Home of German Shepherds

German Shepherd

The German Shepherd comes in two varieties: the short-haired arched back and the long-haired flat-backed dog. There is no difference in character and intelligence between these two types of dogs; the differences lie in their body shape and coat texture. After female dogs reproduce puppies, the long-haired straight-back dogs are usually eliminated by breeders. It is generally believed that this is a case of atavism, and this situation still occurs in many purebred German Shepherds today.

"The King of World Dogs" - The German Shepherd: The German Shepherd is also known as the "wolf dog" and is hailed as the "King of World Dogs." Due to its resemblance to a wild wolf, it was once speculated that it might be a direct descendant of wolves. In fact, it originated in Germany. In April 1999, the German Shepherd celebrated its "centennial birthday." Various German Shepherd associations and dog enthusiasts marked the centenary of the "King of World Dogs" with different celebrations. In 1890, German dog breeders Stephanis and Maier began to improve and breed the ancient German herding dog, the Elsachian dog. Von Stephanitz, who had a military background, dreamed of breeding a dog that was neither overly aggressive nor timid. He first sketched his ideal herding dog on his desk before conducting numerous breeding experiments with various excellent dogs until he achieved his desired prototype. On April 17, 1902, the German Shepherd was officially born in Karlsruhe, western Germany. At a dog exhibition, Captain Von Stephanitz first showcased to the public the superior breed he had meticulously cultivated through countless breeding trials. Dog culture originated in Britain, where keeping dogs was seen as a symbol of fashion and wealth among the upper class.

However, Von Stephanitz, the breeder of the Shepherd, went against the trend. He believed that keeping dogs should not only be for观赏 and entertainment but more importantly for serving society. With this spirit, he founded the "German Amateur Dog Enthusiasts Association" in the same year. The German Shepherd quickly became one of the most popular and excellent military and police dogs as well as herding dogs, adopted by many countries to assist in drug searches, fugitive captures, border patrols, etc. Additionally, it excels as a herding dog and guard dog.

German Shepherd

After World War I, large numbers of German Shepherds were introduced to Britain and then quickly spread around the world, becoming one of the most widely distributed and beloved breeds. However, the Germans remain the most devoted lovers of the Shepherd. Currently, there are approximately 500,000 Shepherds kept nationwide, with 90% being family pets, making them good companions and protectors for residents. The remaining 10% are trained by police departments, customs, rescue organizations, etc. Nonetheless, the Shepherd has also had a less glorious history. During World War I, German Shepherds were sent to the front lines for combat; during World War II, Hitler ordered his army to recruit 200,000 Shepherds. These rigorously trained German Shepherds became sacrifices for carrying explosives and served as guard dogs in Nazi concentration camps. Later, after the Berlin Wall was erected, they became defenders along the East-West German border. In the peaceful era following the end of World War II, German Shepherds became movie stars, playing important roles in many TV series and deeply loved by people, especially captivating to young audiences. In the TV series "Inspector Rex," the German Shepherd gave an outstanding performance. The show was translated into 26 languages and screened worldwide, spreading widely, making the German Shepherd famous globally. The German Shepherd has a medium-sized body with a shiny black face, thick fur, upright ears, almond-shaped eyes, strong muscles, sharp claws, and a straight spine. Its body is robust, harmoniously proportioned, dignified and aesthetically pleasing, with excellent physiological functions and strong reproductive capacity. Since the majority of its coat is black-gray or gray-white on the abdomen and black-gray on the back, it is commonly known as the "black back." What makes it particularly distinctive is its highly sensitive perception and high alertness, earning it the title of "natural police dog." Its hearing is extremely acute, typically 16 times stronger than humans. When in action, it is bold, fierce, vigilant, agile, fast, and has a strong desire to retrieve objects. It can run at speeds up to 60 kilometers per hour. In a static state, it is calm, patient, balanced in strength and gentleness, affectionate, and easy to train. It is intelligent, loyal, and works well with its owner. Therefore, the German Shepherd is now widely used in various fields, especially as military and police dogs, achieving remarkable success in tracking, rescue, drug detection, and protection [1].