Despite their rather small demeanour, terriers will fill up the house with their energy and love of life. There is plenty of fun to be had with a terrier by your side, but before committing to a life together, here is what you should know about these beloved dog breeds.
Terrier dog breeds are truly enthusiastic about life. They generally have a lot to say and a lot to see, but their diverse backgrounds make room for a lot of variety in their personalities and behaviour. If you think terrier breeds are a match for you, here is what to expect, in a nutshell. In This Article
Have you ever looked into those bright, alert eyes of a terrier and wondered just how much is going on behind them? As a dog enthusiast who’s spent years researching different breeds, I’ve always been fascinated by terriers’ reputation for being clever little troublemakers. But are terrier dogs actually smart, or is it just their confident attitude that gives that impression?
The Truth About Terrier Intelligence
Terriers as a group actually rank quite impressively on canine intelligence scales. According to Stanley Coren’s famous dog intelligence rankings multiple terrier breeds appear throughout the list of 100 smartest dog breeds, with several placing in the top 50!
When I dug into the data from Dogbreedslist.info and TheSmartCanine.com, I noticed something interesting – terriers tend to be distributed across different intelligence categories rather than clustered in one specific area. This suggests that while terriers share certain traits, their specific intellectual strengths vary by breed.
Terriers in the Top Intelligence Categories
Some terrier breeds that rank particularly high include:
- Border Terrier (#30) – Described as independent and courageous workers who are also friendly at home
- Manchester Terrier (#43) – Noted as pleasant and happy dogs with wonderful personalities
- Airedale Terrier (#37) – Very sociable and outgoing, highly intelligent dogs
- Welsh Terrier (#100) – Spirited, alert, and very trainable
- Irish Terrier (#100) – Dominant, protective, and highly trainable
These terriers fall into the “Bright Dogs” and “Above Average Intelligence” categories, meaning they can learn new commands in 5-15 repetitions (bright dogs) or 15-25 repetitions (above average).
What Makes Terriers Smart in Their Own Way
Terrier intelligence isn’t just about obedience or learning commands. In fact, what makes terriers special is their well-rounded cognitive abilities that span different types of canine intelligence:
1. Working/Obedience Intelligence
This is what most intelligence rankings measure – how quickly dogs learn commands and how reliably they obey them. Many terriers show solid performance here, though they might not always top the charts. Why? Because…
2. Instinctive Intelligence
This is where terriers truly shine! Terriers were bred for specific jobs – mostly hunting vermin and burrowing animals. Their name even comes from the Latin “terra” meaning earth, because they would “go to ground” to hunt rats, foxes, and other creatures.
This work required:
- Problem-solving skills
- Independent thinking
- Persistence and determination
- Quick reflexes and decision-making
When a terrier seems “stubborn,” they’re often just showing the independent thinking that made them successful working dogs!
3. Adaptive Intelligence
This refers to a dog’s ability to solve new problems and learn from past experiences. Terriers tend to be curious and resourceful, always exploring their environment and figuring things out.
I remember my neighbor’s Jack Russell who figured out how to open the refrigerator door by jumping up and hanging from the handle until it opened. Not exactly what his owners wanted, but definitely smart!
Terrier Breeds and Their Intelligence Rankings
Let’s look at where various terrier breeds fall on the intelligence spectrum according to the combined data:
| Terrier Breed | Intelligence Rank | Category |
|---|---|---|
| Border Terrier | 30 | Above Average Working Dogs |
| Airedale Terrier | 37 | Above Average Working Dogs |
| Welsh Terrier | 100 | Average Intelligence |
| Irish Terrier | 100 | Average Intelligence |
| Soft-coated Wheaten Terrier | 63 | Average Intelligence |
| Cairn Terrier | 51 | Above Average Working Dogs |
| Kerry Blue Terrier | 52 | Above Average Working Dogs |
| Yorkshire Terrier | 34 | Above Average Working Dogs |
| Australian Terrier | 47 | Above Average Working Dogs |
| Wire Fox Terrier | 51 | Average Intelligence |
| West Highland White Terrier | 88 | Average Intelligence |
| American Staffordshire Terrier | 48 | Above Average Working Dogs |
| Bull Terrier | 66 | Fair Working/Obedience Intelligence |
| Staffordshire Bull Terrier | 94 | Average Intelligence |
| Jack Russell Terrier | 84 | Average Intelligence |
| Miniature Schnauzer | 12 | Excellent Working Dogs |
Understanding Terrier “Smartness” vs. “Trainability”
One thing that confuses many people is that intelligence doesn’t always equate to easy trainability. Terriers are the perfect example of this distinction.
Most terriers were bred to work independently, making split-second decisions while hunting without constant human direction. This means they developed strong problem-solving skills but also a certain stubborn streak.
When training a terrier, you might find they understand what you want perfectly well, but they’re evaluating whether your request makes sense to them! This isn’t a lack of intelligence – it’s actually a sign of their cognitive processing.
As one terrier owner told me, “My Scottie knows exactly what I want him to do. He just sometimes has better ideas!”
The Real-World Smarts of Terriers
Beyond formal intelligence rankings, terriers demonstrate their smarts in everyday situations:
- Escape artists: Many terriers are masters at finding ways out of yards and enclosures
- Hunting prowess: Their ability to track, locate and capture prey shows remarkable spatial awareness
- Problem solvers: Terriers often figure out puzzles and challenges with minimal training
- Emotional intelligence: Many terriers are quite attuned to their owners’ emotions
- Memory: Terriers typically have excellent memories for people, places, and routines
Are Some Terrier Breeds Smarter Than Others?
Based on the data, there is definitely some variation in cognitive abilities between terrier breeds:
-
Top tier terrier intellect: The Miniature Schnauzer ranks incredibly high at #12 overall, making it the smartest of the terrier breeds according to obedience intelligence
-
High achievers: Border Terriers, Airedale Terriers, and Yorkshire Terriers all rank in the top 40
-
Middle of the pack: Most terriers fall in the “average intelligence” category, which isn’t bad at all – they’re still capable of learning all necessary commands with some patience
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Lower ranking terriers: A few terriers like the Bull Terrier rank lower on obedience intelligence, but this doesn’t mean they lack intelligence in other areas
Living With a Smart Terrier: Blessings and Challenges
If you’re considering bringing a terrier into your life, here’s what to expect from these smart cookies:
The Perks of Smart Terriers
- They learn household routines quickly
- They’re entertaining and often have big personalities
- They can master tricks and games that challenge their minds
- They tend to be alert watchdogs
- They’re usually good at reading human emotions
The Challenges
- They get bored easily and need mental stimulation
- They may find creative (and destructive) ways to entertain themselves
- Training requires consistency and positive reinforcement
- They can be too clever for their own good (learning to open doors, cabinets, etc.)
- Their independent nature means they might challenge your authority
Keeping Your Smart Terrier Mentally Stimulated
Since terriers are generally smart cookies, they need plenty of mental exercise. Here are some ways I’ve found to keep terrier brains engaged:
- Puzzle toys that dispense treats when solved
- Hide and seek games with toys or treats
- Scent work activities that tap into their natural hunting instincts
- Agility courses (even makeshift ones in your backyard)
- Rotating toys to prevent boredom
- Training sessions that teach new tricks and reinforce old ones
Final Thoughts: Yes, Terriers ARE Smart!
After diving into all this data and information, I can confidently say that terriers are indeed smart dogs, though their intelligence might manifest differently than in breeds like Border Collies or Poodles.
Terriers possess a special kind of practical intelligence – they’re resourceful problem-solvers who can think independently. This made them excellent working dogs historically and makes them engaging (if sometimes challenging) companions today.
If you’re looking for a dog that will keep you on your toes with their clever antics while providing loyal companionship, a terrier might be your perfect match. Just be prepared to match wits with a dog that’s always thinking!
What’s been your experience with terrier intelligence? Have you noticed your terrier figuring things out in surprising ways? I’d love to hear your stories!
Is a terrier breed right for you?
There are a few things you need to be aware of before having a terrier join the family.
Despite their size, a terrier will be surprisingly active and enjoy almost as much dog exercise as you want to give them. They do need at least an hour’s exercise a day.
As well as taking your small dog for on-lead pavement walks to explore urban areas, your terrier breed will also enjoy lots of off-lead running in safe areas – be it chasing balls on a beach or scurrying after squirrels and birds in parks and woodlands. Walking Terriers can turn into an unexpected adventure – try and protect them by teaching good recall, but don’t be surprised if your dog doesn’t always listen when mid-chase!
Keep walks varied – these bright dogs enjoy new environments and smells where they can explore the undergrowth, dig and let off steam, so the more they can do it during exercise, the more satisfied they will feel later.
Tug-of-war is usually greatly enjoyed by Terriers; their strong jaws and a determination make them formidable opponents despite their size, but be careful to play gently with dachshund breeds because their long backs can be sensitive. Only adults should play this with these types of dog to avoid potential accidents – even a small, friendly Terrier can pull over a child or accidentally nip a hand when over-excitedly grabbing a fun tug toy.
Many terrier breeds and dachshunds are also very bouncy and love chasing and jumping at moving objects. Try blowing bubbles for them to pop – great fun for everyone, especially for children who get to combine blowing bubbles with playing with their pet. Alternatively, use a bubble machine made especially for dogs to blow meat-flavoured bubbles if you want to amuse them while you get on with other chores. These can be purchased online and from some pet stores.
Many terriers look on dog training with amusement and few are traditionally obedient! Some find training classes too stimulating and find it hard to concentrate around other dogs and people – and so owners need to find a trainer who understands this and can provide them with the right kind of environment while they are learning to focus on their owner. They are however smart and intelligent, and with an owner who understands them – and has both patience and a sense of humour – they can do surprisingly well.
Although your terrier breeds or dachshund can be well socialised and trained to have good manners, they may be unlikely to back down if another dog picks on them, despite the fact they’re physically small! With this in mind, recall training should be practised regularly to ensure you can always get your dog’s attention, and you should remain vigilant on walks for potentially difficult situations with unknown dogs.
It may be a good idea to train terriers to shush. Terriers are quick to react to callers or unusual noises with a warning bark. Some are more reactive and persistent than others, and teaching a good response to the requests ‘Speak’ and ‘Shush’ is very useful for a quiet life! If you teach a Terrier to bark when asked, it will not only mean they can have a good ‘shout’ when it’s convenient for you both, such as outside on a walk, but also that you can quieten your dog more easily when they bark indoors.
Many Terriers and Dachsunds enjoy sitting on a deep windowsill or other piece of furniture and simply watching the world go by. If your dog is quick to bark, however, you might want to restrict their ability to see outside so as not to overstimulate them, and to teach them to be quiet on command – this will make the home environment calmer for both of you.
On occasions when you can’t adequately exercise your Terrier or Dachshund outdoors, training exercises and games such as hiding treats around the house will help to prevent boredom, as well as being a bit of fun too.
Terriers are bred to work alone and so many can become problematic with other dogs if they are not well and positively socialised. To be successful, dog socialisation should be ongoing and carefully managed.
Terrier breeds generally love their own family but can take or leave other people – and some do not have much tolerance for children and the associated noise and running around. The different breeds – and individuals within the breeds – vary widely however and some are far softer and more tolerant.
Most terriers have a rough harsh coat that is weather-proof and fairly easy to keep clean and tidy. Some will have coats that need regular stripping to keep in good condition and coat care should be discussed with the breeder.
Don’t expect your terrier to be quiet – and while some terrier breeds aren’t quite so talkative, others will require you to have very understanding (or distant) neighbours. Training should include teaching your terrier to have an ‘off-switch’ and a terrier-savvy reward-based dog trainer can help you with this.
This varies widely across the terrier breeds – some are very affectionate and are almost lap dogs at home, while others don’t have much patience at all for physical displays of affection but are still just as bonded to their owners. All owners should spend time teaching their terrier puppy to enjoy being handled and groomed to prevent future touch sensitivities.
Terriers love dog games! Especially ones that involve playing with their owner tugging and digging. Interactive toys that allow them to rip and tear (even kibble or treats in an empty cardboard kitchen towel tube will do) will help keep their natural instincts satisfied and help improve the owner/dog bond.
The natural instincts of terrier dog breeds
Terriers instincts have been honed to perfection by successive breeding to locate and kill vermin quickly. Terriers who dont have to stalk or chase their prey (as they are in very close proximity) are specialists in watching and killing their prey, often with a single bite.
As this predatory behaviour is self-rewarding for dogs (ie it doesnt need an external reward such as a treat or praise), owners have to be aware that not only do their dogs enjoy carrying out these behaviours, they need to do them to stay healthy and happy. Often, these are also the behaviours they will resort to if they are bored, stressed, under-stimulated, excited – or just for fun.
This certainly doesnt mean you should encourage your terrier be the terror of the local rodent population but it does mean that training and games should be targeted in ways that simulate hunting in order to keep them happy, healthy and fulfilled as well as improve your bond.
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FAQ
How smart are terrier dogs?
Terriers are highly intelligent, but this intelligence often manifests as problem-solving, adaptive thinking, and a strong will, rather than just obedient working ability. While some, like Jack Russell Terriers, are quick learners, others, such as West Highland White Terriers and Bull Terriers, may appear stubborn because they prioritize their own decisions and can be less responsive in obedience training. Consistent, positive reinforcement is crucial for channeling their smarts and preventing them from using their cleverness to be mischievous.
Are terriers difficult dogs?
Terriers tend to be more stubborn than many other dogs. They are independent dogs who like to work as an alarm clock for you and they are known to not receive training as well as other dogs. They usually have high prey drive too so they tend to chase squirrels, rats etc.
What breed of dog has the highest IQ?
- Border Collie. Border Collies consistently top rankings for intelligence in dogs. …
- Poodle. …
- German Shepherd. …
- Golden Retriever. …
- Doberman Pinscher. …
- Shetland Sheepdog. …
- Labrador Retriever. …
- Papillon.
Why do people love terriers?
Terrier dogs are a high-energy group. Many of them are playful, affectionate, and love physical activity whenever they can get it. If you’re considering adding a terrier to your family, prepare for a loyal friend with tons of energy and personality.