My favorite dog, known as canis lupus familiaris,was a German Shepard.
Wow really? Did you have one growing up?
No, I had a beagle as a child.
What makes you like German Shepherds?
SMART!  They are sooooo SMART!  That's why the military and police use them.
They must know a ton of commands! Police dogs are tough as well as smart
Dogs vary in intelligence as well as shape and color.  Some are smarter and tougher than others.  The Sheperds from Germany are so finely bred, they are the best.
I wonder if they bred German Shepherds especially for those traits?