German Shepherd Dog History Time Map

German Shepherd Dog History - Years of Special Occurrences, which has been considered as Time Map of GSD History in this post.

Here is the detailed time map in the history of German Shepherd Dog breed since the start

1891 - Phylax Society was formed. With very short life span, this dog club was a precursor to the Verein fur Deutsche Schaferhunde (S.V), which was later created by Max von Stephanitz, the originator of GSD breed.

1894 - The Phylax Society (that was formed in 1891) was disbanded. Many members of the Phylax Society continued to exhibit the ideologies and concepts formulated by the society. One of those eminent members was "Captain Max von Stephanitz", the man who has been credited with the honor of being the father of German Shepherd Dog breed.

1895 - Hektor Linkshrein - later renamed as Horand von Grafrath was born on January 1st

1899 - Verein fur Deutsche Schaferhunde (S.V.) was initiated.

1899 - On April 3rd in the same year of the formation of the Verein für deutsche Schäferhunde (SV) - world's first All-Breed German Dog show was held in Karleruube Rhineland. Captain Stephanitz, and his friend, Arthur Meyer were present in the show looking for a perfect dog to create a really superb herder. Captain Stephanitz fell in love with a dog called Hektor Linkshrein and purchased the dog right at the spot with 200 deutsche mark and this turned out to be the major turning point in the History of German Shepherd Dog evolution.

1901 - The world's first Schutzhund (also used to be known as IPO and presently know as IGP) trial was held in Germany in the year 1901. The dogs were for abilities in tracking, obedience and protection. The Schutzhund sport was developed in Germany as a suitability test for the GSD breed, but later included other breeds. 

1906 - First German Shepherd Dog that was believed to have set paws upon North America. The name of the dog was Queen of Switzerland. However, most of her progenies came up with defects due to wrong breeding. This impacted the breed's popularity adversely during the late 1920s in America.

1907 - The first German Shepherd Dog ever exhibited in America.

1908 - The first German Shepherd registered with the American Kennel Club (AKC).

1908 - German Shepherd Dog first arrived in Great Britain in the early part of the century during this phase of time.

1913 - Benjamin Throop and Anne Tracy formed the German Shepherd Dog Club of America with 26 charter members.

1913 - The first championships had been awarded to German Shepherd Dogs.

1914 - Since this phase of time till the decline of WW I, the heroic German Shepherd Dogs served in World War I and had played a salient role in the war.

1915 - The first specialty show of the German Shepherd Dog Club of America was held at Greenwich, Connecticut.

1917 - When America entered World War I, all things related to Germany became tabu. The American Kennel Club (AKC) changed the name of the GSD breed to the "Shepherd Dog". thus the German Shepherd Dog Club of America (GSDCA) became the "Shepherd Dog Club of America". In England, the breed had been renamed to "Alsatian". Read out the history of German Shepherd name.

1918 - Rin-Tin-Tin (Rin Tin Tin, Rinty) was born on September 10, as a Dark Grey male baby. He was sired by Fritz de la Chasse royale, who had been traced to the first Registered German Shepherd Dog, Horand. Rinty's mother was Betty des Flandreswho had also been traced to the first Registered German Shepherd Dog, Horand. Rinty was owned by Lee Duncan an american Serviceman.

1919 - The English Kennel Club (UK Kennel Club) gave the GSD breed a separate register with 54 dogs being included. By 1926 the count had swelled to 8,058. Such was the exceptional success of the German Shepherd Dog.

1920's - The "Alsatian League" and the "Alsatian Wolf Dog Club" united in the early 1920's under the name of the Alsatian League and Club of Great Britain and started bringing out some order to the GSD

1921 - "Strongheart" - the German Shepherd Dog became the first canine movie GSD star in silent movie, although there were a few canine stars (apart from GSD) had appeared before Strongheart. In 1921 strong acted in his first movie named "The Silent Call". Strongheart became the favorite star and had been well acclaimed by moviegoers of all ages. He used to travel by train from one part to the other of the country and huge mobs of people were on hand to see this marvellous animal at almost all stations.

1921 - Adolf Hitler adopted a female German Shepherd Dog - named "Prinz", during his years of poverty. Hitler was forced to keep Prinz elsewhere, but she escaped and ran back to Hitler. Hitler liked the breed's loyalty and started developing very strong liking for GSD.

1922 - Strongheart starred in the movie called "Brawn of the North". 1924 - Strongheart starred in the movie called "The Love Master".

1923 - The Verein für Deutsche Schäferhunde declared that the organization has a ground breaking number of 50,000 paid members in more than 500 branches in Germany alone.

1923 - German Shepherd Rin Tin Tin becomes a canine film star.

1923 - Shepherd Dog Club of New England founded, publishing the Shepherd Dog Review.

1925 - Strongheart starred in the movies called "White Fang" and "North Star".

1925 - The titles of Grand Victor and Grand Victrix are established as the titles for the winners of the GSDCA National.

1927 - Strongheart starred in the movies called "The Return of Boston Blackie"

1928 - Buddy, a German Shepherd Dog, becomes the first Seeing Eye dog among other service dogs to follow in the GSD timeline.

1932 - Rin Tin Tin (lovingly called "Rinty") died on August 10, at the age of 14 years in Los Angeles in the arms of the famous actress Jean Harlow. Rinty's owner had arranged to have Rinty's dead body returned to his birth land - Lorraine, France for his burial in the Cimetière des Chiens, the famous pet cemetery in the Parisian suburb of Asnières-sur-Seine. "Rin Tin Tin" was honored with a star on the "Hollywood Walk of Fame" at 1623 Vine St. in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA, that serves as an entertainment museum.

1936 - Max von Stephanitz, the founder of the German Shepherd Dog breed, died.

1937-38 - The German Shepherd named Pfeffer von Bern (SGR 1937/8GV CH (US)) won as Grand Victor the 1937 American Kennel club dog show. This resulted as huge boost in the GSD breed's popularity in the USA, that was badly declined due to defective progenies (breeding defects) of Queen of Switzerland (the first dog to land in the US in 1906)

1941 - Adolf Hitler was gifted the second girl German Shepherd by Martin Bormann (German Nazi Party official and head of the Nazi Party Chancellery). Hitler was very fond of Blondi and kept her even after he moved into the Führerbunker located underneath the Reich Chancellery garden.

1945 - Adolf Hitler German Shepherd, Blondi died on April 30. Hitler wanted to check the potency of the cyanide capsules given by Heinrich Himmler. He tested on Blondi, as a result Blondi expired.

1967 - On June 23, 1967, Air Force Headquarters directed that Nemo, the 85 pound, black and tan German Shepherd, was the first hero of his kind to return from the Vietnam War. He returned to the United States with honors, as the first sentry dog to be officially retired from active service.

1977 - This year the British Kennel Club (being pressured by strong campaign by GSD enthusiasts) registered the breed back to it's name  "German Shepherd Dog". But the breed was registered as the German shepherd Dog "Alsatian". The name "Alsatian" appeared within parenthesis till 2010.

Spanning back to the related history, after the WW I it was believed that because of the anti-German sentiment of the time, the word "German" being included in the breed's name might result the popularity of the breed to suffer a fall. Hence the breed was renamed as "Alsatian Wolf Dog" by the British Kennel Club. This name was kept after the border region area of “ALSACE -- LORRAINE”. However, it was again feared the presence of the appendage "wolf dog" could also impact the breed's popularity, as people might "wrongly" think that there's direct wolf's gene in this breed that would make the breed dangerously aggressive. Hence, the appendage "wolf dog" was eliminated and the breed was renamed as "Alsatian" and remained as Alsatian until the year 1977.

History of the name and GSD breed

2010 - This year was also a vital year in the history of this breed. The final renaming of the breed from (German Shepherd Dog "Alsatian") to just (German Shepherd Dog) was officially declared in 2010. This means as the full name, the word "Alsatian" within the parenthesis that used to be mentioned since 1977 after German shepherd Dog was finally removed the breed was renamed as German Shepherd Dog in 2010.

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Klodo vom Boxberg - The "NEW" Type Seen in GSD Breed Development Program in North American Lines - 1920s

Klodo von Boxburg. SCHH, Kkl 1; Born: 20. August 1921

Owing to the heavy popularity of the breed, the breeders started using their specimens for breeding to meet the demand for size. Oversized specimens could been seen quite often, by which Von Stephanitz became seriously alarmed seeing the rising trend of breeding for producing oversize specimen. The breeding programs were not supportive of producing right kind of temperament, and faults in dentition were also noticed which made Captain Stephanitz even more concerned.

Captain Stephanitz along with his fellow breed wardens took serious action, and at the 1925 Sieger show von Stephanitz selected Klodo von Boxberg as world sieger.  

 

About Klodo von Boxberg

Klodo von Boxberg was much different from the dogs that had become world seiger before him. He was not a big dog. A medium sized specimen, Klodo was of lower station, deeper and longer in body. He had a short loin and exhibited far-reaching gait. His typical non-exaggerated anatomical structure and marvelous gait made him stand out, and potentially symbolized a "NEW" typology of shepherd

 

1925 - Klodo was adopted by A. Gilbert of Maraldene Kennels in Hamden, Connecticut and was shipped to America. Henceforth Klodo had been intensively used by Maraldene Kennels in its breeding program and he produce several top class progenitors, thereby contributing to the North American lines.

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Tribute to Horand von Grafrath

Horand Von Grafrath - SZ 1

Lets take an opportunity to pay our wholehearted tribute to Horand - Horand von Grafrath (formerly Hektor Linksrhein), "The Foundation Dog" of the GSD breed. An important phase in the evolution of the German Shepherd Dog breed starts from Horand (DOB January 1st, 1895), SZ1.

There’s no better way we can pay our tribute to Horand von Grafrath than by mentioning here what Captain von Stephanitz, the originator of the breed said about this awesome dog.

Here's what he said about Horand:

"Horand embodied for the enthusiasts of that time the fulfillment of their fondest dreams.  He was big for that period, between 24" and 24 1/2", even for the present day a good medium size, with powerful frame, beautiful lines, and a nobly formed head.  Clean and sinewy in build, the entire dog was one live wire.

His character was on a par with his exterior qualities; marvelous in his obedient fidelity to his master, and above all else, the straightforward nature of a gentleman with a boundless zest for living.  Although untrained in puppy hood, nevertheless obedient to the slightest nod when at this master's side; but when left to himself, the maddest rascal, the wildest ruffian and incorrigible provoker of strife.

Never idle, always on the go; well disposed to harmless people, but no cringer, mad about children and always in love.  What could not have been the accomplishments of such a dog if we, at that time, had only had military or police service training?  His faults were the failings of his upbringing, never of his stock.  He suffered from a superfluity of unemployed energy, for he was in Heaven when someone was occupied with him and was then the most tractable of dog."

So by Sir Max's words we can at ease understand what are the desirable qualities that a well bred German Shepherd should actually have. Horand von Grafrath was a name that had been given to the dog by Captain Stephanitz. There is an interesting history behind the Horand’s life story. While attending a dog show in 1899 the captain came across a Thuringian type sheep dog of medium stature, whose name was Hecktor Linkshrein. It was Hecktor's typical shepherding qualities, his nature and anatomical structure that grabed captain's attention, and he fell in love with him at the first sight. He purchased him at the spot and later he changed his name to Horand Von Grafrath registered him with his new name the vereins newly found stud book. Horand was the first shepherd dog to find the first place in the new stud book of the verein. “Verein” here is Verein für deutsche Schäferhunde (shortly known as SV – the “Club For German Shepherd Dogs”).

Later Horand sired many pups, the worth mentioning and most celebrated of which was Hektor von Schwaben - SZ 13, born on January 5, 1898. Hektor von Schwaben was born from the combination of Horand von Grafrath - SZ 1 (born - 1895) X Mores Plieningen HGH - SZ 159 (born - 1894)

Hektor von Schwaben later produced some head reeling offspring such as:

Heinz von Starkenburg - SchH3,  Kkl 1, born from the combination of Hektor von Schwaben X Lucie von Starkenburg - SZ 131 (born - 1896). Heinz achieved some lasting fame through his progeny - the 1906-7 Sieger Roland v Starkenburg - SCHH3, Kkl 1 (born 1903), the first really outstanding dog of the breed.  Humphrey (1926) believed Roland owed little to Heinz and more to Hektor v Schwaben.  



Two specimens that were wisely used to standardzing the German Shepherd breed were Beowulf and Pilot

Beowolf

Pilot

These three studs - Heinz, Beowulf and Pilot had been used in the breeding program later, and thus their progeny contributed immensely to the development of German shepherd Dog breed.  

Captain Stephanitz heavily inbred on his very favorite Horand as well as his brother Luchs with an aim to strengthen the bloodline. Horand's most celebrated son, Hektor von Schwaben, the second German Sieger, was mated with his half-sister as well as through daughters of his own sons, Beowulf, Heinz, and Pilot III. 

Heavy inbreeding was the base of the development of the breed. But eventually is concentrated undesirable recessive originating from the mixing of the original strains. Von Stephanitz hence decided introduce unrelated blood of herding origin through Audifax von Grafrath and Adalo von Grafrath into his program.

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Horand Von Grafrath - The Foundation Dog of German Shepherd Dog Breed

Of all existing canine breed in the world today, German Shepherd Dog breed possesses myriad qualities, making it the finest canine specimen in the world. Starting from its intellect and physical appearance to its inherent protective instinct and courageous nature, everything makes the breed a complete canine companion. But the GSDs that we find today are very much different from those of the pasts.

If you are looking for more on how actually German Shepherd Dogs that we see today evaluated, Check out my works on History of German Shepherd Dog Vol I, Vol II, Vol III and Vol IV; and here's a bit more details on History of the breed. Read on...

On April 3rd, 1899 - the same year when Captain Stephanitz formed the Verein für deutsche Schäferhunde (SV) - world's first All-Breed German Dog show was held in Karleruube Rhineland. Captain Stephanitz, and his friend, Arthur Meyer were present in the show. They were looking for a perfect dog to create a really superb herder and fall in love with a dog, strongly built, perfectly healthy, with erect ears, an outgoing and friendly nature. The dog had medium-short coat that was weatherproof. Stephanitz purchased the dog at the spot and this turned out to be the major turning point in the History of German Shepherd Dog.

Hektor Linkshrein was the name of the dog, but later he was renamed into Horand Von Grafrath - the first dog to be registered in the new stud book of the verein. Horand became the foundation dog of the German Shepherd Dog breed. Horand was a from the Thuringian origin and his recessive white genes had been one of the most enhancing factors found in him.

Check out what Captain Stephanitz said about Horand.

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Evolution Of German Shepherd Dog Breed

Continuous researches are being in process with the German Shepherd Dog breed! If you're not in continuous touch with what's going on worldwide with this breed, you cannot get track of the evolutionary process of the breed. If you are studying seriously about German Shepherd Dogs you are probably looking for some sort of illustration of German Shepherd Dogs from past till date. Here's something of a kind you probably want to know about German shepherd Dogs.

To
The difference is clearly noticed -- GSD of 1940s to GSD of 2000s, the breed underwent a continuous change.

Notice the German shepherd pictures carefully. You can their's a noticeable difference in the structure of the breed. Look at the 'Top Lines' of the two shepherds. The 'Banana Back', which is also called 'Roach Back' is visible in the recent dog, while the 'Top Lines' was smooth -- called 'Level Back' is noticed in the dog of 1940s.

A couple of other differences worth noticing are:

• Low slung placement of hip in the shepherds that we see today
• Hock angulation are more in recent shepherds

Here are some German Shepherd Dogs pictures to illustrate how the breed evolved from 1940s to present...

Development Through out 1950s








Development Through out 1960s






Development Through out 1970s

Early 1970s








Mid to Late 70s








Development Through out 1980s

Early 1980s








Mid to Late 1980s








GSD of 1990s

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History Of German Shepherd Dogs -- Vol III

Please read out my former posts on History of German Shepherd Dogs Vol I and Vol II  ... This posts is the continuation of the former ones.

 

Another vital phase of the breed's development starts with Horand (DOB -- January 1st, 1895)- this is beyond all controversies. After Mr. Stephanitz became the the president of the verein, he atended a dog show in the year 1899, where he found Horand, which was a Thuringian type sheep dog of medium stature. It was Horand's typical shepherd qualities that grabs captain's attention and he fell in love with Horand at the first sight. He purchased him at the spot. Although his original name was Hektor Linkshrein, he was registered in the verein's newly found stud book with the name "Horand von Grafrath". Horand was the first dog to find the first place in the new stud book of the verein. The another dog that got an entry into the stud book was Meri von Grafrath. Hektor Linkshrein (later Horand) had a brother called Luch von Sparwasser, who was also a very good specimen, if not as good as his elder brother Hektor. Luch was later registered in the stud book of verein -- SZ 155. Hektor actully descended from the wonderful lineage. Luch's and Hektor's (later Horand) was Greif von Sparwasser, which was a white coated German herding dog with awesome shepherding quality. George Horowitz, who was a well renowned English Judge, German Shepherd Dog columnist, author and historian, wrote about the background of Hektor Linksrhein in his 1923 book, known as "The Alsatian Wolf-Dog". In his book he wrote that that the white-coated German herding dog named Greif von Sparwasser was born in 1879 and was exhbited at the 1882 and 1887 Hanover Dog Shows. Horand was in the possesion of certain very interesting qualities apart from his shepherding ability, such as the mental soundness, boldness, protective and energetic nature. This dog was wolf grey color. He had good gait and remarkable anatomy with mind blowing bones and head profile. Horand was mated to many good bitches and produced good number of quality range of litters through out his life. The most important progenies of this classy dog are:

• VA Hektor von Schwaben, DOB: January 5th 1898, Sieger: 1900 - 1901
• VA Peter von Pritschen, DOB: December 14th 1900, Sieger: 1902
• VA Lux Sparwasser
• Nelli Eislingen
• Baron von der Krone
• Thekla I von der Krone
• Thekla von der Krone
• Waldine von der

Horand became the father of all German Shepherd Dogs that we find today. And from then onwards the breed went on developing at a fast pace. You will just be amazed to see the the change that this breed has got during its course of development.

Top left: Horand von Grafrath SZ 1 and Marie von Grafrath SZ 2 Middle Right: Peter von Pritschen {Sieger: 1902} Middle Left: Horand von Grafrath SZ 1 Bottom Right: Hector Schwaben {Sieger: 1900 - 1901}

Botton Left: Luch von Sparwasser {Litter brother of Hektor (later Horand) DOB: January 1st, 1895}

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History Of German Shepherd Dogs -- Vol-II

Before you start reading this please check out my last post History Of German Shepherd Dogs -- Vol-I. This is a continuation of the first part.

Both the Thuringian and Wurttemburg sheep dogs were first exhibited in a show held at Hanover in the year 1882 – the year that marked the beginning of the evolution of a dog that was having a mind blowing ability to control herd of sheep. Drastic steps were taken to synchronize these varieties of typical sheep dogs in one single breed. Intelligence and Utility were the watch words for the breeding program. Selective breeding was one of the determining factors in the project. The Swedish sheep dogs were rejected at the very first sight, since they light built body, and lighter bones.

Those dogs were selected that had the typical shepherd qualities, such as expressive heads, moderately lighter weights, good bones and good gait. The dentitions were to be quite strong. The bites were to be quite resistant and such that it would redirect the sheep to the desired direction without damaging. Dogs with erect ears were chosen to get the sound and noise and especially the shepherds’ commands from distant more accurately.

This was how the selection was actually made for the perfectly selective breeding program.

Coming up next! More great facts on how we got such a beautiful creature. Stay tuned.

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History Of German Shepherd Dogs -- Vol-I

Well now, I was thinking of what should I write on this time. How if I write something about the history of the German Shepherd Dogs? This is a very long story indeed. So I've planed to present it in a series of a few distinctive volumes. Just read on. And I'm sure if you are a real GSD fancier, this will be a topic of your real interest.

Germany is the birth place of the breed. The very name gives a very clear cut indication of the fact. The look and the glamour of the German Shepherds Dogs that we find today took almost a century to develop. It was not until the late 19th century that emergence of the breed was noticed. And it’s beyond all doubt that it was due to the far sighted vision of the Prusian cavalry captain Rittmeister Max Emil Frederich von Stephanitz (commonly known by Captain Stephanitz or Captain Max von Stephanitz) that we dogs lovers got such a great gift.

Shepherd dogs were truly wonderful natural working dogs that were used by the shepherds of 18th and 19th century to herd their sheep. Not being descended from a specific origin, those shepherd dogs could not be given the honor of a specific breed with a specific standard. Although they were really varied in appearance and gait but most of them had the true basic instinct to work. Captain’s attention was attracted by two such types of dogs – one that used to work in the highland of Thuringia and the other is from Wurttemburg.

Shepherds Of Thuringia: Shepherd dogs from Thuringia had erect ears, curled tail and were wolf-grey in color. They were stocky and of small stature. There were two main varieties of the Thuringian Sheep Dog: i) short-haired and ii) shaggy-haired.

Shepherds Of Wurttemburg: The Wurttemburg dogs were larger in size with heavy bones and bushy tail. They were comparatively swifter than the shepherds of Thuringia and had good gait but bad ear carriage. They were stocky and of small stature. Alike the Thuringian Sheep Dogs they were of two varieties too: i) short-haired and ii) shaggy-haired.

These two types of dogs were the base of the dfevelopment of the breed. Stay tuned ... coming up more to learn.

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