The German Shepherd Dog

Although the German Shepherd Dog actually dates back to ancient Persian and was descended from the farm and herding dogs, the German Shepherd Dogs as we have come to know is almost entirely a product of the 20th century. Verein Fur Deutsche Schaferhund the parent club was founded in German in 1899 and the popularity of the German Shepherd Dog spread rapidly throughout the world. In England, the German Shepherd Dogs is known as the "Alsatian". The German Shepherd Dog came to American in the early 1900's. Specialty clubs in many parts of the world fostered the interest in the breed just as in the United States by the German Shepherd Dog Club of America.

The most important thing about the German Shepherd Dog is that it is a working/herding dog. Despite many claims to the contrary, this instinct has not been bred out of them by "show" people. On the whole, through selective breeding, through showing and judging, the breed has prospered in temperament, structure, and through specialized training.

The personality of the German Shepherd Dog is based upon its loyalty, courage, and the ability to assimilate and retain training for a number of special services including: police work,. herding, as guidedogs for the blind, watchdog, search & rescue, guardian, therapy work, and assisting the disabled. A German Shepherd Dog should be poised, self-confident, fearless and approachable, and at the same time exhibit a certain amount of aloofness or standoffishness. A German Shepherd Dog has a high level of intelligence and has the ability for observation, patience, faithfulness, watchfulness, and even, with some, the ability to make judgments.

The qualities of companion, friend, and protector have endeared this breed to wide variety of owners in practically every country in the world. A German Shepherd Dog should be a bold and punishing fighter when need be, but not a indiscriminate fighter. Once given, the friendship of the German Shepherd Dog is given for life.

The German Shepherd Dog has been developed to the point of almost ideal fitness for the type of work he may be called upon to do. A German Shepherd Dog is NOT a large dog, but rather a medium-sized dog. The reason for this is due to the fact that he is better able to perform the duties he is called upon to do, like climbing stairs, jumping through windows, etc. Also, if a window is too high to jump into, his human handler would be required to lift the dog up to the window. A medium-sized dog is more agile and since he weighs less than a large-boned dog, he is more easily picked up if the circumstances demands it. A medium-sized dog is not cumbersome or unwieldy as some of the larger breeds may be.

The German Shepherd Dog has a natural, easy trot which is the height of efficiency and power. With his power, strength, and length of gait the German Shepherd Dog covers the most distance with a minimal amount of effort - think of the movement of the large cats. The German Shepherd Dog's gait is so well-coordinated and harmonious, with proper structure, he moves forward seemingly at a glide - or as it is known the "flying trot" whereby all four feet are off the ground at the same time. While moving, a correctly structured German Shepherd is a beautiful site to behold. The structure of the German Shepherd Dog is one of balance - forequarter and hindquarter compensating each other. The German Shepherd Dog's outline should be smooth, flowing and his topline from ear to the tip of its tail, should be one sweeping, unbroken line.

The German Shepherd Dog is one that combines ruggedness, nobility, power, and agility. All of which have been unchanged by any whim of the show ring.