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The German Shepherd Dog (GSD), (Template:Lang-de) is a breed of large-sized dog that originates from Germany. German Shepherds are a fairly new breed of dog, with their origins only dating back to 1899. Part of the herding group, shepherds are working dogs developed originally for herding sheep. Their strength, intelligence and obedience often sees them employed in police and military roles in forces around the world. Due to their loyal and protective nature the breed is among the top most registered in most registries.

History

Origins

In Europe, during the 1800s, dog breeds were beginning to be standardized. The dogs were bred to preserve traits that assisted in their job of herding sheep and protecting flocks from predators. In Germany this was practiced within local communities, with the shepherds selecting and breeding dogs together that they believed had good traits, such as intelligence, strength, and keen senses of smell. The results were dogs that were able to perform admirably in their task, but that differed significantly, both in appearance and ability, from one locality to another.

To combat these differences, the Phylax Society was formed in 1891 with the intention of creating standardised dog breeds in Germany. The society disbanded after only three years due to an ongoing, internal conflict regarding the traits that the society should promote; some members believed dogs should be bred solely for working purposes, while others believed dogs also should be bred for appearance. While unsuccessful in their goal, the Phylax Society had inspired people to pursue standardising dog breeds independently.

Max von Stephanitz, an ex-cavalry captain and former student of the Berlin Veterinary College, was one such ex-member. He believed strongly that dogs should be bred for working.

In 1899, Von Stephanitz was attending a show when he was shown a dog named Hektor Linksrhein. Hektor was the product of many generations of selective breeding and completely fulfilled what Von Stephanitz believed a working dog should be. He was pleased with the strength of the dog and was so taken by the animal's intelligence and loyalty, that he purchased it immediately. After purchasing the dog he changed its name to Horand von Grafrath and Von Stephanitz founded the Verein für Deutsche Schäferhunde (Society for the German Shepherd Dog). Horand was declared to be the first German Shepherd Dog and was the first dog added to the society's breed register.

Horand became the centre-point of the society's breeding programs and was bred with dogs belonging to other society members that displayed desirable traits. Although fathering many pups, Horand's most successful was Hektor von Schwaben. Hektor was inbred with another of Horand's offspring and produced Beowulf, who later fathered a total of eighty-four pups, mostly through being inbred with Hektor's other offspring. Beowulf's progeny also were inbred and it is from these pups that all German Shepherds draw a genetic link. It is believed the society accomplished its goal mostly due to Von Stephanitz's strong, uncompromising leadership and he is therefore, credited with being the creator of the German Shepherd Dog.

Popularity

When the English Kennel Club first accepted registrations for the breed in 1919 fifty-four dogs were registered, by 1926 this number had inflated to over 8,000. The breed first gained international recognition at the decline of World War I after returning soldiers spoke highly of the breed and animal actors Rin Tin Tin and Strongheart popularised the breed further. The first German Shepherd Dog registered in the United States was Queen of Switzerland, however her offspring suffered from defects as the result of poor breeding which caused the breed to suffer a decline in popularity during the late 1920s. Popularity increased again after the German Shepherd Sieger Pfeffer von Bern became the 1937 and 1938 Grand Victor in American Kennel club dog shows, only to suffer another decline at the conclusion of World War II, due to anti-German sentiment of the time. As time progressed their poplarity increased gradually until 1993 when they became the third most popular breed in the United States, a position the breed still holds. The breed is typically among the top ten most popular dog breeds in other registries.

Name

The breed was named "Deutscher Schäferhund" by Von Stephanitz, literally translating to "German Shepherd Dog". The breed was named as such due its original purpose of assisting shepherds in herding and protecting sheep, at the time all other herding dogs in Germany were referred to by this name — they thus became known as Altdeutscher Schäferhunds or Old German Shepherd Dogs. Shepherds were first exported to Britain in 1908 and The Kennel Club began to recognise the breed in 1919.

The direct translation of the name was adopted for use in the official breed registry, however at the conclusion of World War I it was believed that the inclusion of the word "German" would harm the breed's popularity, due to the anti-German sentiment of the era. The breed was officially renamed by the Kennel Club to "Alsatian Wolf Dog", this name also was adopted by many other international kennel clubs. Later the name was changed again to "Alsatian" as the appendage "wolf dog" caused discontent after media capitalised on the name to run a scare campaign advertising that "half-wolves" had been let loose in Britain. The name remained until 1977 when successful campaigns by dog enthusiasts pressured the British kennel clubs to allow the breed to be registered again as German Shepherd Dogs.

Modern breed

The modern German Shepherd is criticised for straying away from von Stephanitz's original ideology for the breed, that German Shepherds should be bred primarily as working dogs, and that breeding should be strictly controlled to eliminate defects quickly. It is believed that careless breeding has promoted disease and other defects. Under the breeding programs, overseen by von Stephanitz, defects were quickly bred out, however in modern times without regulation on breeding, genetic problems such as colour-paling, hip dysplasia, monorchidism, weakness of temperament, and missing teeth are common.

Description

Appearance

German Shepherds are a large-breed dog which generally are between 55 and 65 centimetres (22 and 26 in) at the withers and weigh between 22 and 40 kilograms (49 and 88 lb). The ideal height is 63 centimetres (25 in), according to Kennel Club standards. They have a domed forehead, a long square-cut muzzle and a black nose. The jaws are strong, with a scissor-like bite. The eyes are medium-sized and brown with a lively, intelligent, and self-assured look. The ears are large and stand erect, open at the front and parallel, they often are pulled back during movement. They have a long neck, which is raised when excited and lowered when moving at a fast pace. The tail is bushy and reaches to the hock.

Colour

German Shepherds can be a variety of colours, the most common of which are the tan/black and red/black varieties. Both varieties have black masks and saddles. Rarer variations include the sable, all-black, all-white, liver and blue varieties. The all-black variety is acceptable; however, the blue and liver are considered to be serious faults and the all-white is grounds for instant disqualification in some standards. This is because the white coat is more visible, making the dog a poor guard dog, and is harder to see in conditions such as snow.

Coat

German Shepherds sport a double coat. The outer coat, which is shed all year round, is close and dense with a thick undercoat. The coat is accepted in two variants; medium and long. The long-hair gene is recessive, making the long-hair variety rarer. Treatment of the long-hair variation differs across standards; they are accepted under the German and UK Kennel Clubs but are considered a fault in the American Kennel Club.

Intelligence

Shepherds were bred specifically for their intelligence, a trait for which they are now renowned. They are considered to be the third most intelligent breed of dog, behind Border Collies and Poodles. In the book The Intelligence of Dogs, author Stanley Coren ranked the breed third for intelligence. He found that they had the ability to learn simple tasks after only five repetitions and obeyed the first command given 95% of the time. Coupled with their strength, this trait makes the breed desirable as police, guard, and rescue dogs, as they are able to learn quickly various tasks and interpret instructions better than other large breeds.

Temperament

German Shepherds are highly active dogs, fearless, but not hostile and often are described in breed standards as self-assured and never shy. The breed is marked by a willingness to learn and an eagerness to have a purpose. Shepherds can become over-protective of their family and territory, especially if not socialised correctly. Due to their loyal nature Shepherds bond well with children they know. While typically approachable, Shepherds do not become immediate friends with strangers. German Shepherds are highly obedient and not easily distracted, but due to their self-strong will must be trained by a firm hand.

Health

The average lifespan of a German Shepherd is 11-12 years, which is normal for a dog of their size.

Many common ailments of the German Shepherds are a result of the inbreeding required early in the breed's creation. One such common issue is hip and elbow dysplasia which may lead to the dog experiencing pain in later life, and may cause arthritis. Due to the large and open nature of their ears, Shepherds also are prone to ear infections.

Other health problems sometimes occurring in the breed are von Willebrand's disease, skin allergies, and canine degenerative myelopathy. German Shepherds, like all large bodied dogs, also are prone to bloat.

Use as working dogs

German Shepherds are a very popular selection for use as working dogs. They are especially well known for their police work, being used for tracking criminals, patrolling troubled areas, and detection and holding of suspects. Additionally thousands of German Shepherds have been used by the military. Usually trained for scout duty, they are used to warn soldiers to the presence of enemies or of booby traps or other hazards. German Shepherds also have been trained by military groups to parachute from aircraft.

The German Shepherd Dog is one of the most widely-used breeds in a wide variety of scent-work roles. These include search and rescue, cadaver searching, narcotics detection, explosives detection, accelerant detection, and mine detection dog, amongst others. They are suited for these lines of work because of their keen sense of smell and their ability to work regardless of distractions.

In popular culture

German Shepherds have featured in a range of media. Strongheart the German Shepherd was one of the earliest canine film stars and was followed by Rin Tin Tin, who is now acclaimed as being the most famous German Shepherd. Both are credited with stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

German Shepherds have played central parts in a number of recent films, including "The Omen", The Hills Have Eyes and I am Legend. Blondi, Adolf Hitler's German Shepherd, has been featured in a number of documentaries and films about the dictator, such as Downfall.

Batman's dog Ace the Bat-Hound appeared in the Batman comic books, post-1964. In 1950s and 1960s, The Littlest Hobo television series featured a German Shepherd in a role similar to that of Lassie. Inspector Rex (Kommisar Rex) is an Austrian television drama featuring a German Shepherd called Rex who functions variously as a sniffer dog (for both contraband and narcotics).

Notes

a. Named after the German-French border, Alsace-Lorraine.

b. The first standard of the German Shepherd Dog Society, written by von Stephanitz said "A pleasing appearance is desirable, but it can not put the dog's working ability into question ... German Shepherd breeding is working dog breeding, or it is not German Shepherd breeding"

References

• Coren, Stanley. The Intelligence of Dogs: A Guide To The Thoughts, Emotions, And Inner Lives Of Our Canine Companions. ISBN 0553374524.

• Rice, Dan. Training Your German Shepherd Dog. ISBN 0764108522.

• Choron, Sandra (2005). Planet Dog: A Doglopedia. Houghton Mifflin Books. ISBN 0618517529.

• Rice, Dan. Training Your German Shepherd Dog. ISBN 0764108522.

• Stevens, Katrina (2002). The German Shepherd Dog. Willow Creek Press. ISBN 1572235128.

• Willis, Malcolm. The German Shepherd Dog: A Genetic History. Maxwell Macmillan International. ISBN 0876051751. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |origdate= (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)

• Conan, Michel. The German Shepherd Handbook. ISBN 0764113321.

• von Stephanitz, Max (1994). The German Shepherd Dog in Word and Picture. Hoflin Publishing Ltd. ISBN 9789993280057. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)

• Cree, John. Training the Alsatian, the Obedient Companion or Working Partner. Pelham. ISBN 0720709938.

• Ross, John; McKinney, Barbara (1996). Puppy Preschool: Raising Your Puppy Right--right from the Start. St. Martin's Press. ISBN 0312140290.

• Willis, Malcolm (1976). The German Shepherd Dog: Its History, Development and Genetics. K and R Books. ISBN 0903264153.

• Strickland, Winifred Gibson (1998). The German Shepherd Today. Howell Book House. ISBN 0-87605-154-9. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |month= (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)

• Palika, Liz (2008). Your Happy Healthy Pet: German Shepherd Dog. Wiley. ISBN 0470192313.

Citations

1. ^ "German Shepherd — The Ultimate Service Dog". German Culture. Retrieved 2008-07-15.
2. ^ Coren, p.134
3. Rice, p.8
4. ^ "History of the Breed". German Shepherds.com. Retrieved 2008-07-15.
5. Rice, p.11
6. Stevens, p.11
7. "Progency list for V Beowulf". Pedigree Database. Retrieved 2008-08-14.
8. Willis, p.5}}
9. ^ Palika p.25
10. "AKC Dog Registration Statistics". American Kennel Club. Retrieved 2008-07-15.
11. ^ Forst, Rory. "A History of the German Shepherd Dog". German Shepherd Dog Helpline. Retrieved 2008-07-15. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
12. Conan, p.43
13. "The History of the German Shepherd Dog". German Shepherd Dog Club Queensland. Retrieved 2008-07-15.
14. ^ "German Shepherd Dog (Alsatian) Breed Standard". The Kennel Club (UK). Retrieved 2008-07-15.
15. "USA German Shepherd Dog Standard". United Schutzhund Clubs of America. Retrieved 2008-07-20.
16. ^ "German Shepherd Dog Breed Standard". American Kennel Club. Retrieved 2008-07-15.
17. Stowe, Holly. "German Shepherd Dog FAQ - "Why is a white GSD disqualified from the show ring in many clubs?"". Retrieved 2008-07-15.
18. "Rasse-Lexikon Deutscher Schäferhund" (in German). Verband für das Deutsche Hundewesen. Retrieved 2008-07-15.
19. von Stephanitz, p.12
20. "Ranks 1 to 10 - Brightest Dogs". Petrix. Retrieved 2008-07-15.
21. "The Top 10 Smartest Dog Breeds In The World". Pet Meds Online. Retrieved 2008-07-15.
22. "About the Breed". White Paws: German Shepherd Rescue. Retrieved 2008-07-15.
23. "Breed Standard — German Shepherd". New Zealand Kennel Club. Retrieved 2008-07-19. While the dog should be approachable and friendly, he does not make immediate friendships with strangers.
24. Cree, p.120-121
25. Dr. Kelly M. Cassidy. "Breed Data Summary". Retrieved 2008-07-19.
26. Dr. Kelly M. Cassidy. "Weight and Lifespan". Retrieved 2008-07-19.
27. Willis, p.31
28. "German Shepherd Dog Health Problems". Dog Biz. Retrieved 2008-07-19.
29. "German Shepherd Health Problems". Bodeus. Retrieved 2008-07-19.
30. ^ Strickland, p.17-28
31. "It's a dog's life in the Army". New Zealand Herald. 2008-07-22. Retrieved 2008-08-11.
32. Choron, p.40
33. Palika, p.22
34. Harder, Aimee. "GSD vs. WGSD — It's not a black or white issue!". White German Shepherd Dog Club of America. Retrieved 2008-07-20.

External links

• Template:Dmoz

• Dog breeds
• Dog breeds originating in Europe
• Dog breeds originating in Germany
• History of the German Shepherd Dog
• Herding dogs