German Shepherd dogs are quite popular. With their high intelligence and loyalty, that’s doesn’t come as a surprise.

The breed exists because of a one-chance meeting.

Back in 1950, people needed working shepherd dogs for herding and protecting sheep. At this point, there were already attempt to standardized breeds. People bred dogs that showed intelligence, strength, speed, and acute smell.

Although the attempt was somehow successful, there were great differences in the dogs’ ability and appearance from one locality to another.

To address such differences, a group was formed. Phylax Society was established to create standardized dog breeds throughout Germany. Three years after, it was disbanded due to differences in views.

A former student of the Berlin Veterinary College named Max von Stephanitz didn’t give up on his dream of breeding the perfect working dog.

When he attended a dog show in 1899, he was introduced to a dog named Hektor Linksrhein. Max was impressed with its strength and beauty that he immediately purchased him.

After getting transferred to his care, he changed the dog’s name to Horand von Grafrath.

He founded the Society for the German Shepherd Dog or the Verein für Deutsche Schäferhunde. Eventually, his dog was considered the first German Shepherd dog. Howard was also the first dog that was added to the breed register.

Horand became the main focus of the breeding programs back then.

He was bred with other members’ dogs that showed desirable traits. His most successful puppy was Hektor von Schwaben. He was later inbred with another of his father’s offspring, producing another dog named Beowulf. The dog was able to produce 84 puppies.

In 1919, the UK Kennel Club started accepting registrations for German Shepherd dogs.

At that time, about 54 dogs were registered. By 1926, that number had reached 8,000.

German Shepherd dogs earned extra recognition during the latter part of World War I.

At that point, returning soldiers shared amazing stories about the breed. Apart from that, actors like Strongheart and Rin Tin Tin added to its popularity.

Modern German Shepherd dogs are a bit different.

They are often criticized and questioned for straying away from Max’s original ideology for German Shepherd dogs. That was to primarily breed working dogs and eliminating defects as soon as possible.

Irresponsible and careless breeding has caused an increase in defects in the breed.

Due to a lack of regulation on breeding, the number of dogs being born with defects continues to increase. The list includes monochidism, hip dysplasia, missing teeth, and poor temperament.

On owning German Shepherd dogs

Like with most dogs, owning a GSD comes with a long list of responsibilities. You have to make sure that they are properly trained.

They are highly active dogs. If you don’t engage them in good exercises, they can easily get out of control. They can chase every animal they see. They may even be extra protective of their territory.

Fortunately, German Shepherd dogs are easy to train. They are intelligent dogs who always like to do work for their humans.

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Source: Wikipedia, The Kennel Club