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First imported in 1923, by 1928 the government had imposed a ban on the importation of the German Shepherd Dog because they were believed to be dangerous.
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The breed in Australia, had a bit of a rocky start. The breed has continued to grow in popularity the world ever since then. By 1926, the number had exploded to 8,000. In 1919, 54 German Shepherds were registered with the UK Kennel Club. This does not mean, however, that the German Shepherd is not able to herd, many are very successful at that job as well.Ī man by the name of Max von Stephanitz is credited for creating the standard for the breed, with the founding of the Society for the German Shepherd Dog in 1899 and the first dog to be registered within it, Horan von Grafrath. In contrast, Border Collies for example, are herders, used to move the animals from one place to another. They are considered a “tending” breed – meaning they were used to keep the livestock in a designated grazing area and would constantly run the borders of that area to do so. Breed HistoryĪs the name implies, the German Shepherd Dog was developed in Germany in the late 1800s to herd and guard livestock. If you have been thinking about adding a German Shepherd Dog to your family, check out this information sheet to help you decide if the German Shepherds is the dog for you. They are seen as intelligent protectors, making them an attractive dog to many people in many different situations – from obedience competitors to those looking for a family pet.
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Is The German Shepherd Dog The Dog For You?Īlthough the name implies a gentler ancestry, German Shepherd Dogs are most widely recognized as police or military dogs.
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