German Shepherd

The German Shepherd, also known in Britain as an Alsatian, is a German breed of working dog of medium to large size. It is known for being very intelligent and easy to train.

Originally, German Shepherds were used for herding sheep. Over time, they have taken on many important jobs, such as helping people with disability assistance, searching for people in need during search-and-rescue missions, working for the police, and even in warfare. Many families also keep German Shepherds as beloved companion dogs. In 2013, they were one of the most popular dog breeds in the world.

This breed was created by a man named Max von Stephanitz who brought together many different types of traditional German herding dogs starting in 1899. After World War I, German Shepherds became well-known around the world. In the United States, they were the second most popular breed in 2016 and are often the most popular breed in many other countries.

History

1890s

In the 1890s, people worked to make dog breeds more consistent. They bred dogs to keep their skills for herding sheep and protecting them from animals that might hurt them. In Germany, local groups of shepherds chose and bred dogs with these skills. The dogs were smart, fast, strong, and had a great sense of smell, but they looked and acted differently in different places.

To fix these differences, a group called the Phylax Society started in 1891. They wanted to make plans to improve German dog breeds. But the group stopped after three years because they disagreed about what traits were most important. Some wanted dogs only for work, while others wanted dogs that also looked good. Even though they didn’t succeed, their idea inspired others to keep working on standardizing dog breeds.

1900s

In 1899, a man named Max von Stephanitz saw a dog named Hektor Linksrhein at a dog show. Hektor was perfect for what von Stephanitz wanted in a working dog. Von Stephanitz bought Hektor, renamed him Horand von Grafrath, and started the Society for German Shepherd Dogs. Horand was the first German Shepherd Dog and the first one added to the society’s records. In just a few decades, the German Shepherd became one of the most popular dog breeds in the world.

Horand was used in breeding programs with other dogs that had good traits. This helped create the traits von Stephanitz wanted in the breed. The society is often credited with creating the German Shepherd Dog because of von Stephanitz’s leadership.

20th Century

During the early 1900s, German Shepherds became linked with Germany because of their strength and loyalty. They were very popular in Germany, especially during a time when the country was led by Adolf Hitler. Hitler loved German Shepherds and had several of them. The dogs were also used as guard dogs in difficult places.

When German Shepherds were brought to the United States, they were popular at first. But as their numbers grew, some people thought they were dangerous. This led to rules in some places, like Australia, that made it hard to bring them in or keep them.

Naming

The breed was named “German Shepherd Dog” by von Stephanitz. But after World War I, some countries that fought Germany didn’t like the word “German.” So in the United Kingdom, the breed was renamed “Alsatian Wolf Dog” after a region in France. Later, “wolf dog” was dropped because people were worried it would make the breed seem like it was part wolf. The name “Alsatian” was used for many years until 1977, when the breed could be called “German Shepherd” again in the UK.

Kennel club classification

When the UK started registering German Shepherds in 1919, 54 were registered. By 1926, that number grew to over 8,000. After World War I, soldiers who returned home talked about how great these dogs were, and some German Shepherds became famous in movies. The breed became very popular, though it dipped during World War II because of negative feelings toward Germany. Popularity grew again, and by 1993, German Shepherds were one of the most popular breeds in the United States. Today, they are still among the most popular breeds in many countries.

Description

German Shepherds are medium to large-sized dogs. Males usually stand between 60–65 cm tall, while females are a bit smaller at 55–60 cm. These dogs can run up to 30 miles per hour and are longer than they are tall. They have a domed forehead, strong jaws, and a black nose. Their ears stand up and can fold back when they move. German Shepherds have a long neck and a bushy tail.

They have two types of fur: medium and long. The long fur is rarer. Their common colors are tan/black or red/black, often with black markings on the face and body. Other colors like sable or pure-black are also seen, but some colors are not allowed in certain dog shows.

Variants

The East-European Shepherd is a type of German Shepherd bred in the former Soviet Union. It was created to be larger and better suited to cold weather.

The King Shepherd is a type bred in the United States to improve the health of German Shepherds.

The Shiloh Shepherd is another type from the United States, developed in the 1970s and 1980s for better behavior and health traits.

The White Shepherd is a type with white fur, recognized as a separate breed in the United States and Canada.

The White Swiss Shepherd Dog is a white variety from Switzerland, recognized as its own breed in 2003.

Behavior

German Shepherds are active, confident, and eager to learn. They are curious, which makes them good for jobs like guard dogs. They can be protective of their family and home, especially if not raised around many people. These dogs are very smart and obedient, making them great pets and helpful for jobs like police and search work.

Intelligence

German Shepherds were bred to be very smart. They learn quickly and are good at following instructions, which makes them popular for jobs like police and search work.

Bite and jaw force

Some reports have shown that German Shepherds can have strong bites. It is important for all dog owners to train their pets safely and responsibly.

Health

Many German Shepherds can face health problems because of early inbreeding. A common issue is hip and elbow dysplasia, which can cause pain and arthritis as the dog gets older. Studies have shown that a lot of German Shepherds, especially police working dogs, can have problems with their spines.

German Shepherds are also more likely to have a condition called degenerative myelopathy, which affects their nerves. This is caused by a change in a specific gene. They can also be tested for another inherited condition called Von Willebrand disease, which affects their ability to stop bleeding, and for a pancreas problem known as exocrine pancreatic insufficiency.

The usual lifespan of a German Shepherd is around 10 years, though some studies show it can be a bit shorter than other dogs. These dogs can also be prone to musculoskeletal issues such as hip dysplasia and other bone and joint problems.

Pituitary dwarfism is another condition that can affect German Shepherds, causing growth problems and changes in their coat. This condition has been around since at least 1940 and can be tested for genetically. Without treatment, dogs with this condition may not live very long, but with care, they can live several more years.

Use

German Shepherds are popular working dogs because they are easy to train and follow instructions well. They are often used by police to help track people, patrol areas, and keep suspects safe. Many German Shepherds also work for the military, where they help soldiers by warning them about dangers or hidden traps.

These dogs are also very good at jobs that need a strong sense of smell, like searching for missing people, finding hidden items, or detecting dangers. In the past, German Shepherds were the main breed used to help people who cannot see well. Today, other breeds like Labradors and Golden Retrievers are more common for this work, but some German Shepherds are still trained for it.

German Shepherds are also used to guard and guide sheep, making sure they stay safe and do not damage crops. Their skills in these areas are tested in special dog trials in Germany and other places.

Controversies

Some experts feel that modern German Shepherds have moved away from the original idea that these dogs should be bred mainly as working dogs. The idea was that breeding should be carefully controlled to avoid problems.

In the United Kingdom, there is a disagreement about the health of some show dogs. Some of these dogs have been bred with a certain shape that affects how they walk. This was discussed in a BBC documentary. The Kennel Club wants judges to lower the scores of dogs with these health issues. They also suggest checking for certain health problems in the breed.

In popular culture

German Shepherds have appeared in many movies, TV shows, and books. In 1921, a German Shepherd named Strongheart became one of the first famous dog stars in films, and another German Shepherd, Rin Tin Tin, followed in 1922. Both dogs have stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

In the Batman comic books, there is a German Shepherd dog named Ace the Bat-Hound who helped Batman. He first appeared in 1955 and continued to show up sometimes over the years.

In Austria, a German Shepherd named Inspector Rex is the main character in a TV show. The show is about Rex helping police solve mysteries in Vienna.

In Hungary, a German Shepherd named Kántor was a very successful police dog in the 1950s and early 1960s. After he passed away, his story was turned into books and a popular TV series. Because of Kántor, German Shepherds became the most loved dog breed in Hungary. You can see a taxidermy model of Kántor at the Police Museum in Budapest.

Notable individual German Shepherds

The German Shepherd breed started with a dog named Horand von Grafrath, born in 1895. He is considered the first German Shepherd and the basis for all modern ones.

Many German Shepherds have become famous in films, television, and books. Some well-known names include London from The Littlest Hobo, Strongheart from early Hollywood films, and Rin Tin Tin from many popular movies. There are also fictional characters like Rex the Wonder Dog and Ace the Bat-Hound from DC Comics.

Some German Shepherds have lived with important people. For example, Blondi was a pet of a famous leader, and more recently, Champ, Commander, and Major have been pets of a U.S. president.

German Shepherds have also served bravely in wars and emergencies. Dogs like Antis helped during World War II, and Trakr helped find survivors after a terrible event in New York City. These dogs are valued for their courage and smartness.