This sounds terribly familiarWe have a Dachshund named Tilly, and she is the smartest dog I have ever owned! Of course she thinks that she is a Doberman which gets her into some tough spots sometimes because she won't back down from any dog regardless of its size or breed!
Beautiful dog.I have some friends who've had them.But they kept them outside.Another buddy of mine had Samoyed's.After a snowfall,he'd call out for them,and their heads would pop up from under the snow.They loved the cold weather.