German Shepherd Basics
As far as we’re concerned, no list of iconic Germans is complete with out a little love for our favorite fury shepherds. That nation has given many gifts to the world, but none compare to the awesome power of the German Shepherd. This isn’t just one of the most popular dog breeds on the market, it’s also one of the best. So, what is it about the German Shepherd that people love so much? Quite frankly, that’s almost an impossible question to answer. There’s just so much to love. It’s not all about the fact that the breed makes great police dogs, though we do adore our four legged pups of the law!
Sometimes known as an Alsatian, the German Shepherd is one of the most renowned breeds of dog out there in the world. German Shepherds are strong, loyal, and are highly responsive to training. Sure, they can often be larger and a little intimidating, but that doesn’t scare people off: German Shepherds are one of the most popular pets in the world. It’s impossible not to fall for these handsome gentlemen of the dog world. They are irresistible.
Thanks to its large size, strength, and ability to behave obediently, German Shepherds are often used for police and military purposes. But what about a German Shepherd separates it from other dogs? As you’re about to learn, the German Shepherd might look like a classic breed, but it is actually a relatively new and unique type of dog. Yes, they do originally hail from Germany, but today German Shepherds are one of the most popular and recognizable dog breeds in the world.
The only question is whether or not the German Shepherd is the right pup to bring into your home. That’s why you’re hear right? To learn everything that you could possibly want to know about owning a German Shepherd? Good. Keep your eyes glued to this page and scroll away. All will be revealed. All you need to do is keep reading.
These dogs are strong, loyal, and are highly response to training.
Origin
German Shepherds do indeed get their name from Deutschland, because that’s where the first standard-bred Shepherds appeared. The twist? German Shepherds are actually a relatively young breed, having been fully bred in the 19th century. I’ll bet you didn’t see that coming? This breed is not as old as Germany itself. Instead, it’s a trim 200 years old. Practically a baby.
As efforts were being made throughout the 19th century to standardize dog breeds – perhaps more of an art than a science – German Shepherds grew out of a group of dogs that were good at shepherding. German dog owners bred dogs that were good at rounding up sheep, protecting the flocks, and had strong, swift bodies. To say these dogs were good at shepherding would be an understatement, they mastered the form and set the standard.
At the same time, these proto-German Shepherds often were a great deal different from the Shepherds in other towns and regions in northern Europe. But as enthusiasm for dog breed standardization grew, a man named Max von Stephanitz, a lover of work dogs, found a dog at a dog show that would come to be known as the “first” German Shepherd. He changed the dog’s name to Horand von Grafrath and Horand became the founding German Shepherd. Too few German Shepherds have been granted the privilege of having a “von” in their name since that OG German Shepherd. This needs to be addressed.
So, good news reader! When your child asks you why they’re called “German Shepherds,” you’ll finally have an amusingly direct answer to give them.
Pedigree
