It was Max von Stephanitz who gripped all the essential credits for the development of the highly talented, faithful and obedient German Shepherd. He solely conceptualized a great variety of sheep herding dogs into one single variety. He visualized a dog of righteous character, great working ability, loyal and comprehensively trainable. Shepherd dogs were known as the best working dogs in 18th and 19th centuries. The shepherds in Germany employed their dogs to direct their group of sheep as well as cattle. The first priority was given on their working ability, not on their appearance. The root of these dogs in historical timeline has not yet been identified.
In the late 19th century, a movement for initiating the herding sheep method was inspired by Captain von Stephanitz. The movement also influenced his decision to establish his organization Verein fur Deutsche Schaferhunde where both talent and beauty were prioritized. Although von Stephanitz also put his primary emphasis on the working ability of the German Shepherd, the attempt of increasing good appearance was also found to be important.
One of the early problems involved in the timeline of the development of the German Shepherd was when there was an apparent decline in the demand of shepherd dogs. By that time, it was again von Stephanitz who trained the German Shepherd as a police dog, which turned out to be a great source of service to mankind in general. During late 19th century and early 20th century increasing number of dog shows led the breeders to consider both the appearance and the efficiency of their dogs equally.

In 1899, with the persistent guidance of von Stephanitz, the concept of the modern German Shepherd took its place in reality with the establishment of Verein. During the First World War, England discovered the German Shepherd and brought this dog under the name of Alsatian home. By that time the overall control of all breeding in Germany was done by Verein fur Deutsche Schaferhunde. In the post Word War II phase, Germany was destroyed and in ruins, so was the breeding organization as well as the breeding policy. It was typically assumed that the best German Shepherd was bred in North America during that phase.
During late 19th century, von Stephanitz implemented his extensive knowledge, expertise and breeding experience into new experimentations. He adopted different concepts used in the German Shepherd breeding techniques advocated in England during that period. In 1899, von Stephanitz purchased Horand von Grafrath while he was attended a dog show. Horand was awarded as the first registered German Shepherd in the studbook. It was the great range of qualities of this breed that made Captain von Stephanitz so elated.

Horand, a medium sized dog, was the symbol of the perfect combination of vivacity and physical activity. His beautiful lines all over the body made his very attractive. A dog of obedience, bravery, defense and energy was extensively admired for its mental alertness. The perfect blend of these exquisite qualities and boldness are all that made the German Shepherd so valuable worldwide. In today's world, imported German Shepherds are in high demand for their outstanding sense of smell, excellence in obedience, sound temperament and brilliant physical structure and working efficiency.

The German Shepherd is an active breed with elegant beauty. It has a universal appeal due to its excellent obedience, loyalty and working ability. This article offers all the basic German Shepherd information including its history.