German Shepherd

The German Shepherd Dog, also known in Britain as the Alsatian, is a highly versatile working dog. Among its many functions are police and military work as a guard and a sniffer dog, as a guide dog for the blind, for search and rescue, as a sheepdog by farmers and as a companion. Although its ancestry dates back for centuries to the mountain sheepdog of Germany, the breed of today was established in Germany in the 1800s. It was introduced to Great Britain and to the United States by soldiers returning from World War I.

The German Shepherd Dog is a strong, agile, well muscled animal, alert and full of life. It is well balanced, with harmonious development of the forequarter and hindquarter. The dog is longer than tall, deep-bodied, and presents an outline of smooth curves rather than angles. It looks substantial and not spindly, giving the impression, both at rest and in motion, of muscular fitness and nimbleness without any look of clumsiness or soft living.

The German Shepherd Dog (GSD) is a versatile working dog, capable of being trained to perform a wide variety of tasks. GSDs are family pets, police dogs, guide dogs, search and rescue dogs, bomb and drug detection dogs, sheep and cattle herders, hunting companions, guard dogs, obedience champions, avalanche dogs, assistance dogs, show dogs, and more. Regardless of their particular role, GSDs are excellent companions provided they receive the attention, training, and exercise they need and feel useful.

References:

American Kennel Club Inc. The Complete Dog Book. 18th ed. New York: Howell, 1992.

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