The German Shepherd – German Lines Or American Lines – Which Are Better?
The German Shepherd dog breed, which was born more than 100 years ago, has changed tremendously since then. This breed has gone in separate directions in Germany and America. Now German Shepherds bred in Germany have a completely different look and a different temperament than those bred in America. Different breeders have different preferences as to what they prefer; German lines or American lines. Due to the contrasting views on this issue, I intend to share some information today, so you can decide which side to be on.
Let me first explain how the many dog breeds and dog associations are organized. If you’re trying to understand the GSD breed, this is an important point; as you will understand later.
There is an organization called FCI or “Federation Cynologique Internationale”, based in Belgium. This world canine organization was established on May 22, 1911 and its main mission is to defend and preserve purebred dogs throughout the world. The main activity of the FCI is to link all dog clubs in the world to have consistent breed standards. Even more; ensures that all pedigrees and judges are recognized by all FCI members bilaterally.
The organization has 84 members, one from each country. They all issue their own pedigrees and train their judges. These are national registries, but there are some that are international. Throughout the world, national clubs are members or associates of the “Federation Cynologique Internationale”. The only major exceptions are the United States, England, and Canada.
The FCI has 10 groups that encompass the different breeds: 1st Group; Sheepdogs and Cattle Dogs (except Swiss Cattle Dogs) 2nd group; Pinschers and Schnauzers – Molossoid – Swiss Mountain Dogs, Swiss Cattle Dogs 3rd group; Terriers (large and medium) 4th Group; Dashshunds 5th Group; Spitz and Primitive Types 6th Group; Hounds and Related Breeds 7th Group; Sample Dogs 8th Group; Retrievers – Flushing Dogs – Water Dogs 9th Group; Companion Dogs and Toy Dogs 10th Group; sight dogs
The German Shepherd dog breed is part of the herding group.
There is also an independent organization; a breed-specific registry club that is not a national registry. It is known as SV or Verein fur Deutsche Schaferhunde (the German Shepherd Dog Club in Germany). This is the parent club of the breed. It is the largest and most active breed-specific club in the world. The SV has two main activities. It is a breed-specific registry and sponsors sporting and training events, which influences the breeding of working dogs.
There is also a third club, the World Union of SV or the WUSV. The WUSV was founded in 1974. This club is a member of the FCI. It is a liaison club, which brings together the more than sixty GSD clubs from around the world and serves as a liaison with the SV and also connects them with the FCI.
There are other clubs, such as the American Kennel Club or the AKC, that are not members of the FCI and do not meet its conformation standards. The “Fédération Cynologique Internationale” recognizes the breed standard of the country of origin. For this reason, the conformation standard adopted by the FCI is that of the SV. Thus, any German Shepherd dog that is not registered in a national registry that follows the FCI regulations, without a doubt, has not been bred according to the breed standard.
The American “German Shepherd” is not admitted by the FCI as a true German Shepherd Dog. This controversy is so important that it is necessary to take a little time to explain how the discussion started.
At the beginning of World War II, dogs of this breed in the United States were exactly the same as German Shepherds in Germany. An example that exemplifies this is a dog by the name of Pfeffer von Bern. This was the last German Shepherd (who had a major impact on the advancement of the GSD in the United States) to be imported into the United States before the war began, Pfeffer won the title of Grand Champion of the United States in 1937 and was brought back to Germany the same year and won the Sieger; he later returned to America and became Grand Champion of the United States, again in 1938. He was also the first dog to receive a Register of Merit or ROM. This is a title that is based on cumulative credits awarded to the animal’s progeny. The intention is to recognize outstanding stallions. The Pfeffer von Bern lineage dominated German Shepherd breeding in the United States during the 1940s.
During World War II there was great hostility between the United States and Germany, so the Americans isolated their upbringing from that of Germany. There was excessive breeding and inbreeding and American “German Shepherds” began to show characteristics of their own. At the end of World War II, there were some American breeders who realized they needed to go back to the original German Shepherd and imported a large number of German Shepherds. However, there was already a new trend underway. Judges and breeders in America had begun to appreciate their own “German Shepherd” style. This type was more refined and had much more angled hindquarters, which was a necessity due to its distinctive door.
The last imported dog to be American Grand Champion was Arno von der Kurpfalzhalle, in 1969. From that day on, the American “German Shepherd” evolved on its own and today no German Shepherd imported from Germany would stand a chance with any dog. show in America. The American “German Shepherd” is now primarily an object of beauty. Many aspects of this dog’s characteristics, such as his usefulness and his great temperament and good health, have been sacrificed for his “floating trot.” These days, there’s really no resemblance between the American version and the German version, except for sharing the name.
In the next article I will delve a little deeper into the differences between these two “types” of German Shepherd and share more information about the other varieties of the German Shepherd dog breed.
