The German Shepherd was developed in Germany in the late 1800s by Captain Max von Stephanitz, who wanted to create the perfect herding dog that combined intelligence, strength, and trainability. He founded the breed in 1899 with a single dog named Horand von Grafrath, whom he discovered at a dog show.
During World Wars I and II, German Shepherds served with distinction as messenger dogs, rescue dogs, sentries, and supply carriers. Their courage and loyalty in wartime made them famous worldwide. After WWI, returning American and British soldiers brought them home, where their versatility made them popular.
The breed's name was temporarily changed to "Alsatian" in the UK during the World Wars due to anti-German sentiment, and some countries still use this name. Today, German Shepherds are the second most popular breed in the US and serve in military, police, search-and-rescue, and as devoted family companions. They're also the breed most commonly used as guide dogs and service dogs.