Highest drive?

I see mals listed here a lot, but I think a lot of people get confused or mislead by their very outward hectic energy. Yes they have drive, lots of it, as a breed more not necessarily more so than good working line GSD's, well that's very debateable. I"ve seen more than just a couple high drive mals, that give up consistently on tracks. Drive is a funny thing, its not always the "energy" you see, there's a lot more to it than that. And there is far more to a dogs drives, than prey drive.

Police are switching from GSD's to mals mainly because of cost, a few thousand dollars or a thousand dollars, for a dept on a budget its a no brainer.

[dogstarsleddogs]

When it comes to running, Huskies I think definatly have it. They also have a very strong prey drive, but I dont think its the highest. I dont know, I could be wrong. Aurora killed 6 cats in about 30 seconds. It was horrible, run, catch one, snap its neck, fling it, move on the next one. Most horrible thing I ever saw. I read on a site once that said "They chase almost everything that runs. They catch whatever they chase. They kill almost everything they catch."

[GSDlover_4ever]

Originally Posted by whatszmatter

I see mals listed here a lot, but I think a lot of people get confused or mislead by their very outward hectic energy. Yes they have drive, lots of it, as a breed more not necessarily more so than good working line GSD's, well that's very debateable. I"ve seen more than just a couple high drive mals, that give up consistently on tracks. Drive is a funny thing, its not always the "energy" you see, there's a lot more to it than that. And there is far more to a dogs drives, than prey drive.

Police are switching from GSD's to mals mainly because of cost, a few thousand dollars or a thousand dollars, for a dept on a budget its a no brainer.

Yes, because Belgians (Mals definately) are hyper people assume that they are higher drive than a laid-back GSD. A well bred GSD has incredible prey drive, tracking drive, defense drive and later fight drive ect. I love that about GSD. They are laid back but when its time to work they are on it. They are more predictable IMO, and stable.

Also police and military use Mals more because they are nore "portable" and dont take as much room as a 90lb GSD. Its all for convenience and not necessarily working ability.

[DanL]

What I've read about the difference between Mals and GSD's is that the GSD can come into high drive faster, and come out of it faster. Once the Mal is in high drive they are supposedly hard to get calmed down which is why you see a lot of handler bites and things of that nature.

[GSDlover_4ever]

Originally Posted by DanL

What I've read about the difference between Mals and GSD's is that the GSD can come into high drive faster, and come out of it faster. Once the Mal is in high drive they are supposedly hard to get calmed down which is why you see a lot of handler bites and things of that nature.

Very true!!! That makes a more stable dog.

[doberkim]

i agree with what whatzmatter is saying - theres a difference between hectic frantic energy and drive - ive seen some BCs, aussies and mals that are INCREDIBLY energetic - they bounce off walls, they want to GO GO GO GO but they also have no ability to focus, they lose interest in things quickly, and they simply lack that DRIVE to work - in which case, all the energy in the world is not going to make up for an inherent lack of drive.

[ihartgonzo]

Herding: I feel that ACD's are a very drivey breed & completely dedicated to their job. Border Collies have the eye and have great drive as well, but as a breed, I have met many more ACD's that will herd anything all day long and are very versatile with what they can work. I actually cannot think of one ACD that I know that doesn't exhibit strong herding behaviors on most moving objects. Of course, I l o v e Border Collies, and watching them work is incredible - but for intense herding drive, I would definitely pick ACD's.

Sledding: Sibes are extremely prey-driven and an amazing sledding breed, for sure. But there are lots of mixed breeds (Alaskan Huskies) that are so nicely bred by experienced mushers.

Patrol: I think all of the Belgians are way under-rated. GSD's are awesome dogs, when well bred. But, I have seen working Belgians that a GSD could not touch.

Sporting/Hunting: Definitely field-bred Labs, they live for it, and are so versatile. I have also seen some amazing GSP's work.

Terriers: A well-bred JRT has crazy drive! They will follow a rodent, or a lure, anywhere!

Sighthounds: Greyhounds, for sure! It is amazing to watch them run, and I don't know of any Greys that can be trusted off-leash... if something catches their eye, they're gone.

[casablanca1]

I'm uneasy with the word 'drive' because to me, it seems as if it's become a catchall word, used to mean 'positive thing I can use to explain away all my dog's less appealing behaviors' Somewhat like the pit people tend to use 'game.' To me, a dog isn't game just because it can't be turned off killing. And drive should mean something more than a dog having a low arousal point when confronted with their ancestral birthright. Both terms are dog story terms - the pit bull that bests a more formidable opponent, the hunting dog that won't be called off a point. And both essentially mean the dog has honor, power, heart.

In terms of dogs with prey drive - I'd say the terriers win hands down. In terms of that mythic, storied 'drive' that makes a dog legendary, I'd say no breed has a lock on that.

[DanL]

I guess it depends on what you consider appealing or less appealing behaviors. In a GSD, drives such as defense or prey are desirable. It's not a buzzword given to justify a behavior that is inherent to the breed. Just because that type of drive might be unappealing to someone whose only experience with dogs is their lap dog doesn't make it wrong.

Drive doesn't mean a low arousal point. Sometimes a dog can be very high drive but it takes a lot to get the dog to the point where it displays those characteristics.

Originally Posted by DanL

Drive doesn't mean a low arousal point. Sometimes a dog can be very high drive but it takes a lot to get the dog to the point where it displays those characteristics.

Drive and threshold are two different things, very true.