Originally Posted by Teresa Ford  I think the question of dog intelligence is very interesting. I have discussed this with other trainers, breeders, and pet owners. I have studied animal behavior and been involved with selecting dogs for service training and therapy programs. I have my own theory about how smart Yorkies are.
If you ask are Yorkies intelligent on YT (clearing throat here LOL) you are going to hear many yes answers. How people answer also depends on the way that person defines intelligent. Many trainers think other breeds are easier to train than Yorkies, including Poodles, Labs, Dobermans, German Shepherds, Goldens, and Shetland Sheep dogs. But trainability does not necessarily mean intelligence. Self motivation and problem solving skills may be a better indication of intelligence. In this category the Border Collie, Australian Shepherd, Airedale Terrier, Kerry Blue Terrier, and Collies excel. Herding dogs are usually born with strong instincts intact. They have the ability to work for and with humans. Shepherds can work alone, watching, guarding and moving their herd. Most people I have talked with over the years, think this group of dogs is the most intelligent kind of dog. I am not so convinced.
I think about it like this, (excuse the generalized statements, I intend no put down to anyone) The smartest humans do very little manual labor. I mean they design the bridge, get the funding, manage the business that hires the contractor and so on. They don't usually shovel the dirt or push the broom. Why wouldn't it be the same in the animal world ?
I think Yorkies are brilliant. By being the perfect companion to people they get to really enjoy life. Our Yorkies have perfected their knowllege of human behavior. They can make the saddest puppy dog eyes, and have the most child like mannerisms. A tip of their silky head,a tiny paw on your hand, gets what they want. We rarely scold or deny them anything. We pay all the bills. We get their hair and nails done. They get the best food we can afford, expensive treats, toys, clothes and great preventive health care and state of the art treatment if they need it. We arrange our lives to accommodate their needs.
Yorkies are so intelligent they don't have to work. Kind of like being able to make money off the stock market. Yorkies don't have to pull a sled in the snow, chase sheep, retrieve a duck in icy water, pull a cart to market, or even chase bad people away. Yorkies discovered how to understand the human heart, and have perfected just what they need to do to make themselves indispensable. They love us and we love them, now I think that is pretty darn smart. |