How Did German Shepherds Originated

Are German Shepherds Part Wolf

When out walking my German Shepherd, I sometimes get asked whether they are part wolf due to the visual similarities.

German Shepherds are not part wolf but descended from the gray wolf. Despite sharing 99.9% of their DNA with wolves and being genetically very close, they are not wolves. All domesticated dogs are members of the Canidae family 34 species, including wolves, coyotes, jackals, dingoes, and foxes.

Ive always found it fascinating how wolves evolved into dogs and how they diversified into so many different visual breeds, from pugs to poodles.

Many people believe that German Shepherds are even more closely related to the wolf due to the understanding that his direct ancestor Horand von Grafrath was at least one-quarter wolf.

There is still some ongoing debate about how much wolf is actually in the German Shepherd breed despite it being thought that Horand was part wolf and that von Stephanitz used wolfdogs in the subsequent crossbreeding.

What Is The Life Expectancy Of A Sheprador Mix

Your mix should get used to meeting new people from a young age so that they do not get stressed in changing environments. This will also help your Sheprador become a friendly and well-trained adult. Your mix will have a life expectancy of 10 to 12 years on average.

There is no set date as to when and where this mixed breed was first bred.cHowever, as both the German Shepherd and Labrador Retriever are popular breeds then they have probably been around for a while. The German Shepherd is one of the worlds most popular dog breeds. They originated as a working dog in Germany in 1899.

Origin of the Sheprador. There is no set date as to when and where this mixed breed was first bred.cHowever, as both the German Shepherd and Labrador Retriever are popular breeds then they have probably been around for a while. The German Shepherd is one of the worlds most popular dog breeds. They originated as a working dog in Germany in 1899.

When Did The German Shepherd Mix Come Out

There is no set date as to when and where this mixed breed was first bred.cHowever, as both the German Shepherd and Labrador Retriever are popular breeds then they have probably been around for a while. The German Shepherd is one of the worlds most popular dog breeds. They originated as a working dog in Germany in 1899.

Also Check: Why Does My German Shepherd Look Skinny

At What Age Are German Shepherds Fully Grown

about 18 months oldLike many large dog breeds, a German Shepherd is not considered fully grown until they are about 18 months old. Female German Shepherds are fully grown around two years old. While males, who grow to be larger than their female counterparts, reach their full size around two and a half years old.

Why Are German Shepherds Bred With Sloped Backs

Why do German Shepherds backs sloped? GSD has evolved through the years which has resulted in many different bloodlines. According to some breeders and some GSD clubs, having sloped backs and angulated hind legs will give GSDs more force in their gait, allowing them to function better than straight backs.

Don’t Miss: How To Potty Train A German Shepherd Dog

The History Of The German Shepherdposted By Larissa On Mar 7 2017 In Uncategorized

You can guess from the name, the German Shepherd originates from Germany. After getting lots of positive feedback from my last post about the history of the Dachshund , Im keeping the theme of German dogs and will be writing about how and why the German Shepherd came about.

ein Welpe a puppy. Photo by Marilyn Peddle

The German Shepherd originated in Germany in the 19th century and was bred to be a working dog. As the name suggests, the German Shepherd was bred to herd sheep. The breed was created by a man called Max von Stephanitz because of its characteristics: selbstsicher , klug , schnell und aufmerksam which altogether make the perfect working dog.

A Change in NameThe original name in German is der Deutscher Schäferhund, and literally translates to the German Shepherd. During World War I the name was changed by the UK Kennel Club as they were worried that the name would affect the popularity of the breed as it was associated with Germany . They changed the name to Alsatian Wolf Dog but after the war they changed it to Alsatian as they thought by calling the breed a wolf it might give off the wrong impression. Eventually the name was changed back to German Shepherd, although it is still common to hear the breed being called Alsatian.

A mans best friend. Photo by gomagoti

If you own a German Shepherd then let me know in the comments below! I hope you enjoyed these posts on the history of these two popular breeds of dogs.

Bis zum nächsten Mal!

Where Did German Shepherds Originally Come From

German Shepherd/OriginAs the name suggests, the German Shepherd originated in Germany in the late 1800s. The most intelligent, responsive and obedient local shepherd dogs in Germany were bred to create what is now known as the German Shepherd. This breed was responsible for herding sheep and protecting flocks from predators.

Breed History: Where Did German Shepherds Come From the-dog-blog posts breed-hi

Recommended Reading: Who Would Win In A Fight German Shepherd Or Pitbull

Alsatian And German Shepherd Dogs Differences And Distinguishing Features

A very common question among dog lovers around the world is whether the Alsatian and the German Shepherd dogs are one and the same, or are they different. If you take a straw poll, I am pretty sure you are going to get contradictory answers. This is hardly surprising considering the fact that they look so alike. So, what is the truth then? The truth is they are the same dog with only different names.

Surprised? You should be.

What differentiates the Alsatian from the German Shepherd Dog?

There seems to be a raging debate among dog lovers for quite some time now, with many claiming that they are different, as different as apples and oranges and are bred for different purposes. Some claim that there are structural differences between the dogs, others say that it is the size and color, while even others wants to stress on their places of origin. The proponents of the last theory say that Alsatian originated in Alsace in France while the German Shepherd in Germany.

With so many claims and counter claims, any dog lover is bound to get confused and helpless. So let me put things into perspective for you.

German Shepherd Breed Characteristics

• German Shepherds stand around two feet tall. Males can reach 24 to 26 inches and females between 22 and 24 inches.
• A medium-to-large sized working dog, male German Shepherds weigh between 65 and 90 pounds and females between 50 and 70 pounds.
• German Shepherds have a double coat. The outer coat is dense and can be straight or a little wavy, whilst the undercoat is thick but soft.

• German Shepherds are one of the most common police dogs used for everyday duties. The trainability and intelligence of the breed make it the ideal candidate for police work.
• German Shepherds are considered one of the most intelligent dog breeds, along with the Border Collie and Poodle.
• Contrary to popular belief, German Shepherds are very loving and protective pets of their owners. However, they can display aggression if their aggressive tendencies arent kept in check.

Read Also: When Do A German Shepherd Ears Stand

The Beginnings Of Standardisation

Stephanitz purchased property near Grafrath in the 1890s where he began experimenting with dog breeding. He used many of the techniques utilised by English dog breeders of the period. He was primarily interested in improving the German shepherding dogs because they were local and were the working dogs of his time. Stephanitz enjoyed attending dog shows and observed that there were many different types of shepherding dogs in use in Germany but there was no breed standardisation. He greatly admired those dogs with a wolf-like appearance and prick ears who also were intelligent, had sharp senses and willingness to work and believed that he could create a better working dog that could then be used throughout Germany.

He purchased his first dog Hektor Linksrhein in 1899 and changed his name to Horand von Grafrath. Horand was used as the primary breeding stud by Stephanitz and other breeders and is the foundation of the German Shepherd breed as we know it. Stephanitz used the knowledge he had acquired during his years at the Veterinary College and “…established a grand design he wanted breeders to aim for with judging based on angle of bones, proportions and overall measurements.” Horand’s son Hektor v. Schwaben and his grandsons Heinz v. Starkenburg, Beowolf and Pilot were also instrumental in standardizing the breed. Dogs from other areas of Germany such as Franconia, Württemberg and Thuringia were also used as breeders.

When Does A German Shepherd Puppy Become Independent

This is the beginning of the transitional period of GSD development which typically lasts about a week or so. This is also a period of profound changes in the German Shepherd puppies growth and development. The German Shepherd puppy will begin to be more independent from its mom during this time.

Your mix will have a life expectancy of 10 to 12 years on average. Although designer dogs are usually bred to produce the perfect mix of breeds with minimal health problems, they may still unfortunately be inherited. The German Shepherd Mix Lab has been known to suffer with Dysplasia and Bloat.

Don’t Miss: German Shepherd Temperature Tolerance

Mating Combinations Of The German Shepherd Dog

The most lasting and notable mating combination of the German shepherd dog by von Stephanitz was an offspring of Horand, named Hektor von Schwaben. Hektor was inbred with another one of Horands offspring, and this produced Beowulf. Beowulf produced 84 pups, mostly matings from Hektors other offspring. Beowulf and his related bloodline are the ancestors of all German Shepherds today, mostly owing to the efforts and attentive care of Max von Stephanitz. This was a huge factor in German Shepherd history and todays further development of the breed.

Max Emil Friedrich Von Stephanitz Shares His Experience

Max von Stephanitz had determined that a working dog needed several common characteristics, including intelligence, loyalty, and tireless devotion to completing the tasks required of him. It had taken him years to achieve his goal of creating a standard for the German Shepherd breed as a whole. He committed to sharing his knowledge and experience in writing. He published his book, calling it The German Shepherd Dog in Word and Picture. Written in 1925, translated by J. Schwabacher, and reprinted in 1994 by Hoflin Publishing, Von Stephanitzs reference to the ideal dog is the following:

Untiring, always zealous for duty, always attentive, always ready to serve, such is the character of our shepherd dog.

Recommended Reading: How To Tell If A German Shepherd Is Full Breed

West Highland White Terrier

– Origins: ScotlandThe West Highland white terriermore commonly known as Westiesmade its debut in Scotland, most likely in the former county of Argyll. The Malcolm family bred the small white dogs for a number of years before the Westie went public at a London dog show in 1907. The breed was officially registered with the American Kennel Club in 1908 under the name of Roseneath terrier, but the name didn’t last long, and the following year the breed was officially called the West Highland white terrier. A popular children’s book series by Rosemary Wells features a Westie named McDuff.

What Is A Good German Name For A Dog

50 German Male Dog Names. Algernoble, bright. Alfredcounselor. Arvinfriend to all. Augustexalted, revered. Axelpeaceful. Bernardbrave as a bear. BismarckGerman statesman. 50 German Female Dog Names. Adanoble, kind. Annikagraceful. Aubreynoble. Beatehappy. Bertaintelligent, glorious. Brittastrength.

Also Check: How Much Should A German Shepherd Eat A Day

At The Beginning Of A New Breed

Von Stephanitz relied heavily on inbreeding of the German shepherd dog, tasking Horand and his brother, Luchs, to expand the bloodline through half-sisters and sons daughters. Three prime dogs resulted from the breeding: Heinz von Starkenberg, Pilot III, and Beowulf. Soon, unrelated bloodlines were introduced, which possessed herding origins, eventually expanding the bloodline.

What Were German Shepherd Bred For Originally

• Who bred the first German shepherd?

The German Shepherd Dog is a breed of large-sized dog that originated in Germany in 1899. As part of the Herding Group, German Shepherds are working dogs developed originally for herding and guarding sheep.

What was the first breed of German Shepherd? It was not long before people realised that this was a dog of extraordinary intelligence and that it had a suitability for working. In 1899 a breed society known as Der Verein fur Deutsch Schaferhunde was formed in Germany. The first registered dog in the stud book was Horand v Grafath.

What is the origin of the German Shepherd Dog? The Deutsche Schäferhund or German Shepherd Dog originated from herding breeds in Germany in the late 1800s under the guidance of Captain Max von Stephanitz. It was not long before people realised that this was a dog of extraordinary intelligence and that it had a suitability for working.

What was the german shepherd named for? The breed was named Deutscher Schäferhund by von Stephanitz, literally translating to German Shepherd Dog. The breed was so named due to its original purpose of assisting shepherds in herding and protecting sheep.

Should german shepherd be bred? The modern German Shepherd breed is criticized by some for straying away from Max von Stephanitzs original ideology that German Shepherds should be bred primarily as working dogs and that breeding should be strictly controlled to eliminate defects quickly.

You May Like: How Cold Can A German Shepherd Stay Outside

The History And Origin Of The German Shepherd Dog

Other names for the German Shepherd Dog

Alsatian

The German Shepherd Dog is a breed of large-sized dog that originated in Germany in 1899. As part of the Herding Group, German Shepherds are working dogs developed originally for herding and guarding sheep. Because of their strength, intelligence and abilities in obedience training they are often employed in police and military roles around the world.

What Did German Shepherds Do In World War 1

German Shepherd Dog Photo: PDPics.com In 1914, at the beginning of World War I, German Shepherd Dogs began serving with the German Military. They performed a number of tasks on the battlefield and within the ranks of the German Army. These new dogs served as sentries, messengers, and ammunition carriers.

Read Also: Why Does My German Shepherd Bark So Much

Red Sable German Shepherd

The red sable German Shepherd color is another variation on their sable coat which is due to the dominant agouti gene.

These genes however are not diluted like in the gray Shepherd, in this coat, a deep reddish-brown replaces the usual tan in the sable pattern.

This coat coloration has intermingling of red and black over most areas of their body.

How The Breed Gained Popularity

The UK Kennel Club was an instrumental group during the early years of dog breeding and domestication. The UK Kennel Club didnt accept the GSD on its registry until 1919, and when they did, there were only 54 of them registered.

The small numbers didnt last long, though. 7 years later, in 1926, the number of German Shepherds had grown from a mere 54 to over 8,000. By this time, GSDs were becoming internationally well known. This was partly due to world events at the time.

The breed of dogs was internationally-recognized towards the end of the first World War because many soldiers returned home with stories about the dogs. They told their families and friends about how friendly, strong, and loyal these amazing dogs were.

Naturally, people saw potential in the breed. Animal actors from the United States helped to further spread the popularity of the German Shepherd, and soon they were becoming registered in the United States.

The first one registered in the US was named the Queen of Switzerland, but she was not able to contribute very much to the breed itself. While she may have helped to spread popularity, her children did not survive thanks to improper breeding techniques. This hindered the growing popularity of the breed, but dogs this amazing were bound to find their popularity again.

Read Also: My German Shepherd Puppy Bites

What Were German Shepherds Called During Ww2

Alsatian Wolf DogBecause of this, the name of the breed was changed to the Alsatian. Later, after World War II, the name was changed again to the Alsatian Wolf Dog, to remove the Hitler Germany connection. Bonus fact: These dogs were first introduced to America in 1906 and quickly became very popular.

Black And Cream German Shepherd

The black and cream German Shepherd is simply a lighter variation of the stereotypical black and tan variation.

Their back is covered in a black saddle-like pattern and they will also have a mask of black fur covering their face.

The difference is this coat has a lighter shade as opposed to tan.

The black coloration against their cream fur can really accentuate their gorgeous black markings.

Recommended Reading: German Shepherd Swimming