The German Shepherd Dog

A Historical Timeline of Events

A Brief German Shepherd History

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German Shepherd history, relatively speaking when compared to many of
the other breeds of dog, is still that of a very young breed - just over 100
years old. Today the German Shepherd Dog is considered one of the
most intelligent and versatile dog breeds in existence - the future will
indeed be very interesting for the breed.

Indeed, the GSD history has been nothing short of intense so far. Below
you will find a brief timeline of events for the German Shepherd Dog
containing historical information.

A Brief German Shepherd Timeline and History

1891 - Phylax Society formed. Short-lived, this dog club was a

precursor to the Verein fur Deutsche Schaferhunde,or S.V., later
created by Max von Stephanitz, the most important man in the GSD
Timeline.

1899 - Verein fur Deutsche Schaferhunde,or S.V. formed. Held first

annual "Sieger" show.

1906 - First GSD believed to have set paw upon North American
shores.

1907 - The first German Shepherd Dog exhibited in America.

1908 - The first German Shepherd registered with the AKC.

1908 - The GSD first arrived in Britain in the early part of the century
around this time.

1912 - Anne Tracy of New York imported the first German

Shepherds into the United States.
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1913 - The German Shepherd Dog Club of America was formed by
Benjamin Throop and Anne Tracy, with 26 charter members.

1913 - The first championships awarded German Shepherd Dogs.

1914 - Further in the timeline, German Shepherd's served in WWI and

were a large part of the war effort.

1915 - The German Shepherd Dog Club of America's first

specialty show was at Greenwich, Connecticut.

1917 - When America entered World War I, all things German became
tabu. The American Kennel Club changed the name of the breed to
the Shepherd Dog and the German Shepherd Dog Club of America
became the Shepherd Dog Club of America. In England, the name of
the breed was changed to the Alsatian.

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 began to bring some order to the breed.

1921 - German Shepherd Strongheart becomes one of the first

canine silent movie film stars.

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

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

Shepherd Dog Review.

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

1928 - Buddy, a German Shepherd, becomes the first Seeing Eye

dog among other service dogs to follow in the GSD timeline.

1936 - Max von Stephanitz, the founder of the German Shepherd Dog
breed, died, on the 37th anniversary of the SV.

The paths of German and American shepherds diverged after

World War II. American bred dogs evolved as breeders established a
beautiful type. In Germany at this time the breed was in poor shape
however but by around 1949 quality GSD specimens began to appear
again at German shows.

1964 - The first White German Shepherd Dog Club was formed to
protect these beautiful white dogs by fanciers in Sacramento, California .

1967 - In June, 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.

1968 - The SV started the hip dysplasia program.

1968 - The white German Shepherd was disqualified from the

conformation show ring in America.

1969 - White German Shepherd Dog Club of America was formed.

1971 - The SV started tattooing German Shepherds.

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1977 - Following numerous campaigns by breeders the name of our
breed was changed back to the German Shepherd Dog by which it
is known in the USA, Australia, and most other countries.

1987 - Ch. Covy Tucker Hill's Manhattan is the first German Shepherd
to be named best in show since Westminster began making the
award 80 years ago.

1989 - Koton, a German Shepherd, stars as Jerry Lee, a police dog,

in the Hollywood major movie called K-9.

1995 - Ch. Altana's Mystique, top-winning performer in American

canine history, retires after 275 best in show victories, more than any
other dog or dog breed before or after.

2007 - In the film, I Am Legend, a female German Shepherd named

Abbey plays Sam, the companion of main character Robert Neville.

And so it continues .......

We hope you!ve enjoyed this look back in time - if you are interested in
learning more about the German Shepherd Dog, please visit
our website for more information:
www.total-german-shepherd.com

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