German Shepherd

<p>The German Shepherd, also known in Britain as an Alsatian, is a German <a href="/facts/Dog_breed/sfzAFQ6a">breed</a> of <a href="/facts/Working_dog/4bf38RVo">working dog</a> of medium to large size. The breed was developed by <a href="/facts/Max_von_Stephanitz/InHCY98P">Max von Stephanitz</a> using various <a href="/facts/Old_German_herding_dogs/jVwCLkRh">traditional German herding dogs</a> from 1899.
</p><p>It was originally bred as a <a href="/facts/Herding_dog/et1plHP5">herding dog</a>, for herding <a href="/facts/Sheep/cjkJyI4f">sheep</a>. It has since been used in many other types of work, including <a href="/facts/Assistance_dog/9dCcEy8a">disability assistance</a>, <a href="/facts/Search-and-rescue/pdLTUPgl">search-and-rescue</a>, <a href="/facts/Police_dog/LjR3Qn9G">police work</a>, and <a href="/facts/Dogs_in_warfare/B2q0hX50">warfare</a>. It is commonly kept as a <a href="/facts/Companion_dog/I19g1Xsy">companion dog</a>, and according to the <a href="/facts/F%C3%A9d%C3%A9ration_Cynologique_Internationale/q8krLf1n">Fédération Cynologique Internationale</a> had the second-highest number of annual registrations in 2013.
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German Shepherd open-in-new

German Shepherd