History of the German Shepherd dog

Capt. Max von Stephanitz is known as the father of the German Shepherd Dog breed. This is true to some extent, but the breed had been around in it's rough form since the mid 1800s. Sheep herders in Germany, had been breeding and refining the qualities that made a good herding dog and many of these dogs were similar in type to what we now know as the German Shepherd Dog.

On April 3, 1899, Max von Stephanitz attended one of the earliest dog shows for all breeds ever held in Germany. On that day, von Stephanitz purchased a herding dog he observed at the show, Hektor Linksrheim (later named Horand von Grafrath), and he decided to form the Verein fur Deutsche Schaferhunde or the S.V. Horand was the first dog to be registered with the S.V. and set the standard for the early breeders.

Though herding was the German Shepherd Dog's original purpose, von Stephanitz recognized the importance of expanding the breed's usefulness in other directions and persuaded the government to use the German Shepherd Dog in police and military work. The German Shepherd Dog was used extensively by the police, military and went on to become the first dogs used as Guide Dogs for the blind.

Here are some great links to learn more about the history of the German Shepherd Dog as well as its many current uses....

Please visit the National War Dog Memorial Fund site. (I suggest you read the stories with plenty of tissues on hand)

Photos of the Fort Benning USAF Wardog and Handler Pedestal.

The American Herding Breed Association

Guide Dogs for the Blind

germanshepherds.com

GSD Reviewed

United Schutzhund Club of America

American Kennel Club

http://www.war-dogs.com/

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