German Shepherd resting in the park (deviddo (123RF))
Origins and History
German Shepherds, also known as Alsatians, originated in Germany in the late 1800s. During the latter half of the century, there was a concerted effort across Europe to standardize dog breeds. This standardization could help people choose the best type of dog for their families: working dogs, herding dogs, companion dogs, etc.
In Germany, shepherds were interested in breeding dogs that had the skills like smell, strength, intelligence and speed needed to herd sheep. Max von Stephanitz is credited with breeding of the German Shepard. He purchased Horand from a large dog show in Germany for 200 gold coins, according to the American Kennel Club. Von Stephanitz admired Horand’s intelligence, character and wolf-life appearance and intentionally bred him. He combined the small, stocky, good-tempered dogs from Thuringia with larger, heavier-boned dogs from Wurtenberg to create a herding dog that looked good and worked well in the fields. According to the American Kennel Club, virtually every German Shepherd alive today has Horand’s blood.
A breed standard for the German Shepherd was created in 1899 and they were first exported to the U.S. in 1906. Since then, they have made wonderful working, herding and family dogs.
German Shepherd puppy in the garden (dorazett (123RF))
Great Working Dogs
German Shepherds have branched out from simply herding sheep. They have earned a reputation as respected police and military dogs. They were first used by the German army in World War I. By World War II, the U.S. military saw the breed’s potential and used them as messengers, guards and rescue dogs. Today, they continue to be used for narcotics and explosive detection along with locating missing persons and as service animals. German Shepherds have a history as Secret Service dogs in the past.
German Shepherds are also beloved in media. Rin Tin Tin was found in France by an American soldier in World War I, brought back to America and went on to be a silent film star, starring in over 20 movies and even garnering fan mail. His descendants, Rin Tin Tins II and IV, starred in the 1950s show “The Ancestors of Rin Tin Tin.” Other famous German Shepherds include London from “The Littlest Hobo,” Bullet from “The Roy Rogers Show,” Samantha from “I Am Legend,” and Bat-Dog from the “Batman” comic book series.
German shepherd dog running on the track (annaav (123RF))
Great Local Dog Walks
Whether you have a German Shepherd or a dog who is just German at heart, we’ve got a list of great places to take them.
1. Burg Lichtenberg (Thallichtenberg, near Kusel): Take your dogs for a walk and see one of the largest castle complexes in Germany. Nature.Fitness.Park® Burg Lichtenberg features three medium-rated hiking trails that begin at the castle and range from 5km to just over 11km.
2. Hainerberg Dog Park (USAG Wiesbaden): This leash-free dog park features plenty of shaded areas for your dog to run freely. There is also a nearby playground so the entire family can get in on the fun.
3. Wildpark Potzberg (Between Kaiserslautern and Baumholder): Komoot features several hikes to the wildlife park ranging from easy to expert: 4.6 km to 21.7 kilometers. While dogs are allowed in the park, keep your eyes peeled for signs indicating areas they aren’t permitted (such as the birds of prey show).
4. Circular Path around Hessloch (Near Wiesbaden): This one is perfect for those seeking something a little longer than a kilometer, but not a multi-hour adventure. This 5.5km route takes an average of 90 minutes to complete the loop.
Click here to learn about dog training in the KMC.
