GSD vs. Malinois - this is an interesting article... - Page 2

At this point, If I can claim anything, it would be that the members of this forum are in keeping with the general consensus that the Malinois has a definitive advantage in sport, in the form of superior drive.  I'd be curious to know exactly how this translates to actual application vs. the GSD.

I would have to say this article is crap for some of the reasons mentioned above.

The two GSD pups I have now are the first two I have raised up from pups. I can say without a doubt, they do not learn as fast or retain training like the Mals I have owned and worked with. They do have some positives, but from strictly a training standpoint are more difficult to train so far.

People talk about GSD's being able to think more and therefore do not blow through things and hurl themselves with reckless abandon. I believe ( as a general rule of course, each dog is different) the GSD's will slow down, attempt to go around things, etc because their lower drives do not allow them to overcome stressors, the way a Malinios does.

Many people believe GSD's make better police dogs because of this. I disagree. When it comes to real life police work, "thinking" too much can get you killed. I want a dog that doesn't think but immediatly reacts to their instictual drives and training. I do think a GSD can be a better police dog but not because of the rational that they "think more than a GSD does.

Just my take.....

I have read both of Dr. Cohen's books and have found them to have been well researched and presented.  The article cited here was taken a little out of context.  I am not saying that I agree him on all points, but he does raise some interesting ones.  I would say that they are worth the time to read them.

That being said, there is no doubt that Mals are AWESOME working dogs.

I think Mal's come out of the box a little more ready, but in the end, i'll take a good one of either breed.