Like the Maremma, the Kuvasz, the Tatra and the Akbash (to whom the Pyr is related), they're not bred for obedience but for protecting the sheep. For which intelligence of independent thinking is required, seeing how they're still left alone with the herds at night (over here in Spain). Let a wolf or even a bear come near and they'll go for it of their very own accord so as to protect the herd.
Actually showing how the German shepherd is totally misnamed, seeing how it was never used as a herder's dog at all, due to being utterly useless for that task (like the border Collie it'll more than likely savage the sheep if left unattended).
When idiotically transporting any of a dog's qualities onto humans as TAAC is trying to, his idea of intelligence is clearly confused since the principle that he favors would apply more to SS guards than to thinkers.
Coren's interpretations are equally foolish but in his case I reckon unintentional and made with good intentions.
never had one but a friend once told me (when I laughed at his claim of that midget being a protector), "laugh as you wish, but if you make a threatening move towards me, he'll bite you in the ankle, then pull you to your knee, then bite you in the knee until he has you crashing onto a hip, then grab you by that hip and pull you onto your back, and then.........................................................he'll rip your friggin throat out".
:lol: