SEELENFREUND KENNELS

A SHORT HISTORY OF THE BREED

The origins of the breed came from various sheep dogs found in Germany during the last century. Captain Max von Stephanitz had long admired the qualities of intelligence, strength and ability found in his native German sheep-dog breeds of which there were long, rough, wire and short coated varieties, all much alike in build, but with various colourings masking the similarities of type but he had yet to find a dog which embodied all of his ideals. Captain Max von Stephanitz purchased a dog named Hektor Linksrhein which greatly impressed him.  Von Stephanitz subsequently renamed the dog Horand v Grafrath.  On 22nd April 1899 Von Stephanitz, Adolf Meyer, Ernst Von Otto and others, formed the Verin fur Deutsche Schaferhunder (SV) in Germany. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The translation of this name is roughly “ The German Shepherd Dog Club of Germany “.  The SV started a registration book and Horand v Grafrath became the first registered German Shepherd Dog.  On 20th September, 1899, the SV adopted a breed standard based on the proposals of Meyer and Von Stephanitz and later held its first specialty show at Frankfurt-am-Main, using the titles Sieger and Siegerin.  The development of the German Shepherd Dog had begun. 

 

In the second half of the 19th century, dog breed fanciers began to fix the type of sheep dog found in Germany that would eventually form the basis of the modern German Shepherd Dog.  Various attempts were made to form associations to develop the German Sheep Dogs such as the Phylax club, which was formed in the early 1890’s but disbanded in a few short years.  Not only were dog fanciers discussing the breeding of dogs, but also the training of dogs was becoming a great interest.  A driving force of the time was Doktor Gerland who presented the world’s first trained police dogs just prior to the turn of the century.  These events helped to bring the development of sheep dogs to the attention of many influential people in Germany.

 

Von Stephanitz who became President of the SV realized that increased industrialization in Germany would reduce the demand for sheep dogs and in co-operation with German authorities earlier this century, began trialing the German Shepherd in other roles to ensure its survival as a working breed. Through a firm guiding hand the SV became the largest single breed club in the world, and the breed became one the most versatile breeds known to man.

 

The onset of the First World War, saw both the German and French military using the German Shepherd as well as a number of other breeds for various functions, including search and rescue of casualties in “ no mans “ land, providing what was to become the basis for modern search and rescue dog teams.  Dogs were also used to carry ammunition, messages, cables and first aid supplies between the trenches, often through artillery and small arms fire.  Many allied soldiers, impressed by the bravery of the dogs, took captured German Shepherds home with them after the war.

 

The anti German sentiment which followed the First World War caused the British to re-name the breed as the Alsatian Wolf Dog.  Although all dogs were through to have evolved from wolves, the name Alsatian Wolf-Dog led some people to believe the German Shepherd had been directly bred from wolves.  The truth is that the German Shepherd carries no more wolf’s blood than any other breed.

 

From 1928 to 1972 a ban on the importation of German Shepherd Dogs into Australia was in force. This ban was relaxed in 1972 and removed altogether in 1973

 

In 1983 the German Shepherd Dog achieved equality in South Australia when the Government repealed the discriminatory "1934 Alsatian Dogs Act 
 

Today, the German Shepherd is used in a variety of work areas, but most importantly as the family pet.  Well known for its protective instict, intelligence and loaylty this dog makes for an excellent companion for an active family life style and a true friend