Bichon Frises are self-assured and enthusiastic dogs who get along nicely with other dogs and children. They are smart, highly trainable, and learn new commands quickly. They are said to have a “middle-of-the-road” level of intelligence.
Bichons may not be the smartest dog breed, but they love learning and are eager to please. Like an average dog breed, the Bichon Frise’s intellect is comparable to that of a two-year-old human toddler. They can learn up to 165 words, while some of the most intelligent dog breeds can learn around 250 words.
Certain dog breeds may resemble Bichon Frise in appearance, but they are way smarter than Bichons. If you are in love with Bichon’s fluffy white coat but want a more intelligent breed, these pooches may be a good fit for you.
Have a look at these 10 dog breeds that are smarter than the Bichon Frise.
Dog Breeds Smarter Than Bichon Frise
1. Havanese
Having traces of Bichon DNA in their genetic makeup, Havanese appear quite similar to them. The Havanese is the national dog of Cuba, having gorgeous long hair that requires lots of grooming. They are extremely smart and loving.
Their desire to stay with their humans all the time has earned them the title of “Velcro dogs.” Both Havanese and Bichons require half an hour of daily exercise, but Havanese are relatively more energetic.
Havanese also live a little longer than Bichons. They are exceptionally affectionate and make a good choice for first-time owners due to their small size and moderate exercise needs.
2. Bolognese
Bolognese is one of the smartest dog breeds, having an adorable white coat that makes them resemble a Bichon Frise. However, Bichons are bigger dogs with more muscles and bones. While Bichons have a thick double coat, Bolognese have a single coat of non-shedding woolly fur.
Both breeds have a similar temperament, but Bolognese are calmer and require less exercise. The American Kennel Club describes the Bolognese as a witty and intelligent breed. Like Bichons, Bolognese are also playful, alert, and happy dogs, but Bichons are relatively more energetic.
Bolognese behave nicely with others and can’t get enough of their people. Both Bolognese and Bichon Frise are easy to train, but Bolognese can get distracted easily.
3. Lhasa Apso
The Lhasa Apso is a clownish and fun companion who makes a great family pet. Originally bred to work as watchdogs and pets in Tibetan monasteries, these pooches are recognized by their long and thick coat, which keeps them warm in freezing temperatures.
Lhasa Apsos are one of the smartest dogs with an independent or stubborn streak, unlike Bichons. They excel at obedience and agility competitions and possess exceptional problem-solving skills, thanks to their history as watchdogs.
However, Lhasa Apsos are not very open to new people unless they feel their owners want it, whereas Bichons are more people-oriented. One of the ancient dog breeds, Lhasa Apsos, is a yappier dog, and its silky fur requires more grooming.
4. Coton de Tulear
The Royal dog of Madagascar, Coton de Tulear, looks like a walking cloud on Earth. These sweet-natured fellows are one of the smartest dogs known for their ability to learn quickly and their pleasing personality. Being friendly, affectionate, and outgoing, Cotons make great therapy dogs.
This rare dog breed has a wavy and profuse coat compared to Bichons, which have a tightly curled coat. Cotons have a relatively longer life span as well. According to PetMD, they can stay with you for a good 19 years. Unlike the Bichon Frise, a low-shedding breed, their coat sheds a lot.
However, shedding can be managed with frequent brushing and regular grooming. A Reddit thread comparing the two breeds explains that Cotons are smaller in size and friendlier than Bichons.
5. Shih Tzu
This highly intelligent breed is known for its playful nature, eager-to-please temperament, and striking long coat. A Bichon’s coat color varies between the shades of white, cream, and apricot. On the other hand, Shih Tzus can have white, red, black, gold, and silver colored coats.
Shih Tzus are smarter than Bichon Frises, but have a more laid-back and calm demeanor. They are more high-strung compared to Bichons. Being good at learning new commands means that Shih Tzus excel at agility competitions.
Both Bichons and Shih Tzus have a similar personality and hypoallergenic coat. However, Shih Tzus are brachycephalic, which makes them a little different from Bichon Frise.
6. Maltese
These adorable white dogs are one of the most popular toy breeds out there. Sometimes, Maltese can have tan or lemon markings around their ears. Maltese are playful and comical like their Bichon Frise cousins, but Maltese excel in intelligence.
Maltese are blessed with excellent problem-solving skills, an affectionate nature, and emotional sensitivity, making them ideal for therapy work. Despite all similarities, Maltese slightly differ from Bichons in size, historical background, and temperament.
Smaller than Bichons, Maltese is an old dog breed that was used to hunt rodents. Comparatively, the Bichon Frise is a more recent breed. Maltese make better watchdogs than Bichons.
7. Miniature Poodle
Poodles rank second in the AKC’s list of the smartest dog breeds, so they definitely outshine Bichons in intelligence, as mentioned by the American Kennel Club. Both Bichons and Poodles have a thirst for learning and responding well to a variety of situations.
Poodles have excellent problem-solving abilities and excel at dog sports like agility, obedience competitions, and tracking. Miniature Poodles are more active and athletic canines despite their small size and are well-suited for active families.
Miniature Poodles are more aloof compared to friendly Bichons. They also have a slightly longer life span than the Bichon Frise.
8. West Highland White Terrier
Affectionately called Wesites, these sturdy and tenacious pooches are known for their high prey drive. At the same time, West Highland White Terriers are social, gentle, and affectionate dogs. Westies are highly intelligent and not as needy as a Bichon Frise.
Westies love adventures and follow their owners everywhere. Compared to Bichons, Westies are somewhat more reserved towards strangers. Westies also differ from Bichons in appearance; their signature cute pointy ears make them stand out.
Westies are more energetic than Bichons and have higher exercise needs. PDSA recommends an hour of exercise for these doggos every day.
9. Border Collie
The uber trainable Border Collie ranks the highest in canine intelligence. Being the most intelligent dog breed on the planet, they outshine all other breeds, including Bichons, in problem-solving skills and emotional intelligence. These energetic dogs require plenty of physical and mental stimulation to stay fit.
Border Collies are larger in size than Bichons and vary in coat color as well. A Border Collie’s coat can range from black and white to red, brown, sable, and merle.
Do You Know? A smart Border Collie, named Chaser, was able to learn more than thousand words, reports BBC.
The members of this breed make excellent companions and excel in obedience competitions. However, unlike the low-shedding and hypoallergenic Bichons, Border Collies shed moderately.
10. German Shepherd
Distinct from Bichon Frise in appearance, German Shepherds also make the AKC’s list of smartest dog breeds. So, it not only surpasses Bichons in intelligence, but many other dog breeds as well. This highly intelligent herding dog has been serving as a service dog for years.
Having excellent problem-solving abilities, a confident personality, and lots of courage, German Shepherd dogs excel at search and rescue missions. They make excellent companions and provide emotional support to their owners with their comforting presence.
Compared to a Bichon, GSDs have strong protective instincts and are more reserved towards strangers. They are larger in size and require plenty of exercise for physical and mental stimulation. Watch the adorable Bichon and GSD having fun together:
Conclusion
Dog intelligence, along with its size, is an important factor to consider if you are planning to adopt a dog. Some dog lovers want to opt for a fluffy and cute small dog like a Bichon Frise, but if you want a smarter breed, you can adopt one of these pooches.
Several dog breeds resemble Bichons in appearance or temperament, but are way smarter. They differ from Bichons in many aspects, like coat color, coat texture, size, energy levels, exercise needs, and shedding levels.
However, one point that needs to be highlighted here is that all dogs are unique in their traits. You may choose a pet depending upon your own personal preference and attend to its specific needs in order to develop a strong bond with your lovely companion.
