05/02/2015
THE GERMAN SHEPHERD AND THE ALSATIAN
We are often asked what the difference is between a German Shepherd and an Alsatian - In principle there should not be a difference, currently in the UK they are classed by the kennel club as the same breed.
When the Gsd came over to the UK many years ago the public were LED TO BELIEVE that the dogs had originated from Alsace in France. - Hence the name given was Alsatian.
The true name of the breed was later given in the UK as the GERMAN SHEPHERD with Alsatian being in brackets.
There has been wide publicity and growing concerns for the Gsd in the UK, the breed has been split between the German Shepherd and the Alsatian, and the Alsatianists have decided to breed a totally different type of dog taking away the true recognised International standard.
Below are two photographs, one of the correct type ( German Shepherd ) and one of the Alsatian - a name which Germany the originating country of the breed has no record of use and therefore class as an unknown breed. As you will see they have no resemblance to a German Shepherd at all. The hind angles in the Alsatian are nearly touching the floor and the turn of stifle greatly exaggerated causing extremely weak rear ends and extreme unsoundness, the backs are elongated to the point of becoming dipped and again weak.
The photograph of the German Shepherd is Sieger Zamp V Thermodos one of the most select dogs in the world and who is also classed as one of the best producers in modern day. Zamp has proven himself to work and has been awarded top honours Sch H3. Although Zamp is a ''show dog'', to be awarded the title ' Sieger ' or ' VA ' he must also have proven himself to be a working dog, obedience, tracking, a dog of considerable stamina , man work and more importantly to be producing correct type, healthy progeny and excellent characters.
For many years the Alsatianists in the UK would have the public believe that their type of dog is correct, they could not be further from the truth.
It is sometimes difficult to explain the full extent of the difference between the German shepherd and the Alsatian so we endeavour to show this with photographs.