What’s The Difference Between German Shepherd And Alsatian

A Short History The Role Of German Shepherd And How Alsatians Evolved

During the world war, both sides were employing the German Shepherd in their ranks to attack, surprise and outmaneuver their opponents. The German Shepherd being a big working dog with high intelligence and a natural propensity for training was considered to be of great value by the armed forces and was therefore hotly pursued. However, the British were loath to using the name German Shepherd as the Germans were their arch-enemy and they didnt want to associate with the Germans in any way, at least symbolically in this case. So, they coined a new name for the German Shepherd, Alsatian, which somehow some people has come to refer to as a different dog breed.

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History Of German Shepherd

There was a time in Europe, around 1850, when the standardization of the canine breed was at its peak. Most people breed their dogs only to preserve the traits that help them protect their animals from predators.

At first, these practices were common in local communities in Germany, but with increasing popularity in 1891, Phylax society came into being.

The main goal of the Phylax Society was to standardize dog breeds across the country. Due to some conflicts between members of the society, the Phylax Society was banned after three years of operation.

The conflict between the members occurs because some member thinks that dogs are raised only for the sole purpose of working.

The remaining members believed that dogs are bred only for their appearance. Unfortunately, the Phylax Society was unable to unite its members, and each member began to standardize different breeds independently.

Among the members of the Phylax Society, there was a student from the Berlin veterinary faculty, Max von Stephanitz, who is also a former captain of Calvary.

He was one of the members who believed that the dog should be bred for the sole purpose of work.

Von Stephanitz, in 1899, went to a dog show and bought a dog named Horand von Grafrath. He noted that Horands has exceptional traits such as intelligence, strength, and loyalty. Above all, he is a perfect working dog.

German Shepherds In The Top 5 Most Damaging Dog Bites By Breed

The American Animal Hospital Association conducted a study and concluded that German Shepherds were one of the most dangerous breeds based on bite severity and frequency of biting. This is not surprising given the fact that German Shepherds have one of the most powerful bites of all breeds. The study also concluded that large dogs with short, wide heads were the most likely to bite. This conclusion is supported by the fact that Pit bulls and Rottweilers are responsible for the highest number of fatal attacks. German Shepherds are more dangerous than the average breed, but they are not at the top of the list.

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Eight: Differences In Population

The GSD is the second most popular dog breed, according to the American Kennel Club. This means there are millions of GSDs and part-GSDs just in America. The future of our partner, this descendant of the wolf, is secure.

Not so for wolves. Many species teeter on the brink of extinction because they have been hunted ruthlessly by people. According to Wikipedia, only about 300,000 wolves remain in the entire world.

Children And Other Pets

If they’re well-trained and have had plenty of exposure to kids, especially as a puppy, a German Shepherd is a great companion for children. In fact, some say they’re a cross between a babysitter and a cop, both gentle with, and protective of, the children in their family.

This is a big dog, though, capable of mistakenly bumping a toddler or small child. True to their reserved nature, they’re not tail-wagging friendly with kids they don’t know, but they’re generally trustworthy.

The German Shepherd can also live peacefully with other dogs and pets, as long as they’re taught to do so from puppyhood. Introducing an adult German Shepherd to a household with other pets can be more difficult if the dog isn’t used to getting along with other dogs or cats. You may need to hire a professional trainer to help, or get advice from the rescue organization if that’s where you acquired the adult German Shepherd.

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One: Differences In Size

Although considered big dogs, only the largest equal the size and weight of the smallest wolf. According to the Integrated Taxonomic Integration System, wolves come in three species, but on average they range in height from 2.2 feet to 2.7 feet. GSDs range from 22 inches to 2.2 feet.

Wolves weigh anywhere from 51 pounds for a small female to 180 pounds for a big male. Like dogs, male wolves grow taller, longer, and heavier than females. In contrast, German shepherds only tip the scales at 49 to 88 pounds.

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German Shepherd Vs Alsatian

In fact, this question is one of the most frequently asked questions amongst dog enthusiasts around the world. Not surprisingly as they look so similar.

In short, the answer is surprisingly: None, German Shepherds and Alsatian dogs are the same dog breed. This confusion has been present throughout history.

So, where did these two names originate from?

During World War 1 dogs played a vital role. These dogs served as guards, messengers, ammunition carriers and even helped wounded soldiers on the battlefield by leading them to safety and medical attention.

Over 53,000 dogs where employed across the countries. There were many different breeds used during World War 1 but the most popular breads where German Shepherd dogs and Doberman Pinschers because of their amazing agility, strength, loyalty and trainability. Both of these breeds where native to Germany.

The British army disliked using the name German Shepherd because they were named after their enemy, Germany. The name wasnt only changed for this reason. There was also fear that the German Shepherd bread would not be accepted back home because of their name association with Germany. To protect the breed and not have the constant reminder of their enemy, it made sense for the British to call them a new name which wasnt influenced by Germany in anyway. It was decided they would call them Alsatian.

For more information on the German Shepherd breed as a whole please see our German Shepherd ultimate breed guide.

Why Are German Shepherds Not Called Alsatians

The breed was so named due to its original purpose of assisting shepherds in herding and protecting sheep. The breed was officially renamed by the UK Kennel Club to Alsatian Wolf Dog, after the French region of Alsace bordering Germany. This name was also adopted by many other international kennel clubs.

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Temperament Of German Shepherd Dog

You will be surprised to know that this breed needs to work to be happy.

He cant stay in the corner of the house and do nothing.

He will always need to have something to do because it is full of energy, and it has to burn it.

German Shepherd dog or Alsatian is a mix of fearless expression, self-confidence, and power.

German Shepherd dog does not lend itself to immediate friendship.

This dog has multiple capacities, and it can change and adapt to different circumstances.

It can be a great companion, watchdog, Leader, Herding, or working Dog.

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Are Alsatians More Expensive Than German Shepherds

As noted above, theyre the exact same dog, so you should pay the exact same price. However, we wouldnt put it past certain breeders to try to milk a few extra bucks out of unsuspecting customers by using the more pretentious Alsatian name.

Regardless of what you call them, these dogs can be the most expensive breed on the planet at the high end. In fact, one German Shepherd sold for $230,000 to a Minnesota businessperson, so youd better save your nickels and dimes if you plan on buying one of these elite dogs. That specific dog could speak three languages and help train horses, though, so its no doubt worth every penny.

Of course, most German Shepherds wont cost anywhere near that much. However, the reason some breeders can charge so much for these dogs is that they truly can be trained to do almost anything.

The average cost of a purebred German Shepherd can range from $500 to $1,500. However, if you want one with premium bloodlines, you can pay as much as $20,000 for the honor. Thats only for people who want to breed or show the dog, though.

You can also likely find a perfectly good German Shepherd at your local pound or from a rescue group. While a pound dog might not speak multiple languages, it can provide you with years of loving companionship. You can spend the $230,000 you saved on dog biscuits.

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When Were German Shepherds Alsatians

But in fact, the Alsatian and German Shepherd Dog is the same breed of dog. The Americans kept the original name German Shepherd, and this is still widely used. In 1977, after many campaigns by dog breeders, the name of the breed was changed back to German Shepherd Dog known as GSD in the short form.

What Is The Difference Between German Shepherds And Alsatians

The name Alsatian comes from the German French border area of Alsace-Lorraine however, the original name of the dog is German Shepherd dog. These two names have caused confusion over the years as some people think its a different dog breed. But in fact, the Alsatian and German Shepherd Dog is the same breed of dog.

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Seven: Differences In Tolerating Extreme Temperatures

You can find wolves living outside in all kinds of weather like blizzards near the Arctic Circle to the searing deserts of the Middle East.

They not only evolved bodies to thrive outside in extreme heat or cold, but they learn from older pack members how to cope in bad weather.

In sad contrast, the GSD needs what we could call creature comforts. Any dog, including a seemingly tough German shepherd, needs heat and shelter from the cold and plenty of shade in the heat. They have no one to teach them about the weather except us.

How Closely Related Are German Shepherds To Wolves

On this topic, there are many different opinions. You will see a lot of different answers and opinions around the web.

German Shepherd Dogs appear to be related to Wolves, but it is believed that they are not.

It is believed that they come from gray wolves. Most of our domestic dogs come from them.

But some researchers also believe that the German Shepherd dog is at least 10 % wolves.

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Different Types Of German Shepherd

These fierce and intelligent dogs are classified into two main types, show line and working line. You will be surprised by the fact that German Shepherds show line is divided into five different types.

The most common characters that separate different types of show lines are their coat and color. The coat can be differentiated according to the length of the hair. On the other hand, the working line is differentiated depending on their health and personality.

German Shepherds And Alsatians

Yes, A lot of people have this question, and often they are very confused. So here is a Simple and Clear Answer.

Are German Shepherd and Alsatian same? There is no difference between Alsatian and German Shepherd Dog. After World War 1 The Uk Kennel Club changed German Shepherds name to Alsatian Wolf Dog because of strong anti-German Sentiment. But Wolf Dog was dropped from the name Because it could harm the dogs popularity. In 2010 the dog Was renamed German Shepherd By Uk Kennel Club.

German Shepherd and Alsatian are 2 different names of 1 dog. After the world war 1 Uk Wanted to use the German shepherd dogs as military dogs as they were brilliant and excellent War dogs.

Uk did not want to use the word German, so they called the dog Alsatian.

Another reason was also protecting the dog because people Had a very negative feeling and the German Shepherd name could be dangerous for the dog.

Lets have a little look in the history to clear all the confusion.

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Skeletal Health And Supplementation

Musculoskeletal disorders are debilitating conditions that are often associated with genetic makeup, malnutrition, and stress-related events. Some breeds like the German shepherd, are predisposed to a variety of different skeletal disorders, including but not limited to: canine hip dysplasia, Cauda equina syndrome, and osteoarthritis. These conditions can be a result of poor breeding or induced by intense exercise and poor diet.

Canine hip dysplasia is an orthopedic condition resulting from abnormal development of the hip joint and surrounding tissue causing the instability and partial dislocation of the hip joint, resulting in pain, inflammation, lameness, and potentially osteoarthritis of the joint. German shepherds are genetically predisposed to CHD and the University of Veterinary Medicine in Germany found its prevalence estimated to be approximately 35% of veterinary cases associated with the disorder.

Osteoarthritis is one of the main contributors of musculoskeletal pain and disabilities that commonly affect German shepherds. Mechanical stress, oxidative damage and inflammatory mediators combine to induce the gradual degeneration of the articular cartilage in the joint, resulting in reduced muscle mass, pain, and locomotion.

Vitamins such as A and D also have crucial roles in bone development and maintenance by regulating bone and calcium metabolism. Adequate levels should be incorporated into a German shepherd diet to promote a healthy musculoskeletal system.

White Swiss Shepherd Dog

The White Swiss Shepherd Dog is a variety of the German Shepherd bred in Switzerland. It descends from the American White Shepherds the first stud dog of what became the breed was an American dog born in 1966 and imported to Switzerland. The variety was recognised by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale as a separate breed in 2003, and it is now recognised by a number of national kennel clubs.

• What is the difference between a German shepherd and an Alsation?

The name Alsatian comes from the German French border area of Alsace-Lorraine however, the original name of the dog is German Shepherd dog. These two names have caused confusion over the years as some people think its a different dog breed. But in fact, the Alsatian and German Shepherd Dog is the same breed of dog.

Are German Shepherds and Alsatian dogs the same?

What is the difference between a wolf and a German Shepherd? The British did not want to have the stigma of word German connected to the dog during the World Wars. Later the word Wolf was taken off and it just went by the name of Alsatian. Apart from this simple difference of terming the dog in two ways, there is no difference. The Alsatian is German shepherd only.

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