GSD vs Mali - Page 2

I can personally attest to Euro's analogy because my Mal has gone through a thorny bush (came out of it unscratched, luckily) for her ball. She could have easily gone around the small bush although it woud've taken a few seconds longer to do so.

Mals tend to be faster to respond to command, GSDs tend to be think a bit more...not because they're confused, but because they are considering the best way to do something, or an alternative altogether, GSDs are better at self-preservation than Mals are.   Mals can be better for extreme police/military situations because they respond to command in a nano-second without consideration for their personal safety.  


I suppose if we are going to make generalizations this can be said.  A Malinois may have lower nerve thresholds, hence very quick to react.  A GSD can also react very quickly and be very reactive as well. But, I would agree that a Malinois can be much more reactive and often times quicker to react.  Any well trained dog should react to a command instantly and perform that command.  Much of what is said here comes to down to training and Genetics.  Any Police / Military dog will respond to a command or should respond to a command in a nano-second with out consideration for their own personal safety because they do not grasp the concept that their life may be in danger.  We as humans know that entering the woods at 2 AM for an armed Homicide suspect understand the dangers and reality of the situation.  I can assure you that my dog as he tracks or searches the woods is fully intent on apprehending the suspect has no clue that his life is in any danger.  To him the only one inn "danger" is the guy he is getting close to find, with out any doubt.  To him it is another day and he is allowed to find and bite the guy in the woods and he is highly driven to do that.  

Just as one can say a Malinois responds or reacts quicker, I can show you plenty of Malinois that get so spun up and frantic they can't think about anything.  I can show you plenty of German Shepherds that respond quickly and how they are trained to respond.  A GSD with concerns for self preservation needs to remain on the sport field, show ring or at home.  For either breed; drive generally overcomes any self preservation thoughts, especially when trained correctly.   

I like both breeds, I train with both breeds and they both have their pros and cons.  I do like Malinois for Police work and for sport, I also like a good GSD.  It all goes back to the individual dog.  When selecting new dogs, I never look at color or breed...simply the best dog.  Last dog we bought was a Dutch Shepherd for our PD.  Good dog for the handler, overall a nice dog, but no where hard or strong enough for me.   

I was brought up around GSDs. I now own  beautiful Belgian Mal. I must say that for a 7 month old he is sharp as a tack! The GSD isn't dumb by anymeans though and I really think both dogs have great qualities. I think it's personal preference on which breed is better or smarter.

I have never owned a mal but there are several in my club and I have caught quite a few.

In dog training intelligence can be a vice, sometimes the dumb dogs are easier to train LOL


Dogs will always do what is best for dogs....a good trainer will make it very clear to the dog what is right and what is wong, with good timing and marking behaviors (rewarding good, correcting the undesired).  A smart dog may put the pieces together faster....but he may also be quick to anticipate what he thinks is next if the trainer doesn't mix it up.

So many different variables aside from intelligence that comes into play with dog training...drive levels (prey, toy, food), biddability, hardness, resilliency, self preservation.

In my experience it is not the dogs 'intelligence' that matters.  It is the handlers ability to make clear to the dog what is expected, desired and undesired.  By rewarding desired behaviors and correcting and/or witholding reward for undesirable behaviors.