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Sierra Working Dogs |
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Wenatchee German Shepherds Walburga German Shepherds Widerhall German Shepherds |
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Many generations of German Shepherds have passed since that era. Throughout the years the breed’s direction has changed according to who is in control of the SV. The breed was basically united through the 1960’s. Then a definite split became more evident between conformation show bloodlines and working bloodlines. Much has been written over the years both in print and on the internet about these divisions. We don’t intend to discuss the different positions here except to say at this point in time the German Shepherd Dog is divided into various definite types and bloodlines. These types are very different in physical appearance, temperament and working drives. The most common divisions are: American Show Lines, German/European Show Lines, and Working Lines. (To see examples and learn more about the various types of GSD’s we recommend viewing “The Breed Standard” and “Breed Types” on Linda Shaw’s excellent website: http://www.shawlein.com/ ) The working lines that we see today can further be studied as either competition Schutzhund “Sport” dogs or dogs who work at actual jobs in the community. These jobs would include: Police Dogs, Guide Dogs, Search and Rescue Dogs, and various Detector Dogs. Many working dogs are European imports or from import bloodlines. Many are also born in the USA and Canada. There is always a need for dogs with the versatile character and abilities of the foundation German Shepherd Dogs created by Captain Max von Stephanitz.
Today we strive to breed dogs to include the focus on utility and intelligence so that we may be true to the Captain’s struggle that the “shepherd dog remains a working dog……” |
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The dogs used to herd and guard sheep and cattle during the 18th and 19th centuries were true working dogs. Appearance was not important, utility was the only requirement. The dogs needed only to do their job: to herd stock and work with their master. There were many different types of herding dogs in many regions of Germany. Captain Max von Stephanitz is given credit for molding that wide variety of herding dogs into the breed we know today as the German Shepherd Dog. |
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With the Captain’s leadership the Verein fur Deutsche Schaferhunde (the SV) was formed in 1899. The standard of the breed was based on utility and intelligence. The focus on utility allowed the German Shepherd Dog to be developed into a breed capable of performing a variety of service work in the community. Once the consistent working ability was established breeders began to develop appearance and beauty as well as working qualities.
The German Shepherd Dog became known for it’s work not only as a herding dog but as a police dog and for it’s valor during World War I. The breed’s popularity began to spread outside of Germany. In England the breed became known as the Alsatian and in 1913 the German Shepherd Dog club of America was formed. |
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Unfortunately the growing popularity of a breed is inherent with pitfalls. As the volume of breeding increases, the quality of the breeding often decreases. In Germany the SV grew to thousands of members with hundreds of chapters, it became big business. A well controlled, dictatorial business, but a big business none-the-less. In 1925 von Stephanitz’s principles of breeding dogs were printed in his book “The German Shepherd Dog in Word and Pictures” These are the principles which guided the development of the breed during these years and were later responsible for rebuilding the breed after it’s near destruction during World War II. So long after his retirement from the SV in 1935 von Stephanitz’s ideas were guiding the strength of the breed in Germany. |
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History of the German Shepherd Dog |