German Shepherd – Deutscher Schägerhund

Origins
The German Shepherd dates back to the 1980th, when short-haired types of German herding dogs developed their own breeds. They were widespread throughout Europe. Among them were no pure herding dogs, but their funktion was to drive cattle and to guard their shepherd´s property. The German Shepherd´s ancestors were those breeds from Southern Germany, Thüringen and Württemberg.
Founder
The founder of the German Shepherd was Max von Stephanitz. He was the owner of the first German Shepherd, which was registered in the SVs breed registry. In 1898 he bought the three years old German Shepherd “Hektor von Linksrhein”. He was renamed into “Horand von Grafrath”. This German Shepherd and his brother “Luchs von Sparwasser” are the progenitors of most German Shepherds. “Mari von Grafrath” is known as the ancestress.
Breed
1891 Max von Stephanitz devided the German Shepherd into three classifications: the wire-haired, the flat-coated an the long-haired dogs. Their main characteristics were spiky erected ears, a stretched beak and a downwards oriented tail. Their average size was determined to be between 50 and 55 centimetres. The fur could be black, brown or red-yellow.
1894 the German Shepherd was first successfully presented at an exhibition in Dortmund.

By FCI standards the German Shepherd´s character has to be calm, even-tempered, completetly good-natured and able to withstand stress, because he should be an appropriate companion dog, guard dog or herding dog. A consequent breeding is necessary to preserve these excellent attitudes of the German Shepherd. He will need much space and even a good mental occupoation is inevitable.