and other animals, including other Boston Terriers and cats, especially if the two are introduced at a tender age. This breed thrives on playing outdoors and this breed best loves the game of catch. Bostons are smart small dogs that are easy to obedience train, though they have their attitude. It is important that training is done systematically, starting as early as possible.

6. Havanese

Very friendly and well-behaved, the Teacup Havanese can be ranked among the most social small dogs. Get to know that they easily acquire tricks and games to perform with their masters; further, due to their high-spirited nature, Siberian huskies are ideal for anyone who wants to have an intelligent dog of moderate size that needs no large area to move around. This breed is good in the obedience puppy training but Havanese can turn out to be a loud barker if they are not trained on the issue in the first six months.

7. Maltese

Maltese are the most likely and adorable breed of small dogs that strikes one's mind when you think of adding a small dog to your home, especially with their silky and soft white coat. These breeds are considered loyal lap dogs; they are filled with energy and love to enjoy their playtime. Maltese are completely fearless which is a quality that is passed on from the day these breeds were used as rat hunters. They dwell compassionately with people of all ages, and they are extremely easy to train as they love to perform tricks.

8. Pomeranian

To a large extent, Pomeranians are tiny dogs, but they are also clever small dogs. They do not require further training; they respond quickly, and they are so alert. Pomeranians are good learners, especially when it comes to tricks, so they are much beyond the looks.

9. Bichon Frise

These cute little dogs, famous for their luxurious snow-white fur, are intelligent and easy to obedience training with the help of a positive reinforcement training method. Socializing Bichon Frise when they are still young and enrolling them in puppy training classes also proves a great advantage. The small breed is highly intelligent and fond of new tricks and exercises, and such information easily imprints on the breed.

10. Miniature Dachsund

Miniature Dachshund dogs are not only for their sausage-like appearance but there is so much more to them. They were developed for hunting badgers, and they are courageous and rather intelligent animals. Their nature is smart, but they are stubborn; therefore, they will appreciate the long and proper training.

Conclusion

Each breed is different, but they all bring different personalities, and the features that are present in these small dogs make them some of the best breeds! However, it is necessary to determine which one is more suitable for the desired characteristics of the chosen type of furry companion. Are you ready to choose your perfect pet? Visit us at Up and Away Pups to look at our selection of puppies and tour breeding practices for puppies for sale.

FAQs

1. What Makes a Small Dog Breed 'Intelligent'?

Small dog breeds based on intelligence are characterized by their rapid learning ability, ability to adapt to new conditions, resolution of issues, and responsive training.

2. Can Small Intelligent Dogs Be Good with Children and Other Pets?

Several small smart dog breeds are good with kids and coexist peacefully with other pets, mainly if they are socializing at a younger age.

3. What are Some Effective Ways to Mentally Stimulate a Small Intelligent Dog?

Common techniques that can help enrich the dogs mentally are playing, devising tricks to perform, treat-pushing toys, agility activities, and smell games.