German Shepherd

German Shepherd
Other names	Alsatian Alsatian wolf dog Berger Allemand Deutscher Schäferhund
Origin	Germany
Dog (domestic dog)

The German Shepherd (German: Deutscher Schäferhund), also known as the Alsatian, is a breed of medium-large size dog. It was first developed in Germany. They are often used as police dogs, but they have many other uses. They have been variously used as herding dogs, guard dogs, military dogs, eyes for the blind and as pets. Because of their intelligence, speed, drive, eagerness and balance, they are now called 'multi-terrain' dogs as well as 'most complete dog breed' for their versatility, adaptability and suitability.

An important modern use is in search and rescue. In former times the American Rescue Dog Association only used air-scenting Alsatians to locate people who are missing or lost. They search in wilderness, disaster, human body remains and water search and rescue and recovery missions. The breed is smart, athletic and can live in a wide variety of climate conditions.

Male German Shepherds usually weigh around 30–40 kilograms (66–88 lb). Females usually weigh around 22–32 kilograms (49–71 lb).^[1]

The term Alsatian wolf dog, instead of German Shepherd dog, was first popularly used by the British in the First World War. This was because the country was at war with the German Empire. Adolf Hitler, a German dictator, was also known to have German Shepherds as companions.

The German Shepherd Dog breed, as it is currently known, was developed by the founder and the first president of the Association for the German Shepherd Dog breed Max Emil Friedrich von Stephanitz at the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th centuries.

1. ↑ "USA German Shepherd Dog Standard". United Schutzhund Clubs of America. Archived from the original on 10 June 2008. Retrieved 20 July 2008.