The history of working line German Shepherds began in German and dates back to the 1850s. Originally, these dogs were bred as livestock guardian dogs. They served a dual purpose. On the one hand they watched over the flocks by night. And on the other hand, they protected the human shepherd whose job it was to watch over the animals. Very early in the breed development, this dual purpose shifted to focus on tracking and human protection. While the German Shepherd continues to fall under the classic “herding dog” breed category, few German Shepherds have fulfilled this role in many decades. For most of the last century, working line German Shepherd Dogs (GSDs) have nearly exclusively worked in search and rescue tracking work as well as human protection.
Max von Stephanitz: the Original German Shepherd Dog Breeder
A German captain and former veterinary student, Max von Stephanitz, is generally credited with playing an oversized role in the development of this breed. Inspired by a dog named Hektor Linksrhein, Stephanitz sought to create a line of highly obedient and trainable working dogs with. Stephanitz believed, “Function was the real measure of beauty.” For this new breed to be truly beautiful, it must therefore be a “functional breed.” Functionality— the ability to thrive in training, to perform search and rescue tracking and protection work is an inseparable function of what makes a German Shepherd a German Shepherd. Based on Stephanitz’ view of functionality, many modern, American show line German Shepherd are no longer beautiful according to Stephanitz’ definition of beauty. While these American show line dogs may look like the show line breed standard, these dogs are no longer available to function at a high level as working dogs. Ergo, they are no longer beautiful! Here at Czech Working Line, we could not agree more with Stephanitz’ definition of beauty. This is precisely why we only breed working line German Shepherds here at Czech Working Line. We only use health tested stud dogs that pass rigorous working exams. In order for a working line German Shepherd stud to pass our standards, the dog must be tested to a high level against an objective standard. Not only are we only using stud dogs where nearly every dog for generations upon generations have passed working line exams with flying colors, but so must every IGP titled dog in our breeding program. By excluding dogs that don’t pass these rigorous exams, we are able to preserve Stephanitz’ original view of functional dogs as beautiful dogs. With many American show line GSDs never being tested against any kind of objective standard, many top, purebred American champion German Shepherds have largely lost the ability to excel in tracking and protection work. And this doesn’t even get into the health disaster of the extreme roach back in show lines (Neither space nor time permits dealing with the show line’s roach back in this article. For a broad overview of why you ought to steer far, far away from the show line dogs GSDs, see here.)
Horand von Grafrath: Godfather to Functional German Shepherds
Max von Stephanitz’ first laid eyes on Hektor at a dog show. In Stephanitz’ eyes, Hektor was the ideal dog. He fell in love. Stephanitz bought him on the spot and renamed him “Horand von Grafrath.” Other herding dogs, along with four wolves were bred with Hektor and his offspring. This was the start of the German Shepherd dog breed. Stephanitz’s breeding program sought to produce strong working dogs— dogs able to work. Functional dogs that were super easy to train. Dog that could track alongside the world’s elite tracking dogs. And dogs uniquely suited to human protection work. Stephanitz sought to develop dry dogs, dogs with calm nerves. These dry dogs would bite and protect on command. They were not nervous dogs, biting out of fear. Horand’s genes (Stephanitz’ Hektor renamed Horand) became the foundational to the German Shepherd Dog breed.n Through careful line breeding, dogs like Schwaben and Beowulf were born. These Horrand offspring set the stage for the working line German Shepherds we see today.
Working Line German Shepherds Not Like their Show Line Counterparts
The true working line German Shepherd quickly took a hard turn from Stephanitz’ early mandate where functionality equaled beauty. Show dogs and handlers soon took center stage. More and more show line GSDs began to be prized for as AKC champions. Unlike the working line German Shepherd dogs, many of these show line champions were never put their their paces proving their character and temperament. This was not required to win a championship. A purebred AKC champion German Shepherd dog could win a championship or grand championship title simply by walking in a circle in the show ring. Whichever dog the AKC judge deemed closest to the breed standard won the dog show. But notice how far the show circuit is from Stephanitz’ original description of functional dogs as a a thing of beauty. A glorified beauty pageant, the show line championship does virtually nothing to ensure the dog winning the championship is actually a capable, gifted “working line German Shepherd.” While some show line dogs may also pass working line exams, many, many never do. These show line champions arguably are nothing more than glorified couch warmers. The closer these dogs are to true working line dogs in their pedigree, the more likely these dogs will be able to to function as tracking and protection dogs. But at the same time, the faster these show dogs get from true, authentic working line bloodlines, these dogs simply lose their ability to “do the work of a tracking or protection GSD.”
Three Main Types of Working Line German Shepherds
West German Working Line German Shepherds
Many working line German Shepherd dog breeders consider the west German working line one of the more “balanced types of German Shepherds.” Not extreme in size, great or small. These moderate dogs have continued
The working line German Shepherd dog history began in German and dates back to the 1850s. Originally, these dogs were bred as livestock guardian dogs. They served a dual purpose. On the one hand they watched over the flocks by night. And on the other hand, they protected the human shepherd whose job it was to watch over the animals. Very early in the breed development, this dual purpose shifted to focus on tracking and human protection. While the German Shepherd continues to fall under the classic “herding dog” breed category, few German Shepherds have fulfilled this role in many decades. For most of the last century, working line German Shepherd Dogs (GSDs) have nearly exclusively worked in search and rescue tracking work as well as human protection.
Max von Stephanitz: the Original German Shepherd Dog Breeder
A German captain and former veterinary student, Max von Stephanitz, is generally credited with playing an oversized role in the development of this breed. Inspired by a dog named Hektor Linksrhein, Stephanitz sought to create a line of highly obedient and trainable working dogs with. Stephanitz believed, “Function was the real measure of beauty.” For this new breed to be truly beautiful, it must therefore be a “functional breed.” Functionality— the ability to thrive in training, to perform search and rescue tracking and protection work is an inseparable function of what makes a German Shepherd a German Shepherd. Based on Stephanitz’ view of functionality, many modern, American show line German Shepherd are no longer beautiful according to Stephanitz’ definition of beauty. While these American show line dogs may look like the show line breed standard, these dogs are no longer available to function at a high level as working dogs. Ergo, they are no longer beautiful! Here at Czech Working Line, we could not agree more with Stephanitz’ definition of beauty. This is precisely why we only breed working line German Shepherds here at Czech Working Line. We only use health tested stud dogs that pass rigorous working exams. In order for a working line German Shepherd stud to pass our standards, the dog must be tested to a high level against an objective standard. Not only are we only using stud dogs where nearly every dog for generations upon generations have passed working line exams with flying colors, but so must every IGP titled dog in our breeding program. By excluding dogs that don’t pass these rigorous exams, we are able to preserve Stephanitz’ original view of functional dogs as beautiful dogs. With many American show line GSDs never being tested against any kind of objective standard, many top, purebred American champion German Shepherds have largely lost the ability to excel in tracking and protection work. And this doesn’t even get into the health disaster of the extreme roach back in show lines (Neither space nor time permits dealing with the show line’s roach back in this article. For a broad overview of why you ought to steer far, far away from the show line dogs GSDs, see here.)
Horand von Grafrath: Godfather to Working Line German Shepherds
Max von Stephanitz’ first laid eyes on Hektor at a dog show. In Stephanitz’ eyes, Hektor was the ideal dog. He fell in love. Stephanitz bought him on the spot and renamed him “Horand von Grafrath.” Other herding dogs, along with four wolves were bred with Hektor and his offspring. This was the start of the German Shepherd dog breed. Stephanitz’s breeding program sought to produce strong working dogs— dogs able to work. Functional dogs that were super easy to train. Dog that could track alongside the world’s elite tracking dogs. And dogs uniquely suited to human protection work. Stephanitz sought to develop dry dogs, dogs with calm nerves. These dry dogs would bite and protect on command. They were not nervous dogs, biting out of fear. Horand’s genes (Stephanitz’ Hektor renamed Horand) became the foundational to the German Shepherd Dog breed.n Through careful line breeding, dogs like Schwaben and Beowulf were born. These Horrand offspring set the stage for the working line German Shepherds we see today.
Working Line German Shepherds Not Like their Show Line Counterparts
The true working line German Shepherd quickly took a hard turn from Stephanitz’ early mandate where functionality equaled beauty. Show dogs and handlers soon took center stage. More and more show line GSDs began to be prized for as AKC champions. Unlike the working line German Shepherd dogs, many of these show line champions were never put their their paces proving their character and temperament. This was not required to win a championship. A purebred AKC champion German Shepherd dog could win a championship or grand championship title simply by walking in a circle in the show ring. Whichever dog the AKC judge deemed closest to the breed standard won the dog show. But notice how far the show circuit is from Stephanitz’ original description of functional dogs as a a thing of beauty. A glorified beauty pageant, the show line championship does virtually nothing to ensure the dog winning the championship is actually a capable, gifted “working line German Shepherd.” While some show line dogs may also pass working line exams, many, many never do. These show line champions arguably are nothing more than glorified couch warmers. The closer these dogs are to true working line dogs in their pedigree, the more likely these dogs will be able to to function as tracking and protection dogs. But at the same time, the faster these show dogs get from true, authentic working line bloodlines, these dogs simply lose their ability to “do the work of a tracking or protection GSD.”
Three Main Types of Working Line German Shepherds
West German Working Line German Shepherds
The West German working line is considered one of the most balanced types of German Shepherds. It originated in West Germany when the country was divided into East and West. This line has emphasized Stephanitz’ emphasis on functionality. Striving to continue the legacy of dogs able to work, breeders of west German working line German Shepherds continue to require stringent testing standards. Dogs unable to pass rigorous working line exams are excluded from breeding. Oversized German Shepherds are not bred, as are smaller dogs.
Bred for stable temperaments, and a high ability to work long hours in stressful situations, this moderate line of working line German Shepherds continues Stephanitz’ original intent of the German Shepherd breed as functional dogs capable of high level work. Unlike show-line, beauty pageant “glam dogs,” west German working lines are bred to thrive in real world jobs, such as police and protection work. West German working line German Shepherd dogs can also be great family dogs. But when family dogs, they will do better in homes where they can get a lot of exercise, spending time outdoors.
East German Working Line German Shepherds (DDR German Shepherds)
East German working line German Shepherds are the second distinct line in working line German Shepherds. These dogs are typically referred to as DDR dogs. This name comes from the German “Deutsche Demokratische Republik” (DDR), meaning the German Democratic Republic.
Following World War II, the East German working line German Shepherd Dogs gained popularity. Originally bred in East Germany, these dogs were carefully selected for military and police work. Many of these dogs are known for a slightly larger frame than some of the west German working line dogs. With some dogs sporting bigger, blockier heads and bone structure, the DDR dogs were ideal for protection and military work.
Not the sole result of private breeding programs, East German government engaged in its own working line German Shepherd Dog breeding program (very similar to what we saw occurring within Czechoslovakia prior to is dividing into two sovereign states). Emphasizing dry dogs, the DDR government breeding program dogs were subject to strict breeding rules. These rules were put in place for the purpose of creating a line of working line German Shepherd Dogs highly capable of security work. These DDR German Shepherds were specifically bred to handle harsh winters. This emphasis on robust dogs required strong hip and elbow joints. DDR government breeding programs required prospects to be capable of scaling high fences and walking or running for long hours in the icy cold as well as the heat of summer. Without exceptional joint health, these dogs would soon fall apart. Joint health was prioritized among DDR working line German Shepherd dog breeders. The combined emphasis of the East German government breeding programs, selecting for dry dogs, sound joints with an emphasis on longevity led to the development of excellent working dogs.
Czech German Shepherds
Czech German Shepherds are also known as Czechoslovakian Shepherds. Similar to the DDR government breeding programs, Czechoslovakian German Shepherds were bred with the goal of performing specialized tracking and protection work. GSD historians generally date the Czech working line German Shepherds as starting in earnest sometime in the 1950s. Interest in the Czech lines increased substantially after the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989. After the fall of the Wall, Czech German Shepherds displaced DDR German Shepherds as one of the world’s premier working line German Shepherds.
Originally bred for border patrol and military work, these dogs are known for high drive. Many of these dogs are winning even today in Schutzhund. With high food and prey drive, the Czech working line German Shepherds have been selected for decades as highly trainable dogs. In the early days of creating these lines, the Czech Army started leaned heavily on DDR working line German Shepherds. Even today, Czech German Shepherds share many traits with DDR line dogs. Like the DDR lines, Czech working line German Shepherd dogs have been bred to be loyal dogs with strong nerves and high working ability.
Physically, Czech German Shepherds tend to be lean and muscular. This lean look gives them an athletic appearance. Over decades, these dogs were selected to present with deep chests, strong jaws, and thick paws— all traits helping these Czech working line German Shepherds thrive in the more serious roles for which they were originally bred. Fast forward to the 21st century, these dogs are in homes across the world. Many GSD enthusiasts prefer the Czech lines above all other working line German Shepherds. This can be especially true for owners wanting to do Schutzhund sport and protection work. Here at Czech Working Line, we specialize in Czech line working dogs. While we don’t exclusively breed the Czech lines, they do make up a lion’s share of pedigree in our dogs.
Conclusion
Working line German Shepherds have a long history as “functional working dogs.” Such a description can hardly be overstated. Unlike their show counterparts, working line dogs must of necessity posses the temperament and character to thrive in tracking and protection work. They must be highly trainable. If not, they arguably would no longer meet the definition of a beautiful working line German Shepherd dog. Whether they come from West Germany, East Germany, or the Czech Republic, these dogs are known for their abilities in police work, protection, and military service. Not only do they thrive in these more serious types of work, the working line German Shepherds further fulfill a massive role in today’s world as good family protection dog. Responding well to training, these dogs are highly capable as personal protection dogs as well as trained guard dogs. Here at Czech Working Line, we whelp half a dozen litters or so each year of truly authentic “working line German Shepherds.” Our dogs are regularly tested against an objective standard to ensure their abilities. Our pedigrees are stacked with IGP titled dogs who have passed obedience and protection exams. If you have arrived at our page just doing research on the history of working line German Shepherds, we are glad you stopped by. But, if your research is because you are in process of looking for a working line German Shepherd puppy for sale, head over to our available puppies page. See what we have available. Give us a call. We’d love to talk about one of our new litters of working line German Shepherds or even a specific working line German Shepherd puppy for sale we have listed.
