The **German Shepherd** (German: *Deutscher Schäferhund*), also known as the **Alsatian**, a breed of medium-large size dog. It was first developed in Germany. They are often used as police dogs, but they have many other uses. They have been variously used as herding dogs, guard dogs, military dogs, eyes for the blind and as pets. Because of their intelligence, speed, drive, eagerness and balance, they are now called 'multi-terrain' dogs as well as 'most complete dog breed' for their versatility, adaptability and suitability.

An important modern use is in search and rescue. In former times the American Rescue Dog Association only used air-scenting Alsatians to locate people who are missing or lost. They search in wilderness, disaster, human body remains and water search and rescue and recovery missions. The breed is smart, athletic and can live in a wide variety of climate conditions. 

Male German Shepherds usually weigh around 30–40 kilograms (66–88 lb). Females usually weigh around 22–32 kilograms (49–71 lb).

The term Alsatian wolf dog, instead of German Shepherd dog, was first popularly used by the British in the First World War. This was because the country was at war with the German Empire. Adolf Hitler, a German dictator, was also known to have German Shepherds as companions.

The German Shepherd Dog breed, as it is currently known, was developed by the founder and the first president of the Association for the German Shepherd Dog breed Max Emil Friedrich von Stephanitz at the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th centuries.

Gallery
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* German ShepherdGerman Shepherd
* A completely black puppyA completely black puppy
* Grey variety of a German ShepherdGrey variety of a German Shepherd
* A German Shepherd used as an assistance dog for blind peopleA German Shepherd used as an assistance dog for blind people
* German Shepherd, used as search and rescue dogs in a collapsed buildingGerman Shepherd, used as search and rescue dogs in a collapsed building
* Rin Tin Tin, early canine movie starsRin Tin Tin, early canine movie stars
* Horand von Grafrath - the first German Shepherd DogHorand von Grafrath - the first German Shepherd Dog
* Max von Stephanitz - founder of the breed and first president of the Association for the German Shepherd Dog breedMax von Stephanitz - founder of the breed and first president of the Association for the German Shepherd Dog breed
* The German Shepherd Dog Book In Word And PictureThe German Shepherd Dog Book In Word And Picture
* German Shepherd Dog - a general bone extructureGerman Shepherd Dog - a general bone extructure
* A German Shepherd and its handlerA German Shepherd and its handler
* German Shepherd trainingGerman Shepherd training
* German Shepherd looking at camera while the owner watchesGerman Shepherd looking at camera while the owner watches
* A twelve-year-old female German ShepherdA twelve-year-old female German Shepherd
* German Shepherd with her two-day-old puppiesGerman Shepherd with her two-day-old puppies

Transportation of an animal
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Disabled people carry guide dogs with them in wagons of all types. There is no charge for the transportation of guide dogs and transportation documents are not issued.