Welcome the German Shepherd

Finally, we are welcoming the loyal, intelligent, and versatile German Shepherd Dog to the Breed Archive.

This iconic breed was first standardised in Germany in 1899 by Max von Stephanitz, who set out to create the ideal working dog for herding and guarding. Developed from various herding dogs across Germany, these dogs were selected for intelligence, strength, and obedience rather than appearance alone.

Renowned for their courage and trainability, German Shepherds have been widely used in police, military, search-and-rescue, and service roles, where their loyalty and focus make them exceptionally effective.

Physically, they should be strong, well-proportioned dogs with a double coat, either stock hair or long stock hair with a dense undercoat, designed to endure various climates and working conditions.

German Shepherds thrive on mental stimulation, physical exercise, and ongoing training. As working dogs with strong protective instincts, they are devoted to their families while remaining alert, responsive, and adaptable.