Standard Schnauzer ... intelligence?

[Mina1]

Every breed is "intelligent" and every guardian-type breed is "protective", etc ...

Adjectives tend to be rather vague.
How would you compare the Standard,
specifically to other breeds you've had,
in terms of intelligence, overall temperament, drive(s), protectiveness etc?

As I'm also looking into a Giant,
I'll be posting the same inquiry on that forum,
so any direct comparison between the two Schnauzers would be very welcome![/color]

[Salomon]

We have often debated the meaning of " intelligence" when talking about dogs. If it means ease of learning ( and doing) things that humans want then I think our standard is a bit thick !
If it means thinking about stuff for himself and making a decision then he is pretty clever.
I can only compare to a Labrador and they are completely different.
He makes it quite clear when he does not understand something. He certainly wants to understand what you are asking him to do..then he can decide whether he wants to do it or not
He guards, but not excessively. We allow him to show his protective instincts but then he will " stand down" relatively easily.
IMO, he does not exhibit " willingness to please " like a Lab does. He is his own man !
Saying that , he is also a great companion dog and in the house is a right cuddle monster.

The breed description say they can be "stubborn". Now that we have one, i know exactly what that means this for me is the one thing that seems inbuilt and different to other breeds.
But we love our standard and would always want one as part of the family.

[black beard]

I have two girls that are very different, the elder one is super smart and understands quickly what is required but is very challenging. The younger one does not always grasp what is required so quickly but is more eager to please. They are both stubborn at times and really make me think about how I communicate with them. They are called the dogs with the human brain for good reason, but choosing the right pup from the litter and putting in the work from day one will help to shape them into what ever you want to do with them. They do have a high prey drive, so it is important to harness that when they are young (I have learnt they hard way!) or they will be off and only return when they are good and ready. They have boundless energy, they don't settle easily and need plenty of mental stimulation and start to mature around the age of three. As Salomon mentioned they are wonderful members of the family and insist on being involved in every thing that you are doing!

It is said that of the two colours the black are more biddable and the P&S can be more feisty but I think it depends upon the lines they come from and how they are raised. Some people believe they are the most difficult of the three sizes, there may be some truth in that, but when you get it right, boy they are fun!

[nickycaplan]

intelligent hmmm - yep my p&s standard is bloody intelligent!! shes stubborn, hard work, loyal, loving, naughty, protective , extremely clever and I wouldn't be without her in the world...however, its taken a long time to get her to being completely trained and not going off and doing her own thing, I think that when I get a second dog, it will be a black standard, as ive met them and they don't seem so 'fired up' as the p&S imo.

[redalert]

I have 2 black standards, both from the same breeder and both share the same father but both are very different. Fizz the eldest is very intelligent, very aloof, not bothered if she is in your company or not, and Bo, she is far more ditsy, a bit scatty, but she loves my company and wants to be with me all the time, very affectionate and loves to please me, neither are particularly stubborn, both are wonderful dogs and I wouldn't swop them for the world, apart from the barking but then they are warning me that someone/something is about.

[SnailPorridge]

I have a standard and was new to the breed. Lottie is extremely intelligent but not in the sense that she will do tricks, etc, but in that you teach her something and she decides whether she will do it or not, whether it is useful to know or not and to do. If she does not see the point of something she will not do it, for example she cannot be asked to do high five or similar tricks. In terms of guarding/watching, she has made that her job naturally after a fox came and visited the garden at night. Every night she patrols the garden, then watches the front door from the top of the stairs, then when she feels there is no "threat" she stands down and goes to bed. She is excelletn at alerting us, she hears someone is at the front door before we do and any noise she does not like comes and tell us. She is definetely as the breed describe stubborn though! Loves a cuddle or two or three and has great endurance and stamina. I would have another one any day Hope this helps. SP

[MieleMoo]

They are definately intelligent, mine seems to nanny the kids, if they are making too much noise she does little woofs as if to be telling them to be quiet, but is not impressed when they have their friends over (she takes herself off to bed). She is quite nervous of strangers and other dogs but she has protected me when she has felt concern by barking (believe me she has a deep bark). In terms of training because they are stubborn you do have to put in that extra bit of effort, it has taken us longer to meet some goals but then I attribute that to the fact she is on the nervous side so working on her barking did take us longer and when off lead she does have a tendancy to run away from strange dogs - she finds her way back but it is still a worry - apart from that her recall is spot on. I know these dogs are highly trainable my friend is always telling me about the ones she knows from agility meets and is constantly at me to get mine training (she is an agility coach) we did a little last year and I was amazed at how quickly she picked things up. I'm totally sold, and fully intend on getting another

[flugelboneman]

We have owned one mini and two Stds. So of course we are completely biased toward the breed. All have must be classified as "intelligent" in that they are quite trainable and want to learn. However Dismas, our current Std is now 7 and he is nothing less than astounding in his ability to reason and deduce. He is obsessed with his fave tv programs, Hudson and Rex and Pick a Puppy. His recognition of musical themes is uncanny. He will be reclining in his bed which is some distance from the TV. He will hear the very start of the theme from a doggy commercial or one of his fave program and come roaring intro the tv room. I have never seen this in a dog before.

[Dawnspell]

Thats so funny. You should record it on your phone and have it as a recall sound