Germany: (Deutscher Schäferhund) origin dating to 1899.
Max Emil Friedrich von Stephanitz
(December 30, 1864 – 22 April 1936) an ex-cavalry captain and former student of the Berlin Veterinary College, was one such ex-member. He believed strongly that dogs should be bred for working.
Horand von Grafrath SZ1
Rittmeister (Cavalry Captain) Max Emil Frederich von Stephanitz universally accepted as the "Father of the Breed"--saw a dog in 1899 while attending a dog show in Karlsruhe, Germany; a herding dog which he felt had all the qualities he had been searching for: instinctive herding ability, high trainability, dignity, intelligence, strong build and quiet demeanor. This dog fit the motto von Stephanitz had coined for his new breed: "Utility and Intelligence", and he purchased the dog on the spot.
That dog became Horand von Grafrath, the foundation dog of the German Shepherd breed, and given the designation SZ1, the very first German Shepherd Dog in the German Shepherd Dog Club, the SV. Von Stephanitz searched for bitches of Horand's type to breed with him, and being very picky, it was a hard search indeed.
By carefully and selectively breeding and inbreeding, it was possible to create a line of dogs that bred true to form. Captain von Stephanitz, who had served with the Veterinary College in Berlin while in the military, used his extensive biological knowledge to help him in the science of breeding dogs.
That dog became Horand von Grafrath, the foundation dog of the German Shepherd breed, and given the designation SZ1, the very first German Shepherd Dog in the German Shepherd Dog Club, the SV. Von Stephanitz searched for bitches of Horand's type to breed with him, and being very picky, it was a hard search indeed.
By carefully and selectively breeding and inbreeding, it was possible to create a line of dogs that bred true to form. Captain von Stephanitz, who had served with the Veterinary College in Berlin while in the military, used his extensive biological knowledge to help him in the science of breeding dogs.
European Working Line Shepherd
In general European lines have had more emphasis on working abilities, and a thicker, stronger shaped head; less rear angulation and less of a slope from the wither to the croup.
Their bodies tend to be slightly shorter and more substantial, their temperament more correct.
We feel that the SV, which is the organization that has developed this breed and governs the breeding in Germany to this day has been able to control the quality of the German Shepherd dog. in general, (the German breeders tilted the pelvis forward by curving the back to gain rear drive without increasing angulation).
Their bodies tend to be slightly shorter and more substantial, their temperament more courageous...
In general European lines have had more emphasis on working abilities, and a thicker, stronger shaped head; less rear angulation and less of a slope from the wither to the croup.
Their bodies tend to be slightly shorter and more substantial, their temperament more correct.
We feel that the SV, which is the organization that has developed this breed and governs the breeding in Germany to this day has been able to control the quality of the German Shepherd dog. in general, (the German breeders tilted the pelvis forward by curving the back to gain rear drive without increasing angulation).
Their bodies tend to be slightly shorter and more substantial, their temperament more courageous...
Working lines are usually bred to have a very high tolerance for pain. This mean they do not respond to alot pain. They have a higher prey drive
American German Shepherds lines
They have been selected for generations for fluid movement. They have a more refined head, and are a bit taller in general. The most noticeable difference is the more extreme angulation's of the hind legs, and a greater slope of the torso from front to rear.
The categories that make up the standard of the German Shepherd breed include: appearance, temperament, size and proportion, coat and color and gait, the way the dog moves the dog who meets the appearance standard of the breed gives the impression of a strong animal, alert and full of life.
The American Show lines put more emphasis on fluid movement (the floating side gait); they have more refined heads, more extreme angulation of the hind legs, and a greater slope of the back (the American breeders gained length of stride by lengthening the bones, most notably the upper arm and the lower thigh). In general, they are a little taller and narrower, with deeper chests, their temperament more docile.
The American Show lines put more emphasis on fluid movement (the floating side gait); they have more refined heads, more extreme angulation of the hind legs, and a greater slope of the back (the American breeders gained length of stride by lengthening the bones, most notably the upper arm and the lower thigh). In general, they are a little taller and narrower, with deeper chests, their temperament more docile.
The Royal German Shepherds.
This is a must see video by Zimbris, Tribute to the Working German Shepherd Dog.
European Lines ~American Lines
What's the difference between them?
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