Question: what is the difference between an alsatian and a german shepard

title: German Shepherd
text: The German Shepherd ( German : Deutscher Schäferhund , German pronunciation : ( ˈʃɛːfɐˌhʊnt ) ) is a breed of medium to large - sized working dog that originated in Germany . The breed 's officially recognized name is German Shepherd Dog in the English language ( sometimes abbreviated as GSD ) . The breed was once known as the Alsatian in Britain and Ireland . The German Shepherd is a relatively new breed of dog , with their origin dating to 1899 . As part of the Herding Group , German Shepherds are working dogs developed originally for herding sheep . Since that time however , because of their strength , intelligence , trainability , and obedience , German Shepherds around the world are often the preferred breed for many types of work , including disability assistance , search - and - rescue , police and military roles , and even acting . The German Shepherd is the second-most registered breed by the American Kennel Club and seventh-most registered breed by The Kennel Club in the United Kingdom . 

Answer: answer: The German Shepherd originated in Germany. It was once known as the Alsatian in Britain and Ireland.