If you’ve ever lived with a dachshund, you’ve probably asked yourself: are dachshunds smart or are they just really, really good at getting what they want? I asked myself that very question the first time my dachshund, Pretzel, figured out how to nudge the treat cabinet open with his snout. He didn’t do it once he did it every single morning at exactly 7 a.m., like clockwork. Was that genius? Stubbornness? A little of both? The answer, it turns out, is more nuanced than most dog owners expect.
So let’s dig into the real science, the rankings, and the quirky truth behind dachshund intelligence because asking are dachshunds smart deserves a much bigger answer than a simple yes or no.
What Does “Smart” Really Mean for a Dog?
Before we can answer are dachshunds smart, we have to understand how canine intelligence is actually measured. Dog intelligence isn’t one-dimensional it’s a layered concept shaped by three distinct types:
- Instinctive Intelligence — the ability to perform tasks the breed was originally developed for
- Adaptive Intelligence — problem-solving, learning from experience, and environmental awareness
- Working & Obedience Intelligence — how quickly and reliably a dog follows human commands
The most referenced study on this topic comes from Dr. Stanley Coren, a professor of canine psychology who published The Intelligence of Dogs in 1994. Coren gathered data from obedience trial judges at the American Kennel Club (AKC) and the Canadian Kennel Club (CKC), collecting over 199 breed evaluations. His findings became the gold standard for ranking dog breeds by intelligence.
The key takeaway? Are dachshunds smart according to Coren? Yes but with important asterisks.
Where Do Dachshunds Rank on the Intelligence Scale?
According to Coren’s landmark study, dachshunds rank #92 out of 138 dog breeds in working and obedience intelligence. This places them in the “Average Intelligence” category a label that sounds underwhelming until you understand what it actually means.
Dogs in the average intelligence group can:
- Learn a new command in 25–40 repetitions
- Obey a known command on the first attempt with 50% or better accuracy
So when people ask are dachshunds smart, the data says they sit comfortably in the middle of the pack not at the top, but far from the bottom.
Here’s how dachshunds compare to other well-known breeds across intelligence tiers:
| Intelligence Tier | Breeds Included | Command Learning Speed | First-Attempt Obedience |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brightest Dogs (Top 10) | Border Collie, Poodle, German Shepherd | Under 5 repetitions | 95%+ success rate |
| Excellent Working Dogs | Schnauzer, Cocker Spaniel, Weimaraner | 5–15 repetitions | 85%+ success rate |
| Above Average | Corgi, Pomeranian, Brittany Spaniel | 15–25 repetitions | 70%+ success rate |
| Average (Dachshund) | Dachshund, Husky, Great Dane, Boxer | 25–40 repetitions | 50%+ success rate |
| Fair Intelligence | Chihuahua, Maltese, Pekingese | 40–80 repetitions | 30%+ success rate |
Interestingly, breeds like the Husky, Boxer, and Great Dane share the same intelligence tier as dachshunds and nobody questions whether those dogs are smart.
The Real Reason Dachshunds Ranked Lower Than Expected
Here’s where the story gets really interesting. When you ask are dachshunds smart, you have to factor in the biggest variable of all: stubbornness.
Dachshunds weren’t bred to obey. They were bred to hunt. Specifically, they were developed in Germany to track and pursue badgers underground independently, without guidance from a human handler. That solo, problem-solving mission is hardwired into every dachshund alive today.
So when a dachshund “ignores” a command, it’s not because they didn’t understand it. Research shows that are dachshunds smart enough to understand the command perfectly they simply weigh the reward against the effort and make their own call. That’s not ignorance. That’s independent thinking.
Dr. Coren himself acknowledged that his methodology primarily measured obedience and working intelligence, leaving out instinctive and adaptive intelligence entirely the two areas where dachshunds genuinely shine.
Where Dachshunds Actually Excel: Instinctive Intelligence
Are dachshunds smart when it comes to their original purpose? Absolutely. Their instinctive intelligence is remarkable.
Dachshunds were engineered to:
- Follow scent trails with extraordinary precision
- Navigate underground tunnels their low, elongated bodies were literally designed for it
- Make independent decisions in the field, without a hunter’s input
- Bark strategically to signal prey location to their human partners
These are cognitively demanding tasks. The fact that dachshunds still exhibit these behaviors today tracking smells on walks, digging obsessively, barking at perceived threats shows that their instinctive intelligence is fully intact.
For anyone exploring breed-specific behavior in depth, our Dachshund Guides cover the full spectrum of doxie traits, from hunting heritage to modern temperament.
Adaptive Intelligence: The Hidden Superpower of Dachshunds
If you’re still asking are dachshunds smart, adaptive intelligence is where doxies truly surprise people.
Adaptive intelligence measures a dog’s ability to:
- Learn from past experiences
- Solve new problems on their own
- Understand cause-and-effect relationships
- Read human emotions and routines
Dachshunds consistently score high in this area. Many owners report their dachshunds doing things like:
- Figuring out child-proof latches and cabinet doors
- Recognizing words like “walk,” “treat,” and “outside” without formal training
- Manipulating both humans and other dogs to get what they want
- Learning household routines and anticipating them
According to Professor Coren, roughly 51% of a dog’s intelligence stems from genetics, while 49% is shaped by their environment. That near-even split means that how you raise and stimulate a dachshund matters enormously. A well-stimulated dachshund can punch well above their ranking.
My Personal Take: Are Dachshunds Smart or Just Sneaky?
I’ll be honest when I first learned that dachshunds rank #92, I laughed. Because Pretzel had already taught himself to ring a bell I’d hung on the door to signal when he needed to go outside. I’d read about the technique, tried training it for one afternoon, and then largely forgot about it.
Pretzel didn’t.
Three weeks later, he was ringing that bell on his own not because I drilled him, but because he watched, absorbed, and connected the dots. That’s adaptive intelligence in its purest form. So when someone asks me are dachshunds smart, I tell them this: they’re not the easiest dogs to train, but they may be the most clever dogs to live with.
Brain Size vs. Brain Function: Does It Matter?
One common misconception is that a dachshund’s small brain limits their intelligence. Science disagrees.
- A miniature dachshund’s brain is approximately 70–80 cubic centimeters
- A standard dachshund’s brain reaches 120–130 cubic centimeters
But brain size alone is not a reliable indicator of cognitive capability. Anyone asking are dachshunds smart based on skull size is missing the point entirely. Research confirms that all domestic dogs have a similar neuron density, giving them roughly equal capacity for learning and comprehension regardless of skull size. So are dachshunds smart because of brain size? No and they don’t need to be.
Training a Smart but Stubborn Dog: Practical Tips
Understanding are dachshunds smart is only half the battle. The other half is working with their intelligence, not against it. Here’s what actually works:
Use Positive Reinforcement Dachshunds respond exceptionally well to reward-based training. Food motivation is particularly powerful use high-value treats for new commands.
Keep Sessions Short Attention spans can be short. Ten-minute training bursts beat hour-long sessions every time.
Be Consistent Use the same commands, same tone, same signals every time. Inconsistency confuses even the most willing dachshund.
Leverage Their Prey Drive Hide treats in puzzle toys or use sniff games. Tapping into their hunting instincts makes learning feel natural and fun.
Never Use Punishment Harsh corrections make dachshunds shut down or rebel. Patience earns loyalty; punishment earns resistance.
A recent behavioral study found that dachshunds responded positively to positive reinforcement and rewards-based instruction and also demonstrated advanced socialization skills compared to several breeds in the “excellent working dogs” category.
You can verify breed-specific training guidelines and intelligence standards directly through the AKC.
Are Dachshunds Smart Compared to Other Popular Breeds?
When people ask are dachshunds smart relative to other popular dogs, context matters. The Husky, Boxer, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Great Dane, and Havanese all share dachshunds’ “average” ranking yet all are beloved for their cleverness and personality.
The breeds that outrank dachshunds in obedience like Border Collies, Poodles, and Golden Retrievers were selectively bred for hundreds of years specifically to follow human instruction. That’s a different evolutionary job description than a self-directed badger hunter.
So are dachshunds smart compared to a Border Collie? In obedience terms, no. In problem-solving and independence? They’re in a completely different league.
Final Thoughts
So, are dachshunds smart? The honest answer is: it depends on what you value in canine intelligence. If you want a dog that follows every command on the first try, a dachshund may frustrate you. But if you want a dog that thinks for themselves, reads your emotions, solves problems, and keeps you on your toes a dachshund is one of the smartest choices you can make.
Their ranking of #92 tells only part of the story. The rest is written in every unlocked cabinet, every self-rung bell, and every perfectly timed soulful stare that gets them exactly what they wanted all along. People who once questioned are dachshunds smart quickly change their minds after one week with a doxie.
Are dachshunds smart? You be the judge.
FAQ: Are Dachshunds Smart?
Q1: Are dachshunds smart enough to be trained easily?
Yes. Dachshunds are intelligent dogs, but they are also independent thinkers. With patience, consistency, and positive reinforcement, they can be trained successfully, although they may require more repetition than breeds known for high obedience.
Q2: Why do dachshunds rank so low on intelligence lists?
Traditional dog intelligence rankings focus mainly on obedience and working ability. Dachshunds were originally bred to hunt independently, so they excel in instinctive and adaptive intelligence rather than repetitive obedience tasks, which explains their lower ranking on many lists.
Q3: Are miniature dachshunds smarter than standard dachshunds?
No. There is no scientific evidence showing that Miniature Dachshunds are more intelligent than Standard Dachshunds. They share the same breed characteristics, instincts, and cognitive abilities, differing primarily in size.
Q4: What are dachshunds naturally good at?
Dachshunds are naturally skilled at scent tracking, problem-solving, exploring independently, reading human emotions, and adapting to new situations. These abilities reflect their strong instinctive and adaptive intelligence.
Q5: Can I improve my dachshund’s intelligence through training?
Yes. Regular mental stimulation through puzzle toys, scent games, obedience training, and positive reinforcement can strengthen your Dachshund’s problem-solving skills, confidence, and overall cognitive development.
