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How Intelligent Is A German Shepherd

Which Is Right For You

Most Intelligent Dog German Shepherd || Better Than Humans. Dangerous ?

Choosing between the German Shepherd and the Goldendoodle can be tricky. Both breeds have unique personalities, physical features, and temperaments.

In the end, the best breed for you and your household depends on your preferences.

Both the German Shepherd and Goldendoodle are fairly high-maintenance, loyal breeds.

The primary differences between them are potential activity levels and availability. German Shepherds may be more excitable and action-oriented than Goldendoodles.

Additionally, it may be a challenge to find Goldendoodles, as theyre a relatively recent hybrid that is often available in small numbers.

German Shepherds, on the other hand, are far more plentiful. However, the look and temperament of the Goldendoodle make it a unique and desirable designer dog.

As such, youll need to answer the following questions before choosing one of these two dogs. Youll need to ask:

  • How much time do I have to play with my dog and ensure it gets plenty of exercise?
  • How much time do I have to groom my dog and ensure that their hair/fur is properly brushed?
  • How much time do I have to be affectionate with my dog and help them feel loved and comfortable?
  • How willing am I to deal with serious health conditions associated with large-sized dogs?

In the right home, either of these breeds would be a dream come true and a real addition to the family. However, both breeds require fairly consistent grooming, watchful feeding, and tons of exercise.

They Are Not An Officially Recognized Breed

The Old German Shepherd Dog is not officially recognized by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale nor the American Kennel Club but is instead considered merely as a GSD variant. The authenticity of these dogs as a separate breed is thus highly controversial, although breeders are working hard to have the Old German Shepherd Dog recognized and accepted as a separate breed. These dogs are incredibly rare nowadays and may even be in real danger of extinction, so finding one in the United States is difficult.

What Makes A Dog Smart

Coren evaluated breeds’ levels of intelligence based on instincts, obedience, and ability to adapt. But pet behavior specialist Sarah Hodgson says it’s all relative. “Some are social and emotionally dependent on people, so they are easier to train and far more receptive to our vision of what they should do,” she says. “But they have little intuitive smarts.”

One example is a hound, because although they’re not receptive, they have superior senses of sight and smell. Similarly, terriers might not take direction well, but they have excellent hearing.

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Additional Interesting Facts About German Shepherds

The intelligence of German shepherds did not occur by accident many early breeders prized intelligence more than any other factor when developing the breed. But, German shepherds are more than just smart dogs they are fascinating in some ways.

For example:

  • Because they are so easy to train and well-behaved, many German shepherds have starred in movies and TV shows .
  • German shepherds are one of the most popular breeds in the world, and the American Kennel Club reports that they are the second most popular breed in the US.
  • German shepherds often exhibit relatively clear and visible secondary sexual characteristics, which makes mature males look distinctly masculine and females distinctly feminine.
  • German shepherds of different sexes also differ regarding size. Males grow larger than females do, and they typically measure between 24 and 26 inches in height at the shoulder, while weighing 85 to 100 pounds. Females usually reach heights of between 22 and 24 inches and weigh 70 to 90 pounds.

As you can see, German shepherd dogs are brilliant, and this underscores most aspects of their behavior and personality. Given their combination of intelligence, beauty, and loyalty, it is easy to see why they are so loved by trainers, handlers and families alike.

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German Shepherds In The Military

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Military units the world over choose the German Shepherd Dog for its amazing ability to thrive in complex environments.

German Shepherds are generally reserved for Specialized Search Dogs, which are a distinct class of dogs trained to work off-leash at long distances from their handler in order to detect explosives. They work by hand signals, and in the United States Marines can also receive instructions through radio receivers they wear on their backs to communicate with their handler.

If youre wondering how intelligent are German Shepherds as a military dog, then consider these military facts about German Shepherds

According to an information sheet from the military working dog unit , two of the most common breeds in the military are the German Shepherd and the Belgian Malinois, which have the best overall combination of keen sense of smell, endurance, speed, strength, courage, intelligence, and adaptability to almost any climatic condition.

German Shepherds are so highly intelligent they are still a top choice for protection work and have served in World Wars as one of the most popular dog breed choices for military duty.

Thus, the GSD is a chameleon capable of responding under high-stress expectations during times of war and other peace-keeping missions. This intelligent dog is a life-saver in times of battle and puts their life first before their handlers.

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Top 10 Reasons Why You Would Want A German Shepherd

German Shepherds are a relatively new dog breed with origins that can be traced back to 1899. Although it is a new breed, German Shepherds are now one of the most popular dog breeds worldwide. In the United states, German shepherds ranks as the second most popular dog breeds of 2016. In fact, German Shepherds have many talents and desirable traits which make them the best dogs that every household should own.

Working Dogs Or Those Dogs That Work As Gun Dogs Have Much Higher Health Care Costs Than Do Those Dogs That Just Stay At Home

As working dogs, these dogs require special diets, vaccines, and much more. Malinois and German shepherds make up three of the five most commonly used working dog breeds in the United States. The Belgian Malinois and the German shepherd make up two of the four most common working dog breeds in the U.S. today.

The Malinois has lower health care costs than most other working dogs, and they cost less to raise as well. These factors alone help to make the Malinois one of the most popular dog breeds in the working world today. On the other hand, the German shepherd has been bred down so far that the German Shepherd is one of the most difficult working dogs to find. The German shepherd does cost more to feed, but it is still much lower than the malinois. If you are looking for a dog that has high intelligence and loves to please, then the Belgian malinois may just be right for you!

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How Smart Are German Shepherds Compared To Humans

Every dog is different, just like us, and there are several kinds of intelligence. So, it is hard to rank somebodys intelligence as a whole, whether theyre human or otherwise, let alone compare with other species.

That said, we know that humans and German Shepherds make great working companions in the most high-pressure situations so we must be a pretty good match!

German Shepherds Are Highly Adaptable

How Intelligent Are GERMAN SHEPHERD

Part of the reasons why German Shepherds are popular is because they are adaptable to any kind of lifestyle and living situation. Homes with a large yard is ideal for German Shepherds, but they can easily adapt to apartment living as long as they get enough exercise. If you are planning to get a German Shepherd, you dont have to adjust your current lifestyle, it can easily adjust itself and suit your lifestyle.

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Are There White German Shepherds

German Shepherds are bred in the United States in a variety called the White Shepherd. The coloration gained popularity in North America and in 1969 a breed club for white German Shepherds with the name White Shepherd was formed.

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They Are Highly Intelligent

The standard GSD is widely considered the third most intelligent dog on the planet! This is according to the book The Intelligence of Dogs by neuropsychologist Stanley Coren, who assessed over 100 dog breeds. The top-ranked dog breeds were able to learn commands in five repetitions and obey them 95% of the time or better. The GSD came third after the Border Collie and Poodle. Since the Old German Shepherd Dog is the ancestor of the modern GSD, they will likely have a similar intelligence ranking.

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There Are Two Types Of Dog Intelligence

Dog intelligence is divided into two separate varieties. There is instinctive intelligence that consists of a dogs natural ability thats inherent to a breed. This is the type of intelligence that makes German Shepherds good protectors, Bloodhounds good sniffers, and Border Collies excellent herders of sheep.

Then theres a type of dog intelligence called adoptive intelligence. This is nothing more than a dogs ability to learn. Adoptive intelligence includes socialization, learning to carry out tasks, and understanding human language. A German Shepherd, like any dog, can do better at one type of intelligence that the other.

Its easy to test your dogs intelligence by using an online dog IQ test. Whether you have a German Shepherd or another type of dog, this type of test can give you a general idea as to how smart your dog is. Just be sure to follow the directions and have fun watching your dog figure out some things using nothing but his brainpower!

German Shepherd Vs Pitbull Temperament

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Both breeds have some similarities and some differences when it comes to their temperament. They are both extremely intelligent and hard working dogs. GSDs are known for their smarts and ability to train. Pits excel in performance type events because of their intelligent nature. Both of these breeds are also confident and strong.

The main difference between their temperament is their attitude towards strangers. GSDs make excellent guard dogs because of their wariness around strangers. Pits on the other hand are friendly with everyone including strangers. Because of this, American Pitbull Terriers arent a top choice for guard dog.

GSDs are also full of energy compared to the Pit which has a moderate amount of energy. It doesnt take as much to keep them happy.

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What Is The Best Living Environment For German Shepherd Terriers

Due to their double coats, German Shepherd Terriers prefer cooler climates, although they will be able to handle moderate ones. However, you should never leave them alone outside in cold weather. And, in the summer, make sure that they stay indoors.

During the warmer months, avoid taking your dog outside to exercise during the middle of the day. They may be prone to overheating. Instead, only exercise them in the early morning or early evening.

Although these pups are only of mid-size, they arent always a great option for apartments. If they have prominent Terrier genes, their energy and tendency to run around may make such a space feel too constrained for these dogs.

In general, it is best to house these dogs in a mid-sized home with a backyard. If you do have a garden or backyard, be aware that these pups can be prone to digging and this behavior is quite difficult to curb.

You may be better off training your dog to dig in just one area. Furthermore, you may end up with quite an escape artist on your hands. If this is the case, you will need heavy-duty fencing to prevent your pup from running away.

Smart Toys For Smart German Shepherds

Personally, I think smart toys and dog puzzles are great! Theyre perfect for those that cant spend hours a day with their GSDs. With that said, here are my favorite dog puzzles.

One of my dogs all-time favorite is the StarMark Bob-A-Lot. Its an interactive bobble toy that requires your German Shepherd to tilt it a certain way to release his favorite treats.It comes with 2 chambers so you can put your dogs meal and treats inside. For your German Shepherd, make sure to get a size large. If youre interested, I highly recommend checking it out at Amazon.

A dog puzzle that my dogs absolutely love is the Nina Ottosson Dog Puzzle. There are 3 variations, but I went with the Hide n Slide.Its a challenging puzzle where your German Shepherd needs to move the sliders to reach his favorite treats. Put in a few of his favorites and hell be all over it! I suggest you take a look at Amazon here.

There are a ton of fantastic puzzles and toys thatll help with your German Shepherds mental stimulation. If not what I recommended, I suggest you get them something.

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What Do German Shepherds Look Like

German Shepherd dogs are furry dogs with rough outer coats. It is one of those dog breeds that is more suited to colder regions than the hotter ones. The male of this large sized dog breed can weigh up to 95 pounds or more. The most common color of the long haired German Shepherd is black and tan but there are sable German Shepherd, blue German Shepherd, white German Shepherd, and a solid black German Shepherd. German Shepherd colors can be solid, bi-color, or saddle markings. There are also different varieties of short hair German Shepherds, like the plush coat, and the very-short coat variety.

The king German Shepherd was developed in the USA by combining other big dog breeds like the Akita with the German Shepherd. No matter what size, this breed of dog needs a lot of mental and physical stimulation and a lot of exercise. German Shepherd facts for kids can be a great way to introduce them to this breed of dogs before bringing one home as a pet. Rin Tin Tin, the legendary rescued male German Shepherd, made this dog breed more popular compared to other similar big dog breeds. A Hollywood movie has been dedicated to the life of Rin Tin.

German Shepherds Are Obedient And Easy To Train

How smart IS a German Shepherd with GSM

German Shepherds have high intelligence, thus they can be trained for various purposes. German Shepherds are obedient, making them easier to train compared to other dog breeds. Not only do German Shepherd perform well in task training, obedience training wouldn’t be any problem for them as well. They will listen and obey to your commands.

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How Smart Are German Shepherds

A lot of people from the US and Canada are interested in how smart dogs are.

According to the findings of a recent language development test the average dog has the mental abilities of a 2-year-old. In terms of ranking, the top three are Border collies, Poodles, and then German shepherds.

But when it comes to training, German Shepherds are considered to be the best. Police and special forces use them almost exclusively.

Border Collies and Poodles might be more intelligent, but they are not as trainable as GSDs.

Is Your German Shepherd Smart

The experts tell us that German Shepherds are smart, but what do the owners say? We believe the best way of gauging a dogs intelligence is by asking the owners themselves.

So, we surveyed the popular GSD Subreddit and other online dog forums for real answers from real owners. Heres what they had to say about the question.

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The History Of German Shepherds

As his name suggests, the German Shepherd originated in Germany, where he was created in the nineteenth century primarily by Captain Max von Stephanitz, who wanted to develop a dog that could be used for military and police work. The result was a dog that encompassed striking good looks, intelligence and versatility.

The adaptable and attractive dogs soon drew the attention of dog lovers in other countries. While Rin Tin Tin is the most famous of the early German Shepherds, he was not the first to come to the United States. One is known to have been brought to the U.S. in 1906, and the American Kennel Club registered a German Shepherd in 1912. The following year, people interested in the breed formed the German Shepherd Dog Club of America.

World War I put a dent in the breeds burgeoning popularity because the dogs were associated with the enemy. German Shepherds braved artillery fire, land mines and tanks to supply German soldiers in the trenches with deliveries of food and other necessities.

After the war, movies featuring Rin Tin Tin and fellow German Shepherd Strongheart brought the breed back into favor. American audiences loved them. For a time, the German Shepherd was the most popular breed in the United States.

These days, the breeds star is rising again. Current AKC rankings place him second only to the Labrador Retriever.

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