Top 10 Smartest Small Dog Breeds

Apart from their irresistible charm, if you have limited space at home, or you just want a tiny little pooch to smooch around all day, small dogs may be right up your alley.

Having these little Fidos around like a living velcro, smothered will all the love and attention in the world, they sometimes have the tendency to have a small dog syndrome.

But do not worry, that prima donna attitude is a learned behavior and can be addressed with positive training techniques.

Speaking of training, dogs have different intelligence levels; and you may ask who among the small dog breeds are smart enough to be trained easily?

We’ve rounded up the smartest small dog breeds for your easy reference (and enjoyment!).

Defining Small Dogs?

First, how do you know if a dog is small? Apart from visually approximating them, here’s a good guide to follow based on their weight:

Small Dogs- from 2 to 22 pounds and subcategorized further to:

• Miniature Dogs- 3 to 12 pounds
• Toy Dogs- from 5 to 12 pounds
• Teacup Dogs- very small dogs with 4 pounds or less in weight

The Intelligence of Dogs by Stanley Coren

Now that you can check if they are small, how do you know if they are an intelligent breed?

Stanley Coren, a canine psychologist and professor at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, published a book called Intelligence of Dogs in 1994, with a second edition in 2006.

Coren developed criteria to rank the intelligence of canines with the aid of obedience trial judges from American and Canadian Kennel Clubs. He was able to fine-tune his system with 199 or half the responses of obedience judges. He also only qualified dogs with at least 100 evaluations.

In his trials, two consistent criteria are met:
1. The intelligence of the breeds was measured by the number of repetitions they needed to be able to learn a new command.
2. The rate at which they can successfully obey a known command at the first try.

Consistently, Border Collie always tops the race while Afghan Hounds were always at the bottom 10.

Here’s a summary of Coren’s findings in his book:

Top 10 Smartest Breeds (Rank 1 to 10)

These cream of the crop can learn new commands in just 5 repetitions or less! They can also follow known commands on the first try with a success rate of 95% or more.

Bright Dogs (Rank 11th to 30th)

The next batch of dogs is still remarkable, though. They are able to understand new commands with just 5 to 15 repetitions. In terms of new commands, they can follow it on the first try with at least an 85% success rate.

Above Average Intelligence (Rank 31st to 59th)

Still above their peers in terms of intelligence, this group can learn new commands with just 15 to 25 repetitions! These dogs can also obey known commands at the first try with 70% accuracy.

Smart Reasons Why Go for Small and Intelligent Dogs

Why go for a small and smart dog? Here are just some of the cute reasons why they are sought-after:

• They remain puppy-sized forever!
• They are very adoring and playful
• Perfect with kids
• Apartment living is not an issue
• They excel well in agility and endurance training versus their bigger counterparts
• They are easy to train!

Top 10 Smartest Small Dog Breeds

1. Toy Poodle

• Origin: Germany
• Height: no more than 10 inches tall
• Weight: 4 to 6 pounds
• Intelligence Rank: 2nd, next to Border Collie
• AKC Breed Popularity Rank: 7th of 196
• Temperament: Dignified, Agile and Active
• Group: Toy Group
• Life Expectancy: 10 to 18 years

When you see a Poodle, you cannot help but feel in awe with this regal and hypoallergenic dog. A-listers are seen with their cute toy Poodles groomed and dressed immaculately. However, did you know that far from their celebrity image right now, they used to track down, hunt and retrieve a variety of games? With their wit, Poodles are very easy to train. On the plus side, they are also great with children.

Just a caution though, these smart dogs tend to dominate so always try to reiterate to them that you are the leader of the pack.

2. Shetland Sheepdog

• Origin: Scotland
• Height: 13 to 16 inches
• Weight: 15 to 25 pounds
• Intelligence Rank: 6th of 137
• AKC Breed Popularity Rank: 25th of 196
• Temperament: Playful, Energetic and Cheerful
• Group: Herding Group
• Life Expectancy: 12 to 14 years

Also known as Sheltie, these dogs are the biggest among this list of small dogs. Just the same, they are still considered as a small dog; and a little version of its cousin, the Collie. It is an obedient and intelligent herder from Scotland’s faraway but very scenic Shetland Islands. Because Shelties are ultra-smart, they are easy to train. They learn new tricks fast, and they love to show it off, too! Impressively, they can also learn complex things!

They are great as playmates for children but you can also count on them to be a great watchdog. They just have the tendency to bark and corral small children due to their herding nature. But due to that fact also, their danger sensing abilities are also well-amplified.

3. Papillon

• Origin: France
• Height: 8 to 11 inches
• Weight: 5 to 10 pounds
• Intelligence Rank: 8th of 137
• AKC Breed Popularity Rank: 54 of 196
• Temperament: Alert, Sociable and Happy
• Group: Toy Group
• Life Expectancy: 14 to 16 years

Papillon dogs are like butterflies with their upright and hairy ears! And they should be rightfully called so because their name is of French origin meaning the same! While a real beauty dog, they are versatile and can be trained to do lots of things. They are very small but are extroverted, energetic, alert and very friendly! While small, Papillons are also popular as service animals and they can assist as therapy or seizure alert dogs.

4. Pembroke Welsh Corgi

• Origin: Wales
• Height: 10 to 12 inches
• Weight: up to 30 pounds for the male and 28 pounds for the female
• Intelligence Rank: 11th of 137
• AKC Breed Popularity Rank: 13 of 196
• Temperament: Alert, Affectionate and Smart
• Group: Herding Group
• Life Expectancy: 12 to 13 years

Pembroke Welsh Corgis is indeed a regal pooch as Queen Elizabeth II herself loves this breed. While very small, this little herder can drive animals 50 times its size! Because of their hard-working nature, they are very smart and highly trainable (although they are also known to be quite stubborn). Up to this day, they are kept in many ranches and farms to do herding tasks. To train Corgis, positive training techniques are suggested with lots of praise and belly rubs.

5. Miniature Schnauzer

• Origin: Germany
• Height: 12 to 14 inches
• Weight: 11 to 20 pounds
• Intelligence Rank: 12th of 137
• AKC Breed Popularity Rank: 19th out of 196
• Temperament: Sociable, Obedient and Intelligent
• Group: Terrier Group
• Life Expectancy: 12 to 15 years

The smallest of the three Schnauzer breeds, they are very smart and bursting with energy! It was once bred to hunt rats but now they are kept as a huggable furry best friend. It is an ideal family dog that is not only portable but also sporty and good looking. On the plus side, mini Schnauzers are a low-shedding breed, too!

6. The Schipperke

• Origin: Belgium
• Height: 11 to 13 inches for male and 10 to 12 inches for female
• Weight: 10 to 16 pounds
• Intelligence Rank: 15th of 137
• AKC Breed Popularity Rank: 105 of 196
• Temperament: Alert, Curious, Confident
• Group: Non-Sporting Group
• Life Expectancy: 12 to 14 years

The Schipperke is known as Belgium’s little captain and also as a barge dog! This little black pooch is very curious, fearless, lively, passionate and well-mannered. They also make great dog sports contenders and training them will just be easy peasy.

7. Pomeranian

• Origin: Germany
• Height: 6 to 7 inches
• Weight: 3 to 7 pounds
• Intelligence Rank: 23rd of 137
• AKC Breed Popularity Rank: yes, 23rd also of 196
• Temperament: Bold, Inquisitive and Lively
• Group: Toy Group
•  Life Expectancy: 12 to 16 years

This little ball of furry is a dog breed known to be brushing elbows with the royals back in the day. Called an ideal companion, they are loved with their immaculate coat, foxy face and lively personality. While very tiny, this puff of ball is very active and they love to play! With Pom’s intelligence, they also learn tricks fast! They can even be trained as therapy dogs.

8. Yorkshire Terrier

• Origin: England
• Height: 7 to 8 inches
• Weight: 7 pounds
• Intelligence Rank: 27th of 137
• AKC Breed Popularity Rank: 10th of 196
• Temperament: Affectionate, Sprightly, Tomboyish (yes, that is AKC’s description)
• Group: Toy Group
• Life Expectancy: 11 to 15 years

Another smart yet small (and very cute dog) on the list! They are much known because of their glossy and dainty floor-length coat. Not to mention that Victorian ladies adored them as a lapdog. While it is so minute, it is also bold and courageous and they were even used as ratters in mines and mills. Not only are they very functional but they can also be trained in sports. While all these are impressive and top-notch, most dog owners simply love them because of their charming personality.

9. Cairn Terrier

• Origin: Scotland
• Height: 10 inches for a male and 9.5 inches for female
• Weight: 14 pounds for a male and 13 pounds for the female
• Intelligence Rank: 35th of 137
• AKC Breed Popularity Rank: 69 of 196
• Temperament: Alert, BusyBee and Cheerful
• Group: Terrier Group
• Life Expectancy: 13 to 15 years

Do you know Toto? Dorothy’s dog in The Wizard of Oz? It is a Cairn Terrier!

As a terrier and with their love to dig earth, they were bred to hunt pests in Scottish farms. While very small, they are very assertive and fearless when on the job. They are very purposeful and energetic too; with this obedience training must be employed at once. Do not worry, this energy-filled dog is also obedient thus they are well-loved.

10. Toy Fox Terrier

• Origin: England
• Height: 8.5 to 11.5 inches
• Weight: 3 to 5.7 pounds
• Intelligence Rank: 40th of 137
• AKC Breed Popularity Rank: 111th out of 196
• Temperament: Alert, Friendly and Smart
• Group: Toy Group
• Life Expectancy: 13 to 15 years

This brilliant dog was the Executive First Pooch of Herbert Hoover, former US President. Initially, this toy dog and a terrier dog in one were first bred to hunt foxes, mice and other pests pestering a farm. While it has such a history, it is also still a great choice for kids because they are very playful but never aggressive. It is also a great watchdog because their eyesight and sense of smell are very sharp! As with most intelligent dogs, they love to be busy with activities so give them something to train not just their physical bodies but also their minds.

Conclusion

All dogs need love and affection! But if you are to choose a portable-sized dog that is easy to train, go for this list of small and intelligent dogs. With them around, your household will surely be filled with lots of love and cuteness!