Why the breed exists
Max von Stephanitz standardized the shepherd dogs of the German countryside in 1899 with a motto that remains the purest statement of breeding intent ever written: 'utility and intelligence.' The original work was tending — patrolling the boundaries of unfenced grazing as a living fence. When pastoral life faded, von Stephanitz deliberately steered the breed into police and service work, and it became the world's soldier, guide, search-and-rescue, and patrol dog. No breed has been asked to do more things for people, and none has said yes more often.
The official written standard belongs to the breed's parent club.Read the official German Shepherd Dog standard →
Choosing a German Shepherd Dog on purpose
Every breed has its own list of required health screenings, kept by its parent club and published through OFA. A preservation breeder working in this breed tests to that list and shows you the results — including the ones that didn't go their way.
Carry the messageEvery Bred By Co. piece funds this education work.
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