The fascinating history of the German Shepherd

Versatile. Intelligent. Loyal. Courageous. Faithful.

When dog lovers hear this description, most think of the German Shepherd – and rightly so. This breed is the most well-known and beloved in the world. Whether it's a loving family dog, a respected service dog, or a brave rescue dog – with its unique character, the German Shepherd is a loyal companion for many. Legendary are the movie stars Rin Tin Tin, Rex, and Max, who have won the hearts of audiences.

We owe the development of this breed to a particular man and an exceptional dog. Without the two of them, the German Shepherd, as we know it today, would not exist.

We are excited about this unique story. It demonstrates how love (in this case, the love of animals) and a clear vision can change the world (of dogs).

The ancestors of the most popular dog breed: How it all began.

The dog has been considered man's best friend for thousands of years. Archaeological excavations show that prehistoric humans were already walking with dogs. However, the global success story of the German Shepherd began about 125 years ago.

The ancestors of the German Shepherd come from Germany. Small local breeds, such as the "shepherd dog" from Swabia and the mountain shepherd dogs from the Harz region, were part of this lineage. These animals could adapt to various environments. Their ability to protect herds and their intelligence made them popular working dogs.

Max von Stephanitz: The Man Who Changed the Canine World

At the end of the 19th century, the German aristocrat **Max von Stephanitz**, a Prussian officer and dog enthusiast, lived. His heart beat for the various varieties of shepherd dogs of that time. He enthusiastically observed how these dogs responded to gestures and vocal commands. His passion was devoted to these intelligent and perceptive animals that took pleasure in working.

At dog shows, he noticed that many different dog breeds were referred to as "shepherd dogs," but there were no uniform rules regarding their appearance and character.

Vision and Love: The Discovery of the Perfect Working Dog

Von Stephanitz had a vision. He was convinced that he could breed the ideal working dog – strong, intelligent, willing to work, and affectionate, all while having a healthy physical constitution. These animals were to be utilized throughout Germany.

In 1898, he discovered the dog "Hektor Linksrhein." He immediately fell in love with this animal, which possessed all the desired characteristics. He purchased it from a shepherd and renamed it. « Horand von Grafrath » Horand was then 3 years old.

Horand: The Number One of German Shepherds

On April 22, 1899, von Stephanitz, along with his friend Artur Meyer, founded in Stuttgart the Verein für Deutsche Schäferhunde (SV).As the first president of the association and the creator of the German Shepherd, von Stephanitz made his mark in history.

With the registration number "One," Horand von Grafrath was entered into the breed registry of the association and is still considered to this day as the First German Shepherd and the ancestor of the breed. Today, he has over 2 million purebred descendants.

The Character of Horand: A Model for the Entire Breed

Horand was revered by many dog lovers and embodied the versatile working dog.

In the evaluation of his temperament, it is said that

Horand's temperament reflected the characteristics for which the breed is known. He was sensitive, curious, and playful. At the same time, he was very intelligent and had a tendency to get into mischief out of boredom. With his high energy, he was able to form strong family bonds.

Max von Stephanitz wrote about him:

… a gentleman with a boundless zest for life. Although he had been a poorly trained puppy, he obeyed at the slightest signal. When left alone, he showed his wild side – an incorrigible rascal. Never lazy, always active and friendly with people. What would he have become with proper education? His flaws were not due to his lineage but to his upbringing. He suffered from unutilized energy. When someone attended to him, he was the most obedient dog.

Famous Descendants: This is the Origin of the Modern German Shepherd

As a successful breeding dog, Horand sired many puppies. His most famous son is Hektor von Schwaben.

Among the famous descendants of Hektor are Heinz von Starkenburg, Beowolf and Pilot.These male dogs were used in subsequent breeding programs, and all modern German Shepherds descend from them as well as from their descendants.

The Revolution in Breeding: Von Stephanitz's Innovative Standards

Under von Stephanitz's leadership, the association established strict rules that still exist today.

• The breed registry records important data of the animals, allowing for the tracing of the ancestors of all purebred dogs.
• The breed standard particularly states that German Shepherds must measure between 55 and 65 cm, depending on their sex. A dense coat with an undercoat, straight ears, a strong tail, and well-developed muscles are also part of the characteristics.
• The selection book defines what physical and mental attributes the animals must possess to be eligible for breeding.

Von Stephanitz maintained strict quality control until his death in 1936. His focus was on improving the breed and the performance of the dogs. His breeding philosophy was:

Utility before beauty.

Trials were developed that still serve as the foundation for evaluating German Shepherds today. In 1901, the first protection test took place, during which the dogs' abilities in tracking, obedience, and protection were assessed.

These advancements have led not only to an improvement of this specific breed, but many rules established by the SV have been adopted by other breeding clubs. This also ensures that other dog breeds place importance on character, health, and responsible breeding. It can be said with certainty that the vision of

Max von Stephanitz changed the canine world.

The Breeding Goals of the German Shepherd: On the Path to the Ideal Companion

It is also from him that the idea originated to not use the German Shepherd solely as a herding dog. He recognized their potential as communication dogs, rescue dogs, guard dogs, and personal protection dogs. He actively and tirelessly promoted the use of these animals in these fields.

His book " The German Shepherd in Words and Images "still remains one of the most important works in canine breeding. In it, he describes the breeding goals of the breed that are still relevant today.

• Intelligent et capable d’apprendre
• Physically robust and enduring
• Great willingness to work and versatile
• Balanced and loyal
• Healthy and resilient
• Adaptable to various environments
• Strong instinct for protection and herding

Remerciements à Max von Stephanitz : Le pionnier du Berger Allemand

Thanks to Max von Stephanitz's love for dogs and his vision, the German Shepherd has found its place in our society. Whether as a working dog, a family dog, or a rescue dog – loyal, faithful, and courageous, this dog is by your side.

Max von Stephanitz passed away at the age of 72, on the day of the 37th anniversary of the founding of the German Shepherd Club.

Thank you, Mr. von Stephanitz.

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