History of the German Shepherd

The German Shepherd is considered to be one of the newer breeds of dogs. 1891 became the start of the breed that we know today. A group of shepherding dog enthusiasts in Germany formed the Phylax Society with the intention of creating standardized dog breeds in Germany. The society disbanded after only three years in 1894, due to internal conflicts regarding the traits that the society should promote; some members believed dogs should be bred solely for working purposes, while others believed dogs also should be bred for appearance. Though unsuccessful in their goal, the Phylax Society had inspired the vision of how the German Shepherd was to emerge.

At this time, Capt. Max von Stephanitz, 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. He became the acclaimed father of the breed. He had long admired the qualities of intelligence, strength, and ability found in many native sheepdog breeds but had yet to see one which embodied all of his ideals. Recognizing the shift away from herding, Max Von Stephanitz ultimate plan was to breed an all purpose working dog. While visiting a show with a friend in 1899, he saw a dog that impressed him greatly to all accounts that he purchased the dog and promptly formed a society, the Verein Deutsche Sch'ferhunde, which, in turn, created the Schutzhund Trials. The trials were a breed test for the German Shepherd; any dog which did not pass the test was prohibited to breed. These trials are responsible for how quickly the German Shepherd's working abilities were advanced. This was a milestone in the breed's history and marked the beginning of a new era for it. From this date the German Shepherd as a specific breed had arrived.

The dog that von Stephanitz purchased was called Hektor Linksrhein but was later named Horand v Grafeth by Max von Stephanitz. Horand was quickly used in many breeding programs. He became the dog that best exemplified the goals of early breeders. Horand was declared to be the first German Shepherd Dog and was the first dog added to the society's breed register.

Horand's most celebrated son was Hektor v Shwaben. Hektor was inbred with another of Horand's offspring and produced Beowulf, who later fathered a total of eighty-four pups, mostly through being inbred with Hektor's other offspring. Beowulf's progeny also were inbred and it is from these pups that all German Shepherds draw a genetic link. It is believed the society accomplished its goal mostly due to Von Stephanitz's strong, uncompromising leadership and he is therefore, credited with being the creator of the German Shepherd Dog.

Later, as a result of von Stephanitz's energetic campaigns on behalf of these dogs, German Shepherds were used extensively during World War I as messenger dogs, rescue dogs and guard dogs. In little time British, French and American soldiers discovered the German Shepherd's remarkable qualities. As a result, some servicemen took the dogs home. From that moment, the breed's popularity grew by leaps and bounds outside Germany.

Geraldine R. Dodge with Rin Tin Tin in 1929

At the 1933 show, Mrs. Dodge brought Rin-Tin-Tin in from Hollywood, using the popular film star to further interest in the German Shepherd breed. It was not unusual in those days to see major two-legged celebrities and stars such as Gary Cooper in attendance at Morris & Essex shows. With dog stars like Rin-Tin-Tin, German Shepherds gained in popularity within the United States.

Mrs. Dodge died in 1973, but her influence on dogs and charities lives on through her charitable foundation, the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation. One of these charities is the St. Hubert's Giralda Animal Welfare and Education Center located on the grounds of Giralda Farms, her old estate. Giralda was the name of Mrs. Dodge's kennel. St. Hubert's Animal Welfare Center was the beneficiary of the 2000 Morris & Essex dog show.