# Why are they called "German Shepards" ? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [July 9, 2000, 11:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-they-called-german-shepards/25029 "2000-07-09T11:34:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![HalloweenMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c5a1d2/32.png) [@HalloweenMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HalloweenMan)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2000, 11:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-they-called-german-shepards/25029/1 "2000-07-09T11:34:14Z")
Why are those dogs called German Shepards? I’m guessing German because they’re from Germany, where is shepards from? ---
**Author:** ![ricepad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b38774/32.png) [@ricepad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ricepad)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2000, 11:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-they-called-german-shepards/25029/2 "2000-07-09T11:37:18Z")
They’re called German Shepherds because they were originally bred to be herding dogs…and IIRC, in other parts of the world, they’re known as Alsatians. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2000, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-they-called-german-shepards/25029/3 "2000-07-09T14:06:54Z")
_"Achtung!!! You vill stand in zee meadow, you vill eat grrrass, and you vill luf it!!!_ ---
**Author:** ![tygre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c4cdca/32.png) [@tygre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tygre)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2000, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-they-called-german-shepards/25029/4 "2000-07-09T15:17:26Z")
They’re also the only breed of dog with “dog” in the name of the breed - German Shepherd Dog . White GSD’s are not eligible for registration because they are the same color as the sheep. –tygre ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2000, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-they-called-german-shepards/25029/5 "2000-07-09T15:50:03Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by tygre \* > \*\*They’re also the only breed of dog with “dog” in the name of the breed - German Shepherd Dog . > > White GSD’s are not eligible for registration because they are the same color as the sheep. > > –tygre \*\* My Wife who breeds them says: White GSDs are eligible for registration with the AKC or UKC but the AKC standard makes the color white a disqualification for the breed ring. There are a number of White dogs that guard sheep such as Kuvasc (sp) and Great Pyranese (sp). ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2000, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-they-called-german-shepards/25029/6 "2000-07-09T22:43:46Z")
All I can say is, German sheep must be a lot tougher than English ones… Just look at the dogs that you need to use to herd them. Seriously, though, I think that the primary function of German shepherds is to protect the flock from wolves, while other sheepdogs, such as collies and English shepherds actually guide (herd) the sheep. I’m probably wrong on that, so someone please correct me. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2000, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-they-called-german-shepards/25029/7 "2000-07-09T22:55:13Z")
GSDS indeed herd sheep and other animals. They tend to work the perimeters, however, which led to the development of their effortless trot. Yes, they protect the flock as well. When the sheep farms vanished in Germany, von Stephanitz, the founder of the GSD, supported shutzhund type trials to keep the breed working. Today, the GSD is perhaps the most versatile breed of dog. They herd, do police and military work, Search and Rescue, lead the blind, act as therapy dogs, herd the sheep, excell in obedience and agility, tracking, and I’ve even known a few who earned field dog (hunting) titles. But their best role, IMO, is as best friend and companion. ---
**Author:** ![Ringo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/779978/32.png) [@Ringo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ringo)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2000, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-they-called-german-shepards/25029/8 "2000-07-09T23:00:53Z")
I don’t know when the term was first used, but I’ve been told by manny people of my parents’ generation that the use of the name Alsation blossomed during WW II (as an alternative to referring to them as _German_).