The early herding dogs of Germany came in different sizes, colors and build, but they all had one thing in common, a special intelligence which made them perfect for the day to day farming tasks they were required to perform.
In 1889, a German Cavalry Officer, Captain Max Von Stephanitz, set out to “standardize” the breed and selected a working herder, named Horan Von Graphath, as the representative example of what the breed should be like. This dog, and the other “champions” which followed him, were not the “classic” German Shepherd we would recognize today. Those early German champions were applauded more for their working abilities than for their “good looks”. They were physically powerful dogs with great stamina, innate herding instincts and an intelligence that almost rarely required additional training for the performance of their duties.
During the period immediately following World War 1 ( and somewhat similarly after World War 2), the breed lost almost all of its growing popularity due to the ongoing hatred among the Allied nations of all things German. In Britain, the breed’s name was changed to Alsatian, since many of the breeding dogs came from the “Alsace” region in France.
However, a few returning US servicemen, brought some of the better bred animals home with them, and in the late 40’s and early 50’s, the popularity of the (American) German Shepherd began to explode. Television brought us the exciting adventures of Rin-Tin-Tin and families began to look for a family pet with similar temperament , skill and loyalty. Sadly the “puppy-mill” scam artists produced animals that were either sickly or dangerously ill-bred, and often people became dis-illusioned with their “German Shepherd“. On occasions, people maltreated their dogs, turning them into malnourished and isolated “attack” dogs and the breed was condemned with a reputation that was neither deserved and that it is still trying to “live down” to this day.
Good things were also happening however. Breeders in Germany followed a more definitive type of “German” animal in the breeding process, while the Americans were free to follow their own preferences. The “German Shepherd” as we recognize it today had its birth and growth at this time. Great champions demonstrated the dog’s exceptional intelligence and affinity for obedience training; the strong high head, the famous black and tan coloring and the unique “back-leg” stance, became the hallmarks of the breed. Today, the German Shepherd is recognized both as a great “working” dog and as a family pet and is developing within owners a loyalty that is equal to the dog’s own nature.
While various registering bodies and kennel clubs, both in USA and overseas, have the ability and freedom to exact their own standards of perfection in a dog, the breed itself generally conforms to set requirements in each of the following distinctions:
Temperament:
Any “good” German Shepherd will have an almost “laid-back” type of temperament, willing to accept just about anything from small children and foolish adults alike, without any sign of retaliation or viciousness. The dog must be friendly, yet always fearless; self confident without any hint of aggression; approachable, but with a certain air of disdain whereby the animal lets the human know who really is in charge ! Around other animals, the German Shepherd should demonstrate a personality almost of : “I’m quite happy to lie here in my corner and let you do your thing. But if you force me into a fight, I will win”. Even as a young pup, the dog should demonstrate that superior intelligence and trainability which will turn him into a self confident, protective animal who is willing to stand his ground without being the one to first demonstrate aggression.
Physical Features:
The shape and size of the dog is well defined in the American AKC regulations. The ideal dog is strong and solid without being in any way obese. His body is easily seen to be powerful and muscular, and he should “ooze” a sense of stamina and endurance. His body should be slightly longer than he is tall, and while walking or running, he should do so with that air of majesty that is so easily recognizable in a champion. The ears should be distinctively pointed and erect; the tail hanging in a smooth “slow” curve. The Adult German Shepherd is always classified as a “large” dog, weighing between 75 to 95 pounds and standing around 24 inches.
Coloring:
Most people are not aware that the German Shepherd should be a dog with a double-layer coat,the outside covering being dense and even somewhat coarse, with a thinner gray coat underneath. While the actual coloring of the dog can vary from pure black to even total white ( which automatically disqualifies the dog for showing ),the most common coloring is of course the deep black and tan that makes the breed so recognizable.
Sadly, there is one area problematic to the German Shepherd and that is in the area of health. The breed can be prone to elbow and hip dysplasia, a crippling disease that can cause lameness and debilitating arthritis in the elbows and hips. This can occur in the dog as early as 18 months old, though it is usually more prevalent in older animals. While many owners try to treat this disease with major surgery and medical treatments, the debate on the effectiveness of these still rages without any definitive answers. Another problem with the breed is the need for constant grooming , especially during the “shedding” season. Expect to fill the vacuum cleaner with lots of hair sheddings!
After reading this article, if you are still interested in becoming the proud owner of one of these magnificent dogs, there are two ways to do so. First, you can buy from a registered German Shepherd Breeder (not the guy down the street who has a dog and a bitch in a shed in the backyard). Do some research and ask for contacts of other satisfied owners. Secondly, you can save a dog from one of the many German Shepherd rescue groups around the country. A great way to find a great dog is to read the “For Sale” tags in your local newspaper and find the phone numbers of the breeders in your area. Often when breeders are “finished” with a stud dog or bitch, they will either find a good home for it or euthanise it. Make a phone call and don’t be afraid to ask if any dogs are becoming available for personal adoption.
The German Shepherd is a strong, alert, agile, fearless, yet approachable animal that makes a great family companion, guard dog or show animal, all in one. Extremely intelligent and easily trainable, he is a dog that works well in police protection and search and rescue work, yet can be the best family pet imaginable. Once you own one, you will probably never return to any other breed as long as you live.
