Is it a German Shepherd or Alsation???
Discussion
Ok....so this is a long running debate...
one school of thought says that German Shepherds were "renamed" as Alsations during the war so as to remove the assosiation with Germany,
the other school is that the above is complete rubbish and the difference is to do with the rear of the dog (back/hips/legs) being at a 90 degree angle or more slanted being the difference between breeds....
and the third agrees with the dog breed being renamed because of the German assosiation but also adds that the angle of the rear leg denotes if the dog is an "English" or "German" German Shepherd/Alsation.
Just what on earth is the truth here? From breeders to vets, everyone who I ask seems to have a different answer, so does anyone on here know the real difference......if there is one!!!
one school of thought says that German Shepherds were "renamed" as Alsations during the war so as to remove the assosiation with Germany,
the other school is that the above is complete rubbish and the difference is to do with the rear of the dog (back/hips/legs) being at a 90 degree angle or more slanted being the difference between breeds....
and the third agrees with the dog breed being renamed because of the German assosiation but also adds that the angle of the rear leg denotes if the dog is an "English" or "German" German Shepherd/Alsation.
Just what on earth is the truth here? From breeders to vets, everyone who I ask seems to have a different answer, so does anyone on here know the real difference......if there is one!!!
From Wikipedia...
"The breed was named "Deutscher Schäferhund" by Von Stephanitz, literally translating to "German Shepherd Dog". The breed was named as such due its original purpose of assisting shepherds in herding and protecting sheep. Shepherds were first exported to Britain in 1908 and The Kennel Club began to recognise the breed in 1919 and adopted the direct translation of the name for the official breed registry. However, at the conclusion of World War I it was believed that the inclusion of the word "German" would harm the breed's popularity, due to the anti-German sentiment of the era.[10] The breed was officially renamed by the Kennel Club to "Alsatian Wolf Dog",[a] this name was also adopted by many other international kennel clubs. Later the name was changed again to "Alsatian" as the appendance "wolf dog" caused discontent after media capitalised on the name to run a scare campaign advertising that "half-wolves" had been let loose in Britain.[10] The name remained until 1977 when successful campaigns by dog enthusiasts pressured the kennel clubs to allow the breed to be again registered as German Shepherd Dogs.[1]"
"The breed was named "Deutscher Schäferhund" by Von Stephanitz, literally translating to "German Shepherd Dog". The breed was named as such due its original purpose of assisting shepherds in herding and protecting sheep. Shepherds were first exported to Britain in 1908 and The Kennel Club began to recognise the breed in 1919 and adopted the direct translation of the name for the official breed registry. However, at the conclusion of World War I it was believed that the inclusion of the word "German" would harm the breed's popularity, due to the anti-German sentiment of the era.[10] The breed was officially renamed by the Kennel Club to "Alsatian Wolf Dog",[a] this name was also adopted by many other international kennel clubs. Later the name was changed again to "Alsatian" as the appendance "wolf dog" caused discontent after media capitalised on the name to run a scare campaign advertising that "half-wolves" had been let loose in Britain.[10] The name remained until 1977 when successful campaigns by dog enthusiasts pressured the kennel clubs to allow the breed to be again registered as German Shepherd Dogs.[1]"
You know I have heard this before to me they are the same - then I came across a person with a long haired one. Apparently according to her the long haired ones are pure breeds and are German shepherds! and the others are the Alsations! Don't get it my self! Isn't just long haired and short haired german shepherds or Alsations, the same basically! They are still bitey! which ever the breed!!
marshalla said:
No - they are AlsatiAn - from AlsAce, not AlsOce.
So they are probably Alsatians when Alsace is in France and German Shepherd Dogs when Alsace is in Germany. So, as of 20:30 on 2 September 2008 they are Alsatians but, given the history of that part of the world, that could change anytime 
Edited by V8mate on Tuesday 2nd September 20:32
V8mate said:
marshalla said:
No - they are AlsatiAn - from AlsAce, not AlsOce.
So they are probably Alsatians when Alsace is in France and German Shepherd Dogs when Alsace is in Germany. So, as of 20:30 on 2 September 2008 they are Alsatians but, given the history of that part of the world, that could change anytime Edited by V8mate on Tuesday 2nd September 20:32
Russian Shepherd Dogs any day now, probably...BeerForBreakfast said:
They are all evil whatever they all called.
Being chased by one in my childhood was one of the most scary moments in my life.
I hate them.
thats not true imo its all down to how they are brought up , all the german shepards i have had are as soft as a brush , you wouldnt get in the house as would chase yu off , but thats what dogs are there for family pets and to protect you . Being chased by one in my childhood was one of the most scary moments in my life.
I hate them.
i have seen some nasty ones about but then theres some very timmed ones all depends on there training , i get a lot of pepole cross the road or stare when i walk mine down the street without a lead , pepole are coming to learn now that wouldnt hurt a fly .
V8mate said:
marshalla said:
No - they are AlsatiAn - from AlsAce, not AlsOce.
So they are probably Alsatians when Alsace is in France and German Shepherd Dogs when Alsace is in Germany. So, as of 20:30 on 2 September 2008 they are Alsatians but, given the history of that part of the world, that could change anytime Edited by V8mate on Tuesday 2nd September 20:32
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