Slideshow · Animals
German Shepherd Dogs: 11 Facts
From a single dog at a show in 1899 to the most decorated working breed on Earth -- German Shepherds carry secrets that will completely change how you see them.
All 11 Entries in this Story
11. They Can Run At 30 Mph
German Shepherds can hit 30 mph -- faster than Usain Bolt's record of 27.8 mph. Their powerful hindquarters make them one of the fastest dog breeds alive.
10. Born With Floppy Ears
Every GSD puppy is born with floppy ears and blue eyes. The ears stiffen between 5 and 8 months -- but during teething they often flop back, giving owners a scare.
9. AKC Dropped German From Name
After WWI, anti-German sentiment ran so high that the American Kennel Club dropped German from the breed name. They were simply Shepherd Dogs in the US until 1931.
8. Called Alsatian Until 1977
Britain went further -- rebranding the breed Alsatian Wolf Dog in 1919. British dog lovers used that name for 58 years. German Shepherd was not restored until 1977.
7. They Were WWI Mercy Dogs
In WWI, German Shepherds served as mercy dogs -- carrying first aid supplies through no-man's land to reach wounded soldiers who could not be rescued under fire.
6. Rin Tin Tin Almost Won An Oscar
Rin Tin Tin was rescued from a WWI battlefield as a newborn. He starred in 27 films and reportedly won the most votes for the first Best Actor Oscar -- until the Academy gave it to a human.
5. The First Guide Dog (1929)
The first guide dog for the blind was a German Shepherd. In 1929, Buddy graduated from The Seeing Eye and partnered with Morris Frank -- giving blind people an independent life.
4. Schutzhund Was A Breed Test
In 1901, Max von Stephanitz invented Schutzhund with one purpose: to test if a GSD was worthy of breeding. Dogs that failed tracking, obedience, and protection were cut from the gene pool.
3. World's 3rd Most Intelligent
Stanley Coren's study ranks German Shepherds 3rd among all breeds for intelligence. They learn a new command in fewer than 5 repetitions and obey first-time at least 95% of the time.
2. Every GSD Shares One Ancestor
Every purebred German Shepherd alive today traces its family tree to one dog: Horand von Grafrath -- the very first German Shepherd ever registered, in 1899.
1. Invented In 1899 By One Man
The entire breed was invented in one year. In 1899, Captain Max von Stephanitz spotted a wolf-like dog at a show, bought him on the spot, and founded the German Shepherd breed from scratch.
