Article Advise

submitted: Aug 24th 2008 | by: JanRyan | Total views: 1 | Word Count: 548 | |

It was Max von Stephanitz who gripped all the essential credits for the development of the highly talented, faithful and obedient German Shepherd. He solely conceptualized a great variety of sheep herding dogs into one single variety. He visualized a dog of righteous character, great working ability, loyal and comprehensively trainable. Shepherd dogs were known as the best working dogs in 18th and 19th centuries. The shepherds in Germany employed their dogs to direct their group of sheep as well as cattle. The first priority was given on their working ability, not on their appearance. The root of these dogs in historical timeline has not yet been identified.

During late 19th century a movement initiated in the process of guiding sheep, which was led by Captain von Stephanitz with an idea to establish his organization, Verein fur Deutsche Schaferhunde for breeding dogs combining both talents and looks. In his breeding technique, although the primary emphasis was given on improving the working efficiency, Max von Stephanitz also put his effort to improve beauty of the German Shepherd.

In the historical timeline, the evolvement of German Shepherd was not always that smooth. In fact, there was a time when there was a reduction in the demand of the shepherd dogs. During that phase, the great innovator Captain von Stephanitz shaped his idea of breeding the German Shepherd in absolutely a new direction as police service dogs, where these dog were increasingly trained as police dogs in order to serve the nation. In the late 19th century and early 20th century, an increasing number of dog shows actually started influencing the breeders to take both appearance and efficiency into account.

In 1899, with the persistent guidance of von Stephanitz, the concept of the modern German Shepherd took its place in reality with the establishment of Verein. During the First World War, England discovered the German Shepherd and brought this dog under the name of Alsatian home. By that time the overall control of all breeding in Germany was done by Verein fur Deutsche Schaferhunde. In the post Word War II phase, Germany was destroyed and in ruins, so was the breeding organization as well as the breeding policy. It was typically assumed that the best German Shepherd was bred in North America during that phase.

Similar to any other great innovator of different times, von Stephenitz always put his effort on exploring and gathering new knowledge about breeding German Shepherd dogs with the help of his extensive experience and experimental aptitude. He relied on several different ideas that were used by the British at that time.

In 1899, von Stephanitz purchased Horand von Grafrath while he was attended a dog show. Horand was awarded as the first registered German Shepherd in the studbook. It was the great range of qualities of this breed that made Captain von Stephanitz so elated.

Horand was a medium size dog with a blend of liveliness and activity. An obedient, brave, defensive and energetic type of dog was mostly adored for its mental alertness. Additionally, it had beautiful lines all over the body. These were the qualities that made the German Shepherd acquire such a universal acceptance.

In recent times, imported German Shepherds are exclusively adorable for implausible sense of smell, loyalty, obedience, sound temperament and excellence in physical structure and working ability.

About the Author

About the author: Jan Ryan is an avid lover of the German Shepherd and has a popular website where you'll discover how to have a happy, healthy and well behaved German Shepherd. Among other topics at this website, you will find out more about German Shepherd history plus a whole lot more.

Comments

No comments posted.

You do not have permission to comment. If you log in, you may be able to comment.