Give Them The Right Amount Of Exercise
Challenge their physical abilities, but dont over exhaust them! German Shepherds are highly athletics and need the right exercise routine to give them the best possible health and keep their minds from becoming bored.
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How Much Does A German Shepherd Cost
A German Shepherd puppy can cost anywhere between $1,500 and $4,500 . You’re then looking at about $85 per month, taking into account vaccines, neutering, food, vet bills, pet insurance, the usual equipment and accessories, and potential dog sitting, dog walking and boarding costs. Given the life expectancy of a German Shepherd, it represents a significant financial commitment.
German Shepherds Are Known As A Mouthy Breed
They tend to use their mouths as a hand thanks to that herding heritage. Its even right there in their name, ShepHERD. This mouthing behavior is natural, so expect your GSD to mouth you and chew anything that will fit inside your pets mouth. However, that doesnt mean you should let it go. What might be cute in your small puppy will get harder and stronger as your dog grows up. Training your dog not to chew your hand or the furniture is essential with this breed. Teach your German Shepherd to channel those instincts safely and appropriately.
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Corens Dog Intelligence Criteria
In 1994, Coren requested the help of 199 obedience trial judges from North America. Based on his criteria, the obedience trial judges evaluated as many dog breeds as they could. That said, his criteria for dog intelligence is as follows:
Despite the enormous response, not all dog breeds made the final cut. For instance: only breeds that received at least 100 evaluations qualified for Corens dog intelligence list. Rarer dog breeds did not have a big enough sample size to qualify.
In addition, only dog breeds recognized by the American Kennel Club and Canadian Kennel Club participated in the trials. In other words, no hybrid breeds participated despite their popularity. Not even the Goldendoodle had a shot.
However thanks to the overwhelming popularity of the German Shepherd in America, they easily met both requirement. Plus, GSDs are recognized as a distinct breed with every kennel club in the world. Thus, they participated.
The Smartest Dog Breeds
Jenna Stregowski, RVT has worked in veterinary medicine for more than two decades. Her veterinary experience ranges from routine wellness care and preventive medicine to emergency and specialty care, where she has performed duties ranging from specialized nursing to clinical administration. Jenna has been writing about pet care for over 10 years, including for publications like DVM 360 and DogTime.
There are plenty of smart dogs out there, but some breeds are especially known for their high levels of intelligence. Measuring intelligence in dogs is not an exact science. We tend to look at several abilities and compare them to stages of human development. Dogs are generally considered to have the intelligence level of toddlers. Several factors go into that determination, including word comprehension, reasoning and problem-solving capabilities, responsiveness to training, communication skills , memory, and ability to predict human behavior. The most intelligent dog breeds typically score high in all of these categories.
Here are 10 of the smartest dog breeds.
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Ranking The Intelligence Of A German Shepherd Dog
There are many ways in which to determine how a dog might be smart. Scientists and dog trainers have debated this very basis for decades. Regardless of the type of intelligence, there has been a consensus.
Science Alert has taken data from numerous resources to create their list of the most intelligent dogs.
The top tier or the most intelligent breeds take little time in learning new tricks and obey commands about 95 percent of the time, or more. Among this category is the German Shepherd, who is ranked as the third smartest dog in the world.
With such a high ranking, the German Shepherd has always been well known. Even if you dont see many out and about, you still understand what they look like. But where did these dogs come from? Does their history have anything to do with how smart they are?
From Puppyhood To Adult: How Smart Are German Shepherds
As early as 7 weeks and up to 12 weeks of age thinking capabilities in the German Shepherd puppy is fully developed. However, puppies need real-world experience to boost their mental abilities.;
This means between 7 through 12 weeks old is the time of a German Shepherd puppys most accelerated learning and consequently, the best time to teach them some manners. Research confirms that behaviors are molded and changed most easily throughout the time when learning happens most quickly.;;
Any basic, but not demanding or distressing training, along with exposure to new environments, sights, and noises during this time increases the puppys potential to learn. As exposure to real-world experiences progress, so does brain cells in the relevant regions of their brain.;
The significance of this early developmental phase with its possible life-altering links cannot be stressed enough for German Shepherd Dog owners. You must begin early training to make sure the German Shepherd Dogs intelligence is best served.
Find out how next
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Choosing The Smartest Dog For You
While these five breeds may be considered the most intelligent breeds, it doesn’t mean that there aren’t other smart breeds or dogs out there that are perfect for you. Dogs are very loyal pack animals that are looking to be taught how to act from their pack leader. If you’re willing to put in the time and training with your dog, any pup can be trained to do a number of incredible things. All it takes is some time, patience, love and training. So, if you’re in the market for a new dog, don’t hesitate to check out your local animal shelter, where many breeds can be found. These dogs are just looking for a loyal family willing to put in the time with them, and they will reward you for your love and affection by showing you just how smart they can be.
What Is A German Shepherd’s Temperament Like
There is no doubting a German Shepherd’s intelligence, but with that comes a high level of confidence and a good amount of aloofness. Since these dogs tend to be loyal and protective, they are generally wary of strangers. That makes them a perfect watchdog, but their suspicious and reserved nature can make them feel unfriendly towards guests. Even so, with training, they make great, loyal family pets, and if you introduce them to other animals and children early they’ll get along extremely well. Those bred in the US tend to be more calm.
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They Are Easy To Train
Obviously every dog is different, but in general German Shepherds are an easy breed to train. This is firstly because they are so intelligent and able to absorb new instructions really well. The entire history of the breed is built on providing services to humans, like herding sheep, guarding property, police service, military, sniffing out drugs and even firefighting! All of these roles require a high level of intelligence, adaptability, perseverence and alertness. As with all dog breeds, its best to train them when their puppies, but of course this is not always possible. If this is the case for you then dont worry, due to being so clever, even an adult German Shepherd can easily be trained!
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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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.
The Popularity Of The German Shepherd Dog
The likelihood of the average person at least knowing what a German Shepherd looks like is relatively high due to their fame and formidable acts of service.
The iconic German Shepherd appearance, as presented by the American Kennel Club, is a dense straight coat with a mixture of black, tan, and brown coloration.
The ears are erect and the back generally slopes slightly downward. Overall, this breed takes on a noble and agile character.
But how popular is the German Shepherd to the public?
Intelligence is one of the ways in which dogs have been ranked. They have also been ordered by their overall popularity.
Readers Digest compiled data and found the German Shepherd to be the second most popular dog in North America. This is vastly due to their loyalty, intelligence, and hard-working nature.
German Shepherds have always been a top choice. Dogtime reveals that three out of the five most famous war dogs were this breed.
According to The Bark, a dog culture magazine, the first guide dog was a German Shepherd named Buddy.
This breed further proved its popularity in various media roles such as Rin-Tin-Tin and Bullet on the Roy Rogers show.
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Gsds Are Super Active
Therefore, so are you. Thinking of lounging on the couch? No way! German Shepherd owners know that wont happen until youve walked your dog, gone to the park, or provided some sort of exercise. This breed only thrives with enough regular exercise to burn off all that excess energy. If you dont give your GSD daily workouts, watch out. Your dog will get that energy out somehow, and most likely in ways you dont want. To be sure your German Shepherd is happy and a pleasure to live with, you will definitely get all the exercise you need too.
Dealing With Smart German Shepherds
German Shepherds are crazy smart, no doubt. But raising a smart dog breed isnt always ideal for every person. With higher intelligence, comes more responsibilities. Smarter dogs, like the GSD, will need extra care and attention.
Because German Shepherds are so intelligent, they require a ton of mental stimulation. It makes a lot of sense, as dogs with higher mental capacities need more mental activities. Without daily mental activities, GSDs may exhibit destructive behavior.
Mental stimulation can come in many forms, such as brain games, obedience training and dog puzzles. And while obedience training may seem to be the most obvious, not all owners have the time to provide hours of training a day. The solution: puzzles and toys.
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German Shepherd Dog: Breed Profile
German Shepherds are loyal, intelligent, and loving. Find out if they’re the right dog for you…
German Shepherds are intelligent medium-to-large sized working dogs. As well as being popular pets, they have found a strong place in the hearts of many professionals. Their ability to learn quickly and respond well to training is coupled with strength and loyalty. But since they love to play and are highly energetic and active, they do need care and attention: these are dogs that really don’t like to be left alone.
Once known as Alsatians, the dogs were originally used in Germany to herd and guard sheep. They were also bred for use in the German military, and they served in the trenches during the First World War, where they were able to assist wounded soldiers, carry supplies, and detect enemy movements. Returning soldiers were full of praise for the dog, and they became popular across Europe. Rin Tin Tin was rescued from the battlefield, and became a Hollywood star.
Life expectancy: 9 to 13 yearsAverage weight: 65-90lbs/30-40kg ;Female: 50-70lbs/20-30kgAbout the same as: a nine-year-old childExercise level: High
Gsds Provide Constant Companionship
In truth, German Shepherd owners are never lonely because their loyal canines are always by their side. Although GSDs are sometimes slow to warm to strangers, they are gentle and loving with their families. Their affectionate and dedicated personalities are a bonus of the breed, and they can be particularly fond of children. This means your GSD wants to spend time with you rather than being left alone all day, every day. Allowing your German Shepherd to be with you as much as possible will bring out the best in your dog.
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Measuring A German Shepherds Intelligence
German Shepherds are the third smartest dogs in the world. But how did we come to this conclusion? Who ranked these dog breeds based on IQ? The list of smartest dog breeds measures just one type of dog IQ: obedience & working intelligence.
This term was coined by canine psychologist, researcher and pHD Stanley Coren. Though this type of dog intelligence is not perfect, it still tells us a lot. In short, obedience and work measures how fast a dog can learn and retain information.
Sure, theres definitely a correlation between the speed of learning commands and intelligence. Even so, this favors breeds that enjoy working, such as the German Shepherd, more than others breeds that are meant for something else.
They Are Beautiful And Handsome
I think we can all agree that the German Shepherd has a very striking and powerful appearance! The way they carry themselves with strength and grace inspires respect and admiration all over the world. Sometimes you can even find them in uniform, which makes them even more handsome! There is also a lot of beauty in their variety, because they come in all sorts of color combinations. Black and Tan is the classic look, but you can also find black and red, black and gray, black and fawn, black and cream, light or dark sable, all black, and even all white. Also, their ears pointed up in alertness give them an extra smartness which is utterly irresistible.
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How To Handle German Shepherd Intelligence
A German Shepherd is not a dog for everyone. While they are friendly and loving to their families and ultimately loyal and protective, they also require a lot of time and energy to keep up with their intelligence and physical abilities. After all, the medium-sized dog is full of energy paired with a smart brain; that makes for a challenge.
So how can you make sure youre keeping up with your German Shepherd and giving them everything they need to be successful and use their brain and energy for the good?
Theres Never A Dull Moment
Life is never dull with a German Shepherd. They need a healthy amount of exercise at least 30 minutes a day so youll;enjoy lots of time outside playing, walking and moving around.
Theyre also smart cookies who love a good challenge and will look to you for daily mental stimulation.
Do you have a German Shepherd? If so, we want to hear what you love most about your dog! Let us know below.
Also, how cute is this German Shepherd dog mom mug? Such a cool way to show your pup pride.
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German Shepherd Dogs Are Known For Their Versatility
If you need any job done, just ask your dog. GSD owners understand their dogs were developed as working dogs and can do almost anything. In fact, the ideal German Shepherd has a body and gait suited to the hard work that is considered its primary purpose. This means your dog can excel at almost anything. From dog sports like rally, agility, or scent work to therapy work to guide dog work, German Shepherds can do it all. The only thing holding your dog back is the time and energy you can commit to training. Its no wonder people always think your dog is a service or police dog.
The German Shepherd Intelligence Ranking
If you’re a dog owner, then you probably know dogs are some of the most intelligent animals on the planet. They can learn simple commands you and I can come up with or sniff out bombs and drugs as part of security issues. Having said this, some breeds are smarter than others. In this article, we take a look at the German Shepherd intelligence ranking.
German Shepherds are smarter than you average dog. In fact, they are considered to be the third most intelligent breed. The first two? The Border Collie comes in first place followed by the Poodle.
Genetics
Why are German Shepherds considered to be so smart? The simple answer is genetics. The breed is believed to have been very intelligent to begin with, the luck of the draw if you will. Over the years, however, breeding techniques were used to emphasize and enhance the problem solving and learning ability of the dog. This breed is now so advanced intellectually that you see it commonly used in security and police efforts.
Examples
While German Shepherds are used extensively in security matters, they are also the dog of choice in other areas for another reason. Unlike Border Collies and Poodles, these dogs have a nice combination of good size and temperament. Border Collies can be excessively hyper and Poodles can be downright mean, which makes both a bit difficult to use in high stress situations.
What are some examples of intelligent conduct by Shepherds? How about:
Should You Get One?
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