HISTORY OF THE BREED

I have traced the linage of  my dogs past and present back to 1880’s and to the first dog registered as a German Shepherd by the newly formed ‘Society for German Shepherd Dogs: founded by Capt Max von Strphanitz

The foundation of the breed was born Hektor Linksrhein on the 1^st Jan 1895 and renamed Horand von Granfrath after Capt Max von Strphanitz purchased him for 200 gold marks in 1899

The linage of Horand von Granfrain is most likey from the cross breeding of Shepherd dogs from rural Germany -

 Thuringian Shepherds (north Germany) and Thuringian Shepherds (Southern Germany)

Father - Kaster born 7^th Feb 1893              Mother - Lene (Sparwasser)

Grandfather - Pollux born 22^nd Feb 1891      Grandmother  – Flock (Schalermadchren von Hanau)

Great Grandfather Roland born circa 1887  Great Great-grandmother -  Courage

Kastor (von Hanau) and Lene (Sparwasser) were two German Shepherds who are significant in the breed's history as the parents of Horand von Grafrath, the first dog registered in the German Shepherd Dog stud book. Horand's registration marked the beginning of the formal breed standard and the official stud book for the German Shepherd. 

Here's more detail about Kastor and Lene

• Kastor:

Kastor was a well-built, strong, and tall dog with a grey coat. He was noted for having a coarse head, which some considered wolf-like. His full name was Kastor (von Hanau) and his stud book number was SZ 153.

• Lene:

Lene, whose full name was Lene Sparwasser, also had a grey coat. She was registered as SZ 156 in the stud book.

• Horand von Grafrath:

Horand was the result of the pairing of Kastor and Lene. He was the first dog registered in the German Shepherd Dog stud book, bearing the number SZ 1. His registration was a crucial step in establishing the breed and its formal standards. Horand is said to have had a yellowish dark grey coat

The Thuringian Shepherd was likely Horand von Grafrath original breed category before his name change and the formation of the ‘Society for German Shepherd’

Interesting to note that many of the founding dogs coats were light to dark grey, including some white and yellowish sable and how little information on the females (Dams) of the breed in the early days

Directly or indirectly every German Shepherd is descended from Horand von Grafrath

The links below take you to more details on the history of the breed

The Thuringian Shepherds had erect ears and wolf grey coats, where as the Wurttemberg Shepherds were generally larger, heavier boned, had better movement and superior tail carriage