Today, we live in a smart world where nearly everything is intelligent and smart. If our homes and offices are smart, why shouldn’t our pets be as well? We also want our pets to be smarter in every way, such as following your instructions or performing other useful tasks. The first question that should come to mind while discussing German Shepherd dogs is how smart they are.
German Shepherds are 3rd smartest dog breed because of their work and their obedience training level. Because of their high IQ, they are better at communication, quick learner, and can understand the feeling of their owners.
They also remain a favorite breed for police dogs and military exercises because of their high intelligence, and ability to learn commands more quickly than other dogs. All this signifies that German Shepherds are a very intelligent dog breed that can be good for family or service workers.
This post is fully dedicated to German Shepherd’s intelligence as you will be able to understand:
- Why are German Shepherds so smart?
- Are they among the smartest dogs?
- Their intelligence level
- How are German Shepherd dogs smarter than humans as well as other dogs?
As a dog lover you will not regret if you are willing to own this breed, let’s explore this topic and discuss it in detail:
Table of Contents
Why Are German Shepherds So Smart?
German Shepherds are always known for their courage, power, loyalty canine intelligence, and athleticism. They also are among the smartest dog breed, which is why they remain a favorite for adoption in families and service workers. But here is the thing to know why are they so smart?
German Shepherds are smart because initially people used this breed for herding and protecting their livestock as they needed high intelligence levels to perform their tasks. They have a great sense of smell and the instinctive intelligence to protect their owners from upcoming dangers.
They are also quick learners and can please you by following commands more efficiently than other breeds. Researchers also claim that German Shepherds are among the smartest dog breed, however, the intelligence level may vary among other dogs.
Being a German Shepherd owner you must be observing the smartness of your dog but German Shepherd intelligence is determined in many ways, let’s explore some of their qualities:
Ability to learn commands quickly
The dog’s ability to learn basic commands very quickly makes German Shepherds the smart dog breed for all the communities. They easily pick the new commands that their trainer wants them to learn, however, their learning ability depends on their IQ as well as practical performance.
German Shepherds undoubtedly fall into the group of highly clever and intelligent dog breeds, but it’s also crucial to develop their mental abilities when they are still very young because it’s been noted that training an adult German Shepherd may be rather challenging.
Good sense of Smell
German Shepherds are known for their great sense of smell, they are blessed with 225 million scent receptors that allow them to track the scent from the farthest distances. Only Bloodhounds have more scent receptors than German Shepherds as they have over 300 scent receptors.
Their ability to track scents also makes them smarter most of the time, so they remain favorites for military or police exercises. They are among the very brightest dogs among dog breeds because they have excellent smell receptors that enable them to quickly identify potential threats.
Good communications Skills
German Shepherds can easily communicate with their owners, as the breed who are quick learners they easily receive information. However, the communication skill will depend on how well you have trained your German Shepherd.
This also means German Shepherds can’t be compared with other dogs, they all can communicate well with their owners but it all depends on how well your dog expresses to you.
Ability to protect their owners
German Shepherds are herding breeds known for their courage and protective instinct. They are always eager to protect their owners observing any dangers approaching them because they were originally bred to for herding sheep which also shows their nature to protect them.
German Shepherd’s protective and instinctive intelligence also makes them smarter as they also have a high level of energy and the most important thing to consider is they are very loyal to their owners. Considering the factors to detect threats or intruders makes them the smartest dog breed that every dog lover wants In their family.
Ability to solve tracking puzzles
Every dog breed has different IQ levels but with a high IQ level German Shepherd is often found among the smartest breed, you can test their IQ level by hiding some treats, observing them, and the time is taken by them to find them.
You’ll discover that your German Shepherd needs less time to complete tasks than other dogs, making them a smarter dog breed. They will enjoy searching for these tracking puzzles and appreciate these kinds of gestures.
Are German Shepherds the Smartest dogs?
German Shepherds have always been placed as a very special dog breed and they remain a favorite for most dog lovers. We also as dog owners always want to have the very smartest dog breeds, I mean to say they must be the most intelligent dogs to do all the supposed work without any discomfort. But here the main question is are German shepherds the smartest dogs?
German Shepherds have been ranked 3rd for their intelligence as per Coren’s ranking, and yes, they are smarter than many other dog breeds. AKC also represent this dog breed as the smartest one as they learn new commands on the first go. They gave great focus and have all possible stamina to protect their owners and follow obedience always.
If we look at their history they were initially bred for herding and protecting the livestock and they used their high adaptive intelligence to perform this task in a skillful manner that also allow them to be smarter most of the time. However, some dog breeds are smarter than German Shepherds.
Only Border Collies and Poodles have been characterized as the two smartest dog breeds respectively as per their intelligence level. If we talk about being less smart, they are not quick learners, leading them to be less obedient.
You can also understand it through some examples: Beagles, Bloodhounds, Basset Hounds, Shih Tzus, Chow Chows, and Pekingese can be less smart as compared to German Shepherds. All these breeds are somehow tough to teach obedience in less time. They need repetitive instructions for learning the commands.
How To Know If A German Shepherd Is Smart?
Now you know German Shepherds come under the category of smartest dog breed and if you are owning this intelligent breed then you must be enjoying their company but at the same time you must be eager to know how to tell if your German Shepherd is smart.
There has been much research done to observe German Shepherd’s intelligence that also proves their intelligence level let’s also look at some of the skills as you will be able to know your German Shepherd is smart up to the mark.
Observing escaping time
This step allows you to look for the ability of your German Shepherd while solving tricky puzzles problem-solving or freeing themselves from any situation that can make them uncomfortable. This activity can boost their mental ability, so it’s also better to train them to counter such situations.
However, the process of repetition must be done regularly as this allows them to follow the commands and learn all the processes for long period. You can also allow your dog to learn the following process:
- Allow your dog to sit when you give him the sit command.
- Put some sheets over the face of your dog.
- Allow your dog to remove the sheet by themselves.
- Provide some rewards if your dog successfully does the job.
You can also determine their speed for their successful training as when they learn the process they should do the job in lesser time.
The finding of Treats
This is also the best technique to boost the mental ability of your dog as it teaches them to find some object from a hidden place. German Shepherds have also got a great and keen sense of smell as you can take a towel for this for the scent. The treat must be big and visible so that they can find it easily.
You can also teach your dog by providing them with this technique that is:
- Teach your dog to sit first.
- Keep the treat in front of them.
- Put some towel after sniffing them.
- Tell your dog to find the treat.
- Provide sufficient time for finding.
You should not be frustrated if your dog does not follow the command at once as you can repeat the process. Once your German Shepherd is trained they will easily find the treat.
Remember German Shepherds have got great scent receptors that allow them to find the hidden object more efficiently.
The Inconspicuous Outlier
This is the best technique to boost the intelligence of your dog. This process contains nothing but some treats with one to two cups that you can double for tricks. In this training you can follow the given command for your German Shepherd:
- Allow your dog to come in front of you.
- Keep some treats near them.
- Put a cup over the treat.
- Keep one of two cups of the same design.
- Drag the cups and shuffle them.
- Allow your dog to find the treat.
You should be patient with your dog as they need time to learn the process. You can also go with the repetition approach so that they get proper training for such type of technique.
Practical Treasure Hunting
The most exciting technique is to boost the intelligence level of your German Shepherd but it requires proper space where your dog’s intelligence can easily reach without any difficulty. In this process you should try to do:
- Stand near your furniture.
- Allow your dog to come near you.
- Keep the treat under the furniture.
- Tell your dog to find it.
Remember to do this type of technique in a spacious area as your German Shepherd may hurt themselves if they find it difficult in small places.
Calculate The IQ Of Your Dog
This will be the final phase where you give points to your dog after observing all the activities they do successfully. This type of activity also allows you to determine the intelligence level of your dog. In this technique you can calculate the IQ of your dog as you can also do it by following the given steps:
- Do all the activities and add points for each to test their intelligence level.
- Determine the total of activities performed by them and divide its points.
- Calculate their points as per their performance level.
- If your dog is less performer you should be patient and they need training.
- Multiply their average point to get the approximate result of their IQ.
If your German Shepherd can get the point you fix for them, they need more training. However, patience will be important for all the activities you want your dog to perform and repetition of the steps will be very important to get the exact result.
How To Make Your German Shepherd Smarter?
As dog owners, we want our dogs to be smart enough to learn all the activities more easily so that living with them becomes easier. No doubt German Shepherds are among the smartest dog breed but what if they lack a little bit of smartness?
Not all German Shepherds are intelligent by birth but proper training and physical activity make them smart enough than other dog breeds. Most of them may face some challenges to get obedience intelligence up to the mark to be smarter than popular breeds.
It’s up to dog owners to make them smart and boost their intelligence so that they can do the job at one call and follow all your commands. Remember untrained German Shepherds will find it difficult to do the job and follow successfully and obey you.
Let’s not worry as there are a few steps you can follow to make your German Shepherd smarter:
1. Train your German Shepherd to follow all your command in one call
When you initially bring a young puppy home, it could have some training issues, but after you start training them, it will start listening to you and obeying all of your orders. You can start training them when they are very young as this is the age they learn all the things more efficiently.
2. Start Training Your German Shepherd To Do the Home Job On Their Own
This dog training move also boosts the intelligence level of your German Shepherds when you do a lot of activity for them as it also helps in their mental or physical growth.
You can also take the help of a dog trainer that provides the best technique to train your dog more effectively.
3. Choose the Right Exercise For Your Dog
Plenty of exercises for dogs are responsible for making them smarter. However, choosing the right exercise is crucial that also allows exhausting their energy at the right place.
German Shepherds are also a very energetic breed and the right exercise provides them the best healthy life as they never get bored which is also good for their mental health.
4. Giving Right Chew Toys
Chew toys are also highly helpful for your German Shepherd dog in their growing phase. This type of toy helps them in their biting phase so choosing the right one will be crucial. This will be the best way to train your dog to be calm as this lets them engage to choose the right one that is non-toxic and does not affect their health.
5. Provide sufficient Mental Exercise
There are various games available that provide them with better mental exercise as it will highly beneficial for their mental growth. Puzzle games or other brain games keep their mind sharp and allow them to think broader.
Also Read: Why Is My German Shepherd So Lazy? 10 Important Facts To Consider!!!
What Are the Benefits of Having A Smart Dog?
We want our pets to be smarter so that it must be easy to live with this little friend and do all the jobs with positive behaviors that we teach more effectively. If you are willing to have a dog in your home then you must know the benefits that you will get.
Here are some of the benefits of having a smart dog in your home:
1. Easy To Handle
A smart dog is always easy to handle since they are intelligent, they obey all your commands at one call. They will easily adapt to the environment and protect their owners more skillfully. Because of their intelligence, they easily differentiate the mutual talk with their owners.
They also show less excitement as compared to other dog breeds. The main point to note is that they easily note your feelings and facial expressions as they will easily communicate with you.
2. Easy To Train
All dogs require proper training lessons to be good house dogs but with German Shepherds, there is no such difficulty in training as they have got the natural skill to learn all the commands that their owners try to teach them.
You should also note that your German Shepherd can easily differentiate between the tone of commands and actions. That may be the reason German Shepherds have been considered the best guard dogs over the years.
3. Learn Tricks Easily
With their versatile mind, German Shepherds learn all the tricks more efficiently. They can even learn things through videos but teaching them with the manual technique will be more effective. German Shepherd pups lack such stamina so it’s important to train them from a very young age.
4. Provide Fewer Problems
Smart dogs easily follow the home rules as they know where to pee or poop once trained. They easily know the discomfort of their owner so it will be easy for you to handle them in odd situations.
Nonetheless, if you observe any disrespectful behavior on their part, you should warn them straight away so that they are aware of their poor conduct. They are quick learners and will obey you as soon as they learn the command, therefore you can penalize them for such behavior.
5. Remain A Good Family Dog
A smart dogs will always be good with their owners as well as their family members. They remain active most of the time and protect their owners from any type of threat approaching them as they have a great sense of smell.
They are also familiar with the human child, so there is no danger if you are having a baby in your home. They may even act as guardians and protect him as well. If you want more detail about this topic you can read “are German Shepherds good with babies.”
What Are The Drawbacks Of Having A Smart dog?
Smart dogs are always great pets than ordinary ones, they provide great comfort to pet lovers but what about their drawbacks? There are certain drawbacks that you can face also.
Let’s look at some of the drawbacks that you can face after having a smart dog:
1. Unsatisfaction With Other Dog Breeds
One of the major drawbacks of having a smart dog is you can’t be fully satisfied if you are willing to have an ordinary dog breed as they will not go through your expectations.
However, from my point of view, I do not think it’s much of a problem, anyone can buy any dog breed. All dogs will require proper training lessons to fit into your family environment.
2. Requirement Of Regular Mental Exercise
Smart dogs will require plenty of mental stimulation and exercises to develop their mental skills so this may be one of the drawbacks that you may face. The intelligent dog breed is a quick learner but it does not tell us that they require less mental activity.
If you are having a smart or clever dog, then you must be assured to provide them with plenty of mental activities to keep them engaged or boost their intelligence level.
3. Can Develop Under stimulation If not Entertained
A smart dog can easily develop under stimulation if you do not spend much time with them. If they are not entertained they can also develop bad behavior as every dog breed needs attention from their owners.
All you need to know every dog breed needs a lot of love and attention from their owners whether they are smart or ordinary. So guys try to spend more time as you will always enjoy their company.
Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs):
Q1. Are German Shepherds intelligent?
Yes, German Shepherds are always among the intelligent dog breeds because of their trainability, quick learning abilities, and doing specific tasks efficiently. Because of their intelligence, they were they are also a favorite for military and police work.
Q2. How Smart are German Shepherds compared To humans?
German Shepherds are a very intelligent dog breed but when we compare them to humans they do not possess the same level of intelligence. Though dogs can perform complex tasks once trained their cognitive abilities are not on par with those of humans.
It would be quite difficult to make a direct comparison between the intelligence of dogs and humans. So it would be safe to say that humans are much smarter than dogs.
Q3. What is the top 5 smartest dog?
The intelligence of dogs can be measured in different ways, and there is no single definitive ranking of the smartest breeds. However, based on their ability to learn, problem-solve, and perform tasks, the following breeds are often considered to be among the smartest:
- Border Collie: These canines are quite trainable and well-known for their extraordinary herding prowess. They are quite clever and do well in training for agility and obedience.
- Poodle: Poodles are very clever, trainable dogs that perform admirably in a range of sports, such as obedience, agility, and tracking. Also, they are well-known for having a hypoallergenic coat, which makes them a popular option for allergy sufferers.
- German Shepherd: German Shepherds are good police and military dogs because they are highly clever and have a strong work ethic. They are well-suited to training and are also well-liked as household pets.
- Golden Retriever: These dogs make great family pets since they are highly clever and eager to please. They are frequently used as assistance dogs and excel in obedience and agility training.
- Doberman Pinscher: Dobermans are exceptionally smart, vigilant, and devoted dogs that perform exceptionally well in a range of tasks, including obedience, tracking, and protective duties. They are popular as domestic pets as well as frequently utilized as police and military dogs.
It’s important to remember that regardless of breed, each dog is an individual with unique strengths and weaknesses. In addition, a dog’s temperament, energy level, and other qualities are vital to take into account while picking a pet in addition to intellect.
Q4. What dog has the smartest IQ?
When discussing a dog’s IQ, it is inaccurate to compare it to that of an average dog or a human. The typical dog’s intellect has been the subject of multiple studies, and particular breeds have consistently fared well in these tests.
Professor of psychology at the University of British Columbia Stanley Coren carried out one of the most well-known investigations on canine intelligence. According to their working and obedience dog intelligence used, Coren polled dog obedience judges and ranked a variety of canine breeds. His research’s top five species were:
- Border Collie
- Poodle
- German Shepherd
- Golden Retriever
- Doberman Pinscher
Final Thoughts:
It’s always a pleasure to have an intelligent dog breed in our home and if you are owning a German Shepherd then you must be enjoying their companionship as they are smart enough to be the best pet at your home.
German Shepherds also come under the category of intelligent dogs so it’s always easy to train them for various purposes. Even though they are very intelligent like many dog breeds they will also require actual training lessons and mental activities and once trained they provide you with actual service.