When choosing a dog breed, it is imperative to note that the German Shepherd is one of the best and most loved breeds in the world.
Due to their obedience and ability to serve in many capacities, they have been mesmerized by many. However, you might have heard the term “Alsatian” and wondered how it relates to the German Shepherd.
Are these dogs similar to that one, or are they different? In this article, we will discuss the history, appearance, and types of German Shepherds to clear up the confusion between Alsatian and German Shepherds.
We will also discuss some of them, such as the large German shepherd dog, Black and brown German shepherd, king German shepherd, and others, including the black German shepherd and White German shepherd.
Brief History of the German Shepherd
To understand the definition of Alsatin and the German Shepherd, we should first describe its origin. The German Shepherd breed was created at the end of the XIX century by the German officer Max von Stephanitz.
He sought to breed a perfect herding dog, one that would be intelligent and powerful enough to do a lot of work.
The development brought to life the German Shepherd, a breed that quickly gained admiration in its country of origin and almost every corner of the globe.
In order to have a deeper understanding check What is Special About German Shepherds?
What Is an Alsatian?
The “Alsatian”, incidentally, was named during the First World War; in several countries, such as Britain and Germany, it was an enemy, and naming the breed associated it with the enemy.
The breed was renamed the ‘Alsatian Wolf Dog’ after the Alsace-Lorraine district bordering France and Germany to remove this negative connotation.
Later, the “Wolf Dog” part was eliminated, and the breed became simply known as the “Alsatian. ” Nonetheless, the Alsatian was genetically indistinguishable from the German Shepherd.
In 1977, however, the Kennel Club in the United Kingdom returned to its original name, and the breed is now known as the German Shepherd in most countries of the world.
That being said, some people, especially in the United Kingdom, may use names such as Alsatians due to the older generation or just because they share previous knowledge.
There is not much physical variation, but there are differences between Alsatians and German Shepherds, which can be pointed out here and there.
Physical Differences Between Alsatian and German Shepherd
These types have been created for different uses and usually differ in terms of the physical design.
1. Large German Shepherd
Merely as the name suggests, the large German Shepherd is a bigger variant of the normal German Shepherd. German Shepherds generally range from 50 to 90 pounds, while big German Shepherds can exceed 100 pounds in weight.
Due to their size, these dogs are typically bred for work or guarding. It is worth noting that, like their small size, they do not lose their alertness and quick-wittedness, which are characteristic of the breed.
2. Black and Brown German Shepherd
The German Shepherd is, therefore, a rather popular colour variation within the German Shepherd dog breed. Unlike other dogs of the same breed, which are black and tan coated, these dogs have a Brown coat.
This colouration occurs due to the dilution gene, which operates on the black pigment in the fur. Nevertheless, even though this kind of darling has an extraordinary color that may be considered absolutely inadmissible in respectable circles, this does not have any relation to the character and the performance capabilities of the dog.
However, the Black German Shepherd is not acknowledged as a legal breed of dog, and so it can be deemed ineligible for some shows or breeding.
3. All Black German Shepherd
An additional wonderful sub-breed of the German Shepherd is the all-black German Shepherd. These dogs are completely black, and no other colour can be seen on their bodies.
The German Shepherd black gene is not very common, so when a breeder comes across a black-coated German Shepherd, they tend to get excited and deliberately produce the puppy.
Just like any other German Shepherd, the all-black German Shepherd boasts a smart, loyal, and versatile breed. These colour variations are seen in both working and show breeds of dogs.
4. King German Shepherd
The king’s German Shepherd is a giant, apart from being a huge dog. This variation is a result of crossbreeding between the standard German Shepherd and the Shiloh Shepherd, Alaskan Malamute, or even the Great Pyrenees.
The outcome is a dog that may need to weigh 90 to 150 pounds, and of course, that’s far greater than that of the normal German Shepherd. For protection work or use as a family guardian, the king German Shepherd is prized for its size and physical power.
Although they are quite large in size, beef cattle are considered to have a docile nature.
5. German Shepherd Black
The term “German shepherd black” has two meanings: all-black German Shepherd and the black parts of the standard German.
Black is popular in deed amongst German Shepherds, and it is often merged with tan, White, or sable.
The black colouration of German Shepherds makes these dogs appear very smart, stylish, and powerful, given that they are usually muscular and alert.
6. White German Shepherd
The other colour variation includes the White German Shepherd, in which case the tan areas of the coat are deeper White than the usual lighter shades of white.
This striking colour normally manifests in show lines wherein appearances are given higher importance.
The White German Shepherd is not only pretty to behold; these dogs are as intelligent and capable as any other type of German Shepherd.
Temperament and Personality
Now, regarding the Alsatian or German Shepherd, temperament is one of its most unique attributes.
These dogs are intelligent, loyal, and can easily be trained. are highly intelligent and energetic. They are employed in duties like police work, search and rescue, and even as service dogs.
They are also suitable for being home with families, particularly children, because they are neither aggressive nor violent.
Irrespective of whether it is a large German Shepherd, black German Shepherd, or even the king German Shepherd, the main characteristics are fairly similar. However, the dogs’ temperament can vary slightly from dog to dog, depending on how they have been bred.
Check out Are German Shepherds for Beginners? Everything You Need to Know To understand your dog better.
Whether you own an Alsatian, a German Shepherd, it is important to know that these dogs are very intelligent creatures that need lots of exercise.
They are highly intelligent animals which require regular exercise in order to have a sound health. If they do not get enough exercise, they will get bored and may resort to various destructive behaviours, which include barking and chewing on items.
Socialisation needs to be done for these dogs for simple reasons apart from their high IQ: they are massive and powerful.
In any case, if you have a German Shepherd, you must socialise the dog and put him through obedience lessons.
Responding well to the positive reinforcement techniques, these dogs are willing to learn new things rapidly. They are skilled in different dog competitions that include obedience, agility trials or herding events.
Health and Lifespan
As is the case with all the dog breeds, German Shepherds and Alsatians are not exempt from some illnesses.
The hip and elbow dysplasia are the most prevalent diseases which are disorders of the joints which may lead to pain and difficulty in the movement of the affected limbs.
Some of the larger dogs including the large German Shepherd or the king German Shepherd might be more inclined to have these problems as a result of their size.
Another disease related with this animal’s health is bloat that occurs when the stomach of the animal fills up with gas and twists.
Though this may not be well experienced, it may be lethal if the condition is left uncompensated.
If one is an owner of a German Shepherd irrespective of the color like all black German Shepherd or Black and Brown German Shepherd, he needs to be conversant with the worst condition known as bloat and rush the dog to the vet in case of its incidence.
The average North American lifespan of this breed is close to that of the global average, between 9 and 13 years on average depending on its inherited genes, diet, and overall conditions of its living.
This highlights the fact that, similar to human beings, dogs also need to visit a vet on a regular basis, take their food and exercise properly in order to have a healthy life.
Check out Common Health Issues in German Shepherds. Full Guide with Preventions.
Conclusion
To sum up, it is possible to state that the Alsatian and the German Shepherd are, in fact, the same breed of dogs, and the only reason why they are called differently is some historical events that took place.
In the course of its breeding the German Shepherd has developed into several working types with different features. No matter if you like powerful and strong breed like the large German Shepherd or if it is the color of the coat that attracts you to the White German Shepherd, you will find a German Shepherd for you.
Irrespective of whether you choose an all-black German Shepherd, king German Shepherd, German Shepherd black or White German Shepherd, it is a breed that is intelligent, loyal and offers versatility in all aspects of training.
If properly trained, exercised, and cared for, these dogs are wonderful to have as pets, and they can do virtually all the tasks associated with dog parenting.
In other words, whether you decide to refer to these amazing animals as Alsatians or German Shepherds, it is rather clear that they are one of a kind.
FAQs
1. Are Alsatians and German Shepherds the same breed?
Yes, Alsation and German Shepherd is the same thing. In reference to the name used in the UK during first world war which named them ‘Alsatian’ however they are in fact german shepherd.
2. What colours do German shepherds come in as a basic knowledge?
Some of the popular color range that is related to this breed includes the Giant German Shepherd, Black German Shepherd, German Shepherd black breed, and White German Shepherd.
3. What is a King German Shepherd?
King German Shepherd however is a larger cross breed which is a German Shepherd White with other large breeds including Shiloh Shepherd, Alaskan Mals or Great Pyrenees giving birth to a very huge yet friendly dog.
4. Does a German shepherd need a lot of exercise?
As for any GSD, whether of standard or breed type, they demand reasonably brisk physical and mental activity to prevent overabundant and/or aberrant behaviors.
5. What are the common diseases that affect the German Shepherds?
Some of the diseases that responsible for the death of German Shepherds include hip as well as elbow dysplasia, bloated and other diseases that affects larger ones such as the large German Shepherd and king German Shepherd .
