History

German Shepherd 

As a versatile utility dog, the German Shepherd breed has several different "types" that each have their own origin, history, and unique traits. Each of these different lines, although all of them are German Shepherd Dogs, may be better suited than others for different purposes and functions. Each type is valued and respected for what it brings to the German Shepherd breed.

American show line

Canadian show lines

West German show line

West German line of work

East German line of work

Czech line of work

Line mixes

All of these types of German Shepherd Dogs within the breed are unique for a variety of reasons. Physical appearance, drives, temperament, and purpose vary between lines, but they are all German Shepherds alike.

West German show line

The most popular type of German Shepherd in Germany, West German show lines are bred to conform to the SV standard (standard originally created by Max Von Stephanitz) which also requires the dog to obtain health clearances for the hips and forelegs. elbows (free from hip and elbow dysplasia, hereditary diseases) and a job title (often herding or IPO/Schutzhund) before being bred. Plant of this type is very specific and typically very uniform.

Schutzhund (IPO) is a German word meaning "protection dog." It refers to a sport that focuses on developing and evaluating those traits in dogs that make them the most useful and happy companions to their owners.

American and Canadian show line

Popular in North America since the 1970s, the American and Canadian show lines dominate the national breed clubs and the standards set by each club are strictly adhered to.

The firm structure and lateral gait is what characterizes this line of the German Shepherd.

West German line of work

German Shepherds of the West German working bloodline are often considered to be the closest type of German Shepherd to the original dogs produced under Max von Stephanitz. This line focuses its efforts on correcting the work structure, providing a solid temperament and especially correcting the strong impulses and the ability and manageability of the dog in work situations.

German Shepherds belonging to the West German working line excel in many different sports, real work situations (herding, rescue, guarding, etc.) and service positions. Like all German Shepherds they should also make good family pets.

East German line of work

Desarrollada después de la Segunda Guerra Mundial a partir de los perros supervivientes de los utilizados en la guerra, esta lía de Pastores Alemanes fueron mantenidos estrictamente por el gobierno de Alemania Oriental.

El control rígido de las líneas de sangre originales de la antigua DDR dio lugar a un parecido muy distinto. Mejor conocido por su estructura de trabajo típicamente correcta, cabezas grandes, estructura grande y capa oscura. Las líneas de sangre de DDR también son conocidas por ser perros muy sólidos, aunque las unidades de trabajo pueden variar. Las líneas de sangre más antiguas de la DDR son valoradas por su fenomenal genética y temperamento.

In general, GDR (East German) dogs tend to be short to medium build. They often have shorter, more blocky frames and heavier bones and strong heads. In the last 25 years (since the Berlin Wall fell in 1989) breeders of this line have bet on good looks and temperament and not so much on work ability. However, the line specimens usually maintain the strong and old territorial and defensive instincts and are generally very good as tracking or hunting dogs. They have a tendency to be easy-going and sensitive, very attached to their family and aloof with strangers. There are some dogs that are stronger in working capacity, but if these dogs are not bred properly they can be high-strung specimens and of low working utility.

Czech line of work

Originally from communist Czechoslovakia and based on a community of working dogs used primarily for border patrol work and military dogs.

Los perros pastor alemán de la línea checa se criaban básicamente para el trabajo militar y de la policía – eran perros desagradables con los extraños, preparados para guardar las fronteras e intimidar. Tienden a tener piernas más largas y cuerpos más delgados que los perros de la DDR.

Único para este tipo, la cría original de perros checos giraba alrededor de la perrera Pohranicni Straze del ejército checoslovaco. Algunas de las líneas de sangre checas contienen unidades de trabajo fenomenal y tienden a ser intensos, y ágiles perros de trabajo.

Summary

Actualmente los tipos de pastores alemanes se dividen principalmente en dos grande líneas: los pastores alemanes criados para el exito en las demostracion y son criados para el exito en el campo de trabajo (schutzhund/IPO).

Some dogs in the show line may have good working qualities, but the goal behind each breed is to get a dog that is successful based on how the dogs look and move in show shows, not how the dogs work. , behave or train.

German working lines – 20 years ago and today, are bred for herding or hunting, trainability, and defense of their territorial unit. They are generally reliable and get along with people in a variety of settings, their prey aggressiveness is much greater than their defensive aggressiveness, and they are usually easy to train.