Alsatian vs German Shepherd: Are They Both the Same Thing?

Dogs truly are a man’s best friend. They are loving, energetic, and full of unique personalities. Dogs, though, at the end of the day are a lot of work and responsibility. Some breeds are harder to care for than others, which is why research is so important!

Maybe you’ve been researching popular dog breeds lately and you’ve come across the term ‘Alsatian. Sometimes, the word is associated with German Shepherds, but why? Are they the same breed? Follow along to learn the differences between Alsatians vs German Shepherds.

Are Alsatians and German Shepherds the Same Breed?

It may surprise you, but Alsatians and German Shepherds are the same breed! So, why are there two names? This name confusion began during World War 1. Both sides used German Shepherds , but they had different names. The British though didn’t want to call this dog a ‘German Shepherd’, since Germans were their main enemy. Instead, they started calling their trusty soldier dogs “Alsatians”, which come from the area Alsace-Lorraine at the German-French border. Now over a century later and these adorable and trustworthy dogs are often thought to be two different dog breeds. Turns out, they are the same dog!

About German Shepherds/Alsatians

German Shepherds are beautiful dogs. They are fearless and have a long history. These dogs, as you may have guessed, originate from Germany . They were first bred in the 1800s. Max von Stephanitz developed German Shepherds when he noticed the number of herding dogs dwindling. German Shepherds were bred as working dogs, specifically to protect sheep from predators and keep them safe.

Max von Stephanitz loved German sheep herding dogs but wasn’t content with them. His journey began with Hektor Linksrhein, a dog he bought in 1899 at a dog show. This dog was developed through selective breeding. This dog-loving ex-cavalry captain changed the dog’s name to Horand von Grafrath and stated he would be the first German Shepherd. Shortly after purchasing the dog, he founded the Society for German Shepherd Dogs.

It didn’t take long for the public to fall head over heels for this intelligent dog breed. However, in the United States for a short while the dog was considered a dangerous breed. It was even banned in Australia in 1929, but this has since been lifted.

Description and Size

German Shepherds are one of the easiest dogs to identify. They are medium to large-sized dogs and weigh about 49 to 88 pounds. Females are slightly smaller than male German Shepherds. Female German Shepherds stand at about 22 to 24 inches tall, while males can grow up to 26 inches.

Most German Shepherds have short, dense, and thick hair. However, some German Shepherds inherit the long hair recessive trait. Their coats are brown, black, and red. While most German Shepherds share a similar coat pattern, these dogs can have pure-black, pure-white, or bi-color panda coats.

German Shepherds have black noses and brown eyes. They also have long ears that stand up and a long muzzle. Their jaws are strong and filled with 42 teeth. Many of this dog breed’s features are long and strong, including its neck.

Temperament

Alsatians are friendly dogs, despite their reputations. They are also very intelligent and one of the easiest dog breeds to train. These dogs are used in the police force and by firefighters.

German Shepherds are active dogs and require a lot of exercise. They are easier to train as puppies. If you are thinking about adopting a German Shepherd, it’s important to know they require a lot of space and attention. While they pick up commands quickly, boredom can result in destructive behavior.

German Shepherds were bred as working dogs and still have this trait. They thrive when they have a purpose or a job. These intelligent dogs are also overprotective over their loved ones. Although German Shepherds aren’t inherently aggressive or dangerous, they pack a powerful bite. In the United States, from 1971 to 2018, this dog breed was responsible for the most hospital-required bites.

German Shepherd Fun Facts

• German Shepherds live up to 13 years.
• The oldest German Shepherd in the world lived for 18 years. However, some unofficial reports claim German Shepherds can live up to 29 years.
• As puppies, and while teething, German Shepherds have floppy ears.
• There are about 5 German Shepherd varieties in the world.
• German Shepherds benefit from socializing at an early age.
• This dog breed played many roles in silent movies. Strongheart, a German Shepherd, was the highest-grossing star in Hollywood during the 1920s and 1930s.

Up Next:

• Belgian Shepherd vs German Shepherd: 5 Key Differences
• German Shepherd vs Australian Shepherd: 8 Differences
• German Shepherd vs Husky: 8 Key Differences Explained

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