German Shepherd

In 1878, German dog breeders with herding abilities made a first attempt at regrouping with the aim of improving their dogs. These dogs are very varied from a phenotypic point of view, notably according to regions: for example, the Württemberg type has erect ears, while that of Thuringia has drooping ears. There are also different dogs in Bavaria or in Hesse. But their main common point is their character which makes them good guardians of herds and property: intelligence, obedience, vigilance, incorruptibility. We also find in all robustness and rusticity, since until then, the empirical selection that had been carried out aimed to obtain good genealogies — attempting to establish a society, the Phylax, but the project did not succeed. It is cavalry captain Max Emil Frederick von Stephanitz who will be the true "father" of the breed. After long admiring the abilities of herding dogs, he decides to buy one on April 3, 1899. Its original name is Hektor von Linksrhein, which he later renames Horand von Grafrath. This one is gray and yellow, rather of the Thuringian shepherd type (but with erect ears). Von Stephanitz and Arthur Meyer then create the breed club on April 22, 1899 in Karlsruhe (Verein für Deutsche Schäferhunde (en) or SV), the captain will be at its head for thirty-five years. On September 28, 1899, the first standard of the breed is published, and in 1900, Horand inaugurates the SV's book of origins ("Zuchtbuch"). What will later be the strength of the breed is the breadth of its leaders in the first definition of the German Shepherd: "any herding dog living in Germany which, through constant exercise of its qualities as a herding dog, achieves perfection of its body and psyche within the framework of its useful function". The goals are clear, so it is through and for work that the selection of the German Shepherd begins. The club quickly presents an important and organized activity. Already in 1902, a journal is published for all its members, and in 1903 a selection register sees the light with the compilation of the performance of breeding stock. Progress will be rapid because well-directed at the national level and well-followed by the efforts of breeders (1,215 members in 1906). Work began to seek females of the same type and to organize exhibitions to standardize the breed, and in particular a national breeding exhibition which allows all breeders in the country to choose homogeneous breeding stock. Gradually, other uses were found for the German Shepherd besides herding flocks (whose numbers were decreasing). Its qualities of robustness, its exceptional sense of smell and its unquestionable obedience encouraged German police to use it. In 1914, the SV and the army organize a demonstration of the German Shepherd's possibilities in wartime, to which it later paid a heavy price. In 1922, the Körung examination is put in place for the selection of breeding stock; those declared fit for breeding are entered in the Körbuch register. In 1926, the book of origins already contains 346,000 registered dogs. In the 1950s, the gun test and character test make their appearance. The SV is renowned for the control it imposes on breeding: limited number of matings, choice of stallion in agreement with the breeding supervisor, prohibition of mating a female recommended by a non-recommended male, etc. All these measures aim to guide selection for the better. Katzmair and Funk succeed von Stephanitz, then Dr. Rummel in 1971. In 1974, the World Union of German Shepherd Associations (WUSV) is created, thanks to the desire to regroup by Dr. Rummel, who encouraged "fruitful dialogue, both for breeding and for use". In 1982, Hermann Martin (von Arminius breeding) became

The well-trained German Shepherd is obedient. It often demonstrates great intelligence. It can also be a very good guard dog. When well-trained it will only bark when appropriate. The German Shepherd embodies versatility perfectly. A working dog par excellence, it can be trained as a police dog, herding dog, tracker and as a guide dog for the blind. This dog attaches very quickly to humans and also adapts very well to family life. It must be trained firmly but without brutality, because under sometimes impressive and dissuasive appearances it is a great sensitive. It does not tolerate solitude well. It is an outdoor dog that appreciates wide open spaces and exercise. It is athletic and needs to exert itself regularly. At adult age the German Shepherd is often a dog very attached to its surroundings, so it sometimes instinctively protects children.

The German Shepherd is a dog that is both very athletic and elegant, thanks to its flexible size. Its coat is dense, rough and straight. Its coat is black-brown-fawn, black or gray. Its nose is dark (black), its eyes are almond-shaped brown and its ears are erect. Its tail is drooping and bushy. There are also two varieties equally recognized: short-haired or long-haired. German Shepherds are very versatile dogs made up of two lineages: