iNtElLiGeNt?????

[MI Yorkielover]

Sophie is so smart!! She knows so many words and phrases that we had to spell words we didn't want her to pay any attention to. Then she learned how to spell, too
Love Jackson's video. He doesn't seem as stubborn as some yorkies i've known. You did a great job with him Brit

[Smokey2011]

My first impression of the vid is how HANDSOME Jackson is... (I guess I'm a tad shallow) Since Smokey is now just a 'hair' over teapot status at 7 months, I can see him looking like Jackson when he is finished growing. I love Jackson's cut, and certainly, he has to be the smartest dog in Maryland. Looks and smarts.. what a winning combination.

Smokey on the other hand, though still in that gauky stage, is already the smartest dog in these parts because he has me trained to dispense treats without tricks since he already figured out that I'm a sucker for a pretty face.

[sarahjmiller51]

Hahahaha!!!!! Smokey2011!!! That's funny!

[yorkieusa]

Originally Posted by yorkietalkjilly

Most dog people who know the breed say they are very intelligent, quick to learn but a bit on the - shall be say - stubborn side about many things.

That's an understatement!lol

[yorkieusa]

Originally Posted by Britster

Jackson thinks he's intelligent:

Jackson, Worlds Smartest Yorkie - YouTube

But, no, really, he's the smartest dog I've ever had (growing up with a Golden Retriever and a German Shepherd, as well as being around other breeds all my life). My dad always says the same thing... he just picks up things sooo fast, he's very in tune to what us humans are doing, he understands so many words, phrases and things, we often have to spell stuff, lol. He is a thinker- I can see his little wheels turning in his head when he gets an idea. He remembers everything. If something bad happens once, he won't forget it.

This can get him into trouble too. His mind needs to be occupied a lot, he's not one to just lie around, and he likes to work for things. Just today, he was hungry and he actually carried his food bowl all the way from the kitchen to the living room to tell me he wanted food, LOL!

Somehow I missed that video, but I had to tell you I loved it and I think Jackson is the world's smartest yorkie!

[dinkyweil]

Honestly, Dinky is a smart little guy, but sometimes he acts not so smart. I have joked with my DH that Dinky has to rely on his looks to get him by sometimes!

[shawnzeppi]

Originally Posted by Teresa Ford

I think the question of dog intelligence is very interesting.... ...Self motivation and problem solving skills may be a better indication of intelligence.

...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...

Outstanding post!!! I fully get your point, although you may be accused of a little anthropomorphism. I have often thought along these lines, too. Yorkies may not be the smartest breed when compared to some of the working dogs like the Australian Sheppard, but they are so cute they get what they want from us humans, and we are a team after all. I dont think our Yorkie friends would make it in the wild for long depending on their brains and physical ability. Of course, we humans are to blame for their diminuative size in the first place, but my guys do seem to think they are much bigger and tougher then they really are, which can get them into trouble if I'm not careful.

Gatsby seems very intelligent in some ways, e.g., he will go get his favorite toy and drop it in front of me when its time to play fetch, or he will get me to show off that he went on the pee pad and deserves a treat (I did not teach him this stuff, he just did it). It's actually hard to teach him basic commands such as "shake" or "roll over", mostly becuase he seems to be stubbern and does not like to put himself in those awkward postiions (he's not stupid). On the other hand, my first Yorkie Pippin learned the basic tricks in no time. I am convinced that he was no smarter than Gatsby, becuase he did not do smart things on his own, but he was MUCH easier to train; he knew ~30 commands in his prime. Part of that was personality and part was that he was more nimble (no luxating patella to deal with). I would bet these differences in individuals are much more important than breed differences in any case.

[Jacksmom052709]

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.

Very well said!!!! :thum bup: