The German Shepherd (German: Deutscher Schäferhund, German pronunciation: ) is a breed of medium to large-sized working dog that originated in Germany. In the English language, the breed's officially recognized name is German Shepherd Dog (GSD). The breed was officially known as the. Alsatian in the UK from after the First World War until 1977 when its name was changed back to German Shepherd. Alsatian in the UK from after the First World War until 1977 when its name was changed back to German Shepherd. However, she managed to escape and return to him. Hitler, who adored the loyalty and obedience of the dog, thereafter developed a great liking for the breed. Holocaust victim Benjamin Jacobs described running away from German Shepherd dogs who harassed his family at Auschwitz extermination camp, where over 1 million people were murdered. During the first half of the twentieth century, the Shepherd Dog came to be strongly identified with Imperial and Nazi Germany, because of the breed's association with purity and militarism.