Myth or fact?

[Semaru]

A friend of mine, proud (and really quite proud) owner of a Golden Retriever and a Labrador cross, learned that I had adopted two terrier cross and during our discussion pointed out that small toy dogs are unintelligent and only yelpy, while large dogs are more intelligent, learns commands quickly and don't bark so much.

When I heard this I of course thought it's just a silly presumption but giving it more thought I was thinking...small toys like Pekingese, Pugs and Chihuahuas don't really give the image of a smart dog. Just can't picture them doing the tricks that you'd otherwise associate with Alsacians and Retrievers. (Miniature Schanzuers should be quite smart aren't they?) I guess the high-pitched voices of small dogs do make their barking less bearable than their low-pitched, large-sized counterparts.

Looking at my own small dogs, I see one which is a reasonably smart and sensible bag of fear and anxiety, while the other does seem a bit thick (and filled with steroids)

Anyone has a small breed that's really intelligent?

 

[juliefurry]

I wouldn't say that small breeds are less intelligent. Small breeds just tend to be more stubborn and like to do things there own way. I have seen quite a few extremely intelligent toy poodles who know multiple commands and they are a small breed. Lots of larger breed dogs, like labs, are more known for really wanting to please and obey their owners.

 

[oriondw]

Myth there are a bunch of dumb big dogs as well

Obviously there are differences in the intelligence of dogs, but it more depends on type of dog i.e. Terrier, poodle, greyhound, herder, etc.

A herder will be much much smarter then a greyhound

Your dog isnt any dumber then his dog, I think terriers are one of the smartest groups of dogs actually.

 

[joce]

The diffrence is the people who get small dogs. They treat them like toys and they never learn anyhting. the toys that are trained are not yappy and neurotic.And there are large stupid yappy dogs too.

 

[vanillasugar]

Myth. The only reason I think most small dogs appear "dumb" is because most people don't bother doing any training with them and let them get away with everything. I've met some VERY smart yorkies, and then there are the ones that get carried around in girls purses all day, and don't even get properly housetrained. I met a Minitature poodle the other day that was going through to be a hearing dog (the ones that aid people who are deaf).

And like Oriondw said, there are some MIGHTY thick big dogs

 

[Julie]

Don't let your friend worry you in the least!!!!

In my experience small dogs are harder to housebreak, but that could also be due to less of a mess for cleaning up and therefore are not trained as diligently (sp) as a larger dog with huge more noticable messes.

As for being smart and learning tricks...........it is not the size of the dog!!! It is more of what the owner puts into it. A Terrier is quite capable of learning lots of things. But first, before you expect anything from your dogs, they have to be comfortable and adjusted to their new home. Don't expect jumping thru hoops yet.........just give time and let them learn to trust you. Then teach the jumping thru hoops.

And tell your friend to bug off, you saved two lives from a shelter.......You should be proud of yourself. Just think about their previous lives, probably unimaginable.

Keep up the good work, and keep posting and looking for tips from people that have already been through what you are going thru.

 

[thewhitewitchone]

Haha! Do not mistaken spoiled, stubborn or independant for stupid! I have a small dog (pug/rat terrier) and she is extremely smart. She has trained us very well.

Pam

 

[Doberluv]

Myth. Dogs are all smart. Some are smart in one area while others are smart at something else. My little boy Chi mix is very, very bright and quick to learn. My little girl Chi is smart enough. LOL. I showed her the weave poles in my agility course and she got onto it right away. You know....they use Chihuahuas in circuses. They learn all kinds of nifty tricks, so they can't be too stupid. Some breeds are quicker at obedience type stuff because they were bred to work closely with their masters. Like my Doberman. He's very quick on the uptake. Some are better at tracking like Bloodhounds because their noses are better and the way they're designed. So, intelligence is a relative thing, I think.

 

[fillyone]

Saw some great Papillons running an agility course at the Rose City Classic in January.

Some depends on what the dogs were bred for. Some small dogs were bred to be companion dogs (many of the toy breeds) some were bred as ratters (many of the smaller terrier breeds).
Some depends on a dog's desire to please. I know a trainer that quit doing obedience with GSDs because she got tired of them "thinking things through first" and now has Goldens because they're smart and often more willing to please without working it out first. (I love Goldens by the way)
Some depends on the owner and their own skills as a trainer.

So, nope size/brains don't go hand in hand.

Just my .02

 

[fillyone]

My little girl Chi is smart enough. LOL. I showed her the weave poles in my agility course and she got onto it right away.

Saw a great agility run by a Chi at the Rose City Classic. Totally had the spectators behind him!!

Barb

 

[Mordy]

Myth.

A dog is as smart as the owner trains him/her to be. The more you work with your dog, the smarter he will become.

I know a lady who owns a Chihuahua and shows him in obedience and agility. And the advanced obedience group practicing before the intermediate group I'm in at my club has 2 Papillions, a Toy Poodle, a Bichon, and a Havanese in it, and these little guys do just as well as the traditional obedience breeds in the group (GSD, Rottie, Dobie, etc.).

 

[Doberluv]

I agree Mordy.

There was a little Pom in my obedience class. That dog was stupendous!!! So cotton pickin cute and she went through her paces absolutely flawlessly, looking at her owner intently and waiting further instructions. She was really good. Her name was Gwen. I love that.

 

[Doberluv]

Barb, that must have been pretty cute watching that Chi. They're so tiny and boy are they quick. When she runs hard, she's a blur. LOL. I really should work with mine more when the snow is gone. I put Chulita on the teeter totter and I didn't think she'd be able to weight it down, but she did. It went down really slowly though. LOL. She can leap up onto the couch like it's nothing, so she could jump those jumps easily. They put them really low for the little dogs. I started her on some really low ones and she thought she was sooooooo cool. But I really haven't worked with her much. So, this spring....

 

[Shadowkins]

Haha! Do not mistaken spoiled, stubborn or independant for stupid!
Pam

Couldn't have said it better myself!

 

[Doberluv]

LOL! That's so true. When we get missled by spoiled, stubborn or independent....we have to ask ourselves who is really the stupid one? LOL.

One of my Arabian horses was very intelligent, higher intelligence than your average horse, even smarter than your average Arabian horse. They tend to be higher intelligence anyhow. Her wheels were always turning. She was so much more difficult to train than a horse of average intelligence. LOL.