Observations I have seen in my pup. - Page 1

Since joining our family back in October...we have been taking the pup to socialization class and to basic puppy obedience ( I believe it is more for the owners, than the pups).  Since attending the classes over the last 7 weeks or so...I have observed the following. 

There are two other shepherds that also attend class and when they are off leash for play time...they usually end up playing amongst themselves, ignoring the other pups. They may on occasion allow the Cane Corso to join them; but its usually just the three shepherds (there are about 7-9 dogs in attendance).  There are also two lab/mix pups in the class and when they start running laps around the outer area... there is not a puppy that can keep up with them.  The other breeds will give chase and then give up.  The shepherds chase for a bit, then they usually stop, look at where the labs are heading, then intercept them, in the most direct route.  Its almost like they are assessing the situation overall and come up with the best plan of action to take.  I have pointed this out to the other owners and they were a little taken back (they never really notice).
My wife was telling this to her sister, who owns a 2 year old shepherd and she commented that when she heads to the dog park..the shepherds that are there are usually playing amongst themselves and show little interest in the other breeds that are present.

Has anyone else noticed this type of behaviour?

Yep, people think I'm crazy when I say it but I think GSD's prefer their own kind for whatever reason.

My pup also started pursuit tracking (running toward where he thinks a moving object will be rather than chasing it directly) in rag work early on.

Yeah, THAT's why we are GSD fans on this forum.  Cute little brain-boxes, 
aren't they !

Indeed they are, HM; I've really grown fond of watching the little guy track...you can almost hear the gears turning!

I bet !  Give Jagger a  from me ?

Will do!

Yep they are smart socialize, excersise and exposure mine at sixteen weeks really likes pursuit tracking and working the tunnel as a short cut. My GSDs haven't asked for an i phone yet thankfully. 

All herding dogs have the built in programming to understand the best way to "intercept" their destination. It's hard to herd a huge flock of animals if your taking the long way to reach the other end. Hence the herd in ShepHERD. ;)

And yes my 3 would rather be with each other and no other animals except I have to be careful with the two females because they fall off the friend wagon fairly quick.

 Tell me about it - I gave up on serious tracking with my old boy partly because
he just used to ignore turns and run to the end of the track.  {Yeah, my own fault,
I guess;  LOL}   Swear that dog can smell a rubber ball or kong from 3 miles away.  
Came in useful if any of the other dogs lost one on a walk, though ! 

The coolest thing ever is when the cat that was raised from a kitten by my GSD's escapes the house and runs off I can tell Kaiser to "get the kitty" he will jump in the bushes and emerge with the cat hanging from his mouth. Not even kidding.