• Canadian Kennel Club (CKC) - Herding Dogs


• American Kennel Club (AKC) - Herding Group


• United Kennel Club (UKC) - Herding Breeds


• The Kennel Club [U.K.] (KC) - Pastoral


• Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) * - Standard No. 166

* — The Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) is the World Canine Organisation, which includes members (one member per country) that each issue their own pedigrees and train their own judges. The FCI recognizes 332 breeds, with each being the "property" of a specific country. The FCI is not a breed registry nor does it issue pedigrees.

Captain Max von Stephanitz, known as the father of the German Shepherd Dog breed, used various old German herding and farm dog breeds as his foundation stock in the development of the breed. In 1899, he and Adolf Meyer, Ernst Von Otto and others formed the parent club for the breed, the Verein für Deutsche Schaferhunde (SV). A stud book was immediately started upon the founding of the club and the first dog to be registered was von Stephanitz' dog, Hordand von Grafrath. The SV established very strict guidelines for breeders and included the control of which dogs could be used for breeding, which dog could be bred to whom, and both parents had to have working titles plus at least a "G" (good) conformation rating. This very strict control exercised by the SV enabled the German Shepherd breed to thrive and the SV soon became the largest single Breed Club in the world.

During the First World War, both German and French military were using German Shepherds as well as other breeds for various duties, including search and rescue of casualties; guarding the troops; and transporting ammunition, messages and first aid supplies between the trenches. Allied soldiers were very impressed with the courage of these dogs and brought captured German Shepherds home with them after the war. Also during this war, many soldiers were blinded and the German authorities began training German Shepherds as "seeing eye" dogs as well. Today, the German Shepherd remains one of the most popular choices for guide dog work.

By the 1920s, Strongheart, who had been originally trained as an attack dog in Germany, and Rin Tin Tin, who was originally rescued as a puppy from a German bunker, had hit the big screen and as a result the breed gained extreme popularity outside of Germany. Unfortunately, this led to irresponsible breeders who introduced poor breeding practices in an effort to cash in. Problems in temperament and health began to develop within the breed. By the end of the Second World War, the popularity of the breed had receded somewhat. However, not before genetic disorders and poor temperament issues became common in some bloodlines. Since that time, dedicated breeders have worked to restore the temperament and physical strength of the original German Shepherd.

— For a more detailed look at the history of the German Shepherd Dog breed see:

• The GSSCC - History of the German Shepherd Dog


• The Nova Scotia German Shepherd Dog Club - Breed History — An outline of breed history from a North American perspective.

  2X World Sieger VA1 Yasko vom Farbenspiel SchH lll KKL1
  Photo courtesy of Canisphere German Shepherds

Breed Profile:

The name "German Shepherd Dog" is a literal translation from the German "Deutscher Schäferhund" but the breed is commonly referred to as simply the German Shepherd or GSD. He is also commonly referred to as "Police Dog" due to the breed's popularity in working as a police canine. In the United Kingdom, the breed was renamed to the "Alsatian Shepherd" or simply "Alsatian" after World War I, mainly due to anti-German sentiment and the fear that the original name would be a detriment to the breed. By 1930, the British Kennel Club authorised the German Shepherd name once again.

The German Shepherd Dog is well known for his intelligence, traininability, devotion and loyalty. The breed is one of the most versatile, known as a family companion, Guide Dog, Police Dog, Search and Rescue Dog, Drug and Bomb Detection Dog, Herding Dog, and Tracking Dog to name a few. He is the working dog of choice by many agencies and, in North America, is one of the most popular breeds — Ranked 3rd most registered breed by the Canadian Kennel Club and 4th most registered breed by the American Kennel Club for 2005. With so many qualities, including courage, faithfullness, a high protective instinct, and a calm temparement, the German Shepherd is known to people all over the world as a companion, guardian, and friend.

He has a distinct personality with a direct and fearless expression. He is self-confident and with a certain aloofness, he does not make immediate or indiscriminate friends. He is however approachable, quietly standing his ground. He should always appear self-confident and not display any signs of being timid or nervous. Any signs of a lack of confidence in the German Shepherd is not typical of the breed. The ideal Shepherd is a working dog with a reliable character that possesses a high degree of beauty and nobility.

Physically, the German Shepherd gives an impression of strength, agility, and balance. He is considered to be a dog of mid-size, heavy enough to be effective as a herding dog or police K-9, yet not so heavy as to be cumbersome. He should be well-muscled, alert and appear athletic and fit. There should also be a distinct difference in males and females whereby the dog is definitely masculine and the bitch, feminine.

The Shepherd has a lustrous double coat with a varying amount of undercoat depending on the climate, season, and the amount of time the dog spends outdoors. The outercoat is dense, harsh, straight or may be slightly wavy, and lies close to the body. The coat colours come in a wide range but they should always be strong and rich without appearing washed-out.

The CKC and AKC Breed Standards fault a complete lack of undercoat, soft, silky or too long outercoat and a curly or open coat. In addition, both the CKC and AKC disqualify any white dog. The White German Shepherd Dog is still recognized and registered as a German Shepherd Dog under the AKC and CKC. However, because the colour white is a disqualification, they are no longer eligible to be shown in the conformation ring. The United Kennel Club (UKC) recognizes the White Shepherd as a separate breed and the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (F.C.I.) recognizes the breed as the "Berger Blanc Suisse." For further information about the White Shepherd Dog, see The White Shepherd Dog.

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Health Issues:

German Shepherd Dogs, as with other breeds, are susceptible to several health problems, some of a genetic nature, others viral. If you are considering the adoption of a German Shepherd puppy, or any breed, it is very important to be selective in choosing a responsible and reputable breeder. Ensure that the prospective puppy's parents have all health clearances. Breeding of any dog should not be done until after they have been proven to be free of evidence of significant hereditary diseases. (For more information on selecting a breeder, see the articles on the main Breed Listing and Breeders page.)

Health Resources:

• German Shepherd Dog Health Issues
• Health & Nutrition — Alphabetical Listing — Canada's Guide to Dogs growing section on several health and nutrition issues.
• The American German Shepherd Dog Charitable Foundation, Inc. — Devoted exclusively to funding research projects pertaining to the health of the German Shepherd Dog.
• AKC Canine Health Foundation
• Canine Health Information Center (CHIC) — German Shepherd Dog Breeds Requirements — Providing a source of health information for owners, breeders, and scientists that will assist in breeding healthy dogs. CHIC is a centralized canine health database jointly sponsored by the AKC/Canine Health Foundation (AKC/CHF) and the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA).
• Canine Eye Registration Foundation (CERF)
• Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA)
• Ontario Veterinary College (OVC)
• University of Pennsylvania Hip Improvement Program (PennHip)
• QuickCare Pet Insurance Programs

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Breed Standards:

• Breed Standards Comparison Chart — This document includes the CKC, AKC, UKC, KC and FCI Breed Standards for the German Shepherd Dog, compiled into a chart for ease of comparing the differences between the standards.
• CKC Breed Standard
• AKC Breed Standard
• UKC Breed Standard
• The Kennel Club (U.K.) German Shepherd Dog (Alsatian) Breed Standard
• FCI Standard No. 166/23.03.1991/D - Edition 1993 — As shown on the United Shutzhund Club of America website.
• The German Shepherd Dog Illustrated Standard — From the German Shepherd Dog Club of America
• The Illustrated Standard of the German Shepherd Dog — Written and Illustrated by Linda Shaw MBA

	AKC German Shepherd Video Published by the AKC; Video Edition; Duration: 17 mins. Summary: Discussion of the breed standard: good structure and movement, acceptable colors, correct head, size. Developed for breeders, exhibitors and judges.
	German Shepherd Dog: Structure Video Published by Canine Training Systems; 1996 Video Edition; Duration: 85 mins. This video is designed to illustrate, analyze and teach the German way of looking at the German Shepherd's conformation.
	German Shepherd Dog: Gait Video Published by Canine Training Systems; 1998 Video edition; Duration: 60 mins. A detailed analysis by Ricardo Carbajal of how German Shepherd structure contributes to strength, soundness and efficient movement.

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Training Resources:

• RCMP Police Dog Service Training Centre — A national training centre established to provide suitable training and quality control in respect to all operational Police Service Dog teams within the RCMP and those agencies who have requested and obtained training at the centre.
• Schutzhund — The German Shepherd Dog is the most common breed involved in the sport of Schutzhund. Schutzhund training concentrates on obedience work, tracking and protection. This section of the Canada's Guide to Dogs website includes details on the sport as well as listings of Schutzhund clubs and associations.
• Training — For information on training your German Shepherd Dog, see this growing section of Canada's Guide to Dogs for tips, articles, as well as listings of training centres across Canada.
• German Shepherd Handbook — How to get a happy, healthy and well-behaved German Shepherd guaranteed!

	German Shepherd Dog: Handling Video Published by Canine Training Systems; 1998 Video Edition; Duration: 60 mins. How to show your German Shepherd successfully, including: the organization, procedure and strategy of an SV-style show.
	German Shepherd Dog: Handling II Video Published by Canine Training Systems; 1999 Video Edition; Duration: 60 mins. This video covers ADVANCED conditioning and handling for the GSD.

Note: Reference books including training can be found under the German Shepherd Book Store section.

	Training Tools & Equipment Choose from a wide variety of items from Dogwise.com

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Additional Information:

• Breed Types & Related Families — Written and Illustrated by Linda Shaw MBA — The German Shepherd Dog's popularity has led to the development of many bloodlines, "types", as well as offshoots of the breed in several countries. This article provides a breakdown of many of these "types" and "relatives" with comments on how they compare to the true German Shepherd, in both conformation and temperament.
• The White Shepherd Dog — While the White German Shepherd Dog is registered as a German Shepherd Dog by the Canadian Kennel Club and the American Kennel Club, the colour white is a disqualifying fault for the breed and, therefore, white German Shepherds are not able to compete in the show ring. The United Kennel Club and the Fédération Cynologique Internationale now recognize the White German Shepherd as a separate and distinct breed.
• Before You Adopt a German Shepherd Puppy...Things You Need to Know
• GSD Pedigree Database (external link)
• Canine Demine — Part of The Canadian Landmine Foundation — There are amazing dogs who save lives and help people whose land has been made useless because of landmines. Many different breeds of dogs are valued for police work, tracking, search and rescue, import inspections, assisting the disabled, and increasingly, for explosive detector work. For Canine Demine, the dog of choice is the noble German Shepherd. (external link)
• Dog Clubs, Sports & Activities — Details and information on various sports and activities, along with a regional listing of Clubs not specific to the German Shepherd Dog breed. (For German Shepherd specific Clubs, see the Breed Clubs section.)
• Herding Dogs — A developing section of the Canada's Guide to Dogs website which includes training and general information about Herding/Stock Dogs; listing of Stock Dog Clubs and Associations; listing of upcoming shows and events; and more.
• Schutzhund — The German Shepherd Dog is the most common breed involved in the sport of Schutzhund. Schutzhund training concentrates on obedience work, tracking and protection. This section of the Canada's Guide to Dogs website includes details on the sport as well as listings of Schutzhund clubs and associations.
• Working Dogs — This section of the Canada's Guide to Dogs website covers such dog jobs as Police Dogs, SAR Dogs, Guide Dogs, Assistance Dogs and includes dedications to the wonderful jobs that all types of dogs, including the German Shepherd Dog, are involved in.
• Information About Breed Specific Legislation (BSL) — What is BSL; which breeds are affected.
• Gallant Edge Reg'd German Shepherds — Resource Centre — Providing information articles and help with your German Shepherd. From how and where to purchase your pet, puppy care, grooming, raising your shepherd, health, common ailments, nutrition, training, house training, dealing with behavior issues, and more.

	German Shepherd in Word and Picture by Von Stephanitz Reprint of a 1925 book, translated from the German. An important work that should be in the hands of every German Shepherd enthusiast! Contents: The Shepherd dog and herdsman's dog; origin and relationship, the nature and service of the GSD, breeding, bringing up and keeping, judging the GSD, schooling and training, and kennels (famous). The judging section includes an in-depth discussion of anatomy and movement. Many, many photos and line drawings.
	Total German Shepherd Dog, 2nd Edition by Fred Lanting 2nd edition of a classic on the German Shepherd Dog. Contents: history and origins of the breed, modern bloodlines, the Standard, Anatomy, the GSD in motion, shows, showing, and training, the winners, nutrition and feeding, general care and information, health and first aid, parasites and immunity, the geriatric GSD, breeding, the basics of genetics, reproduction, whelping, the first three weeks, four to twelve weeks, diseases and disorders, and a trouble-shooting guide. There is also a glossary, and the book is extensively illustrated in black & white. Autographed.
For more great German Shepherd Books and other items, CLICK HERE!!

Note: We are always in need of articles for the individual breed sections.
Submissions are welcome and encouraged. Please feel free to e-mail us.