on few ocasions I have encounterded the term 'american shepard'. my question is if they are refering to an actual breed or american blooded german shepard. thanx

Floyd

Hi V.Floyd

This is a generic term, and just my views on this topic - Most American breeders would get upset when you clarify there breed of dogs as not being a German Shepard Dog.

This is a term for Germany Shepards that was derived from the American show perference. From this breeding process came the term America SD.

This process has transformed this dog into a total different animal only the pointed ears and sabre tail, and colors are similar. These dogs temperment, drive, purpose and body confirmation are totally different then the show dogs or working line of Germany. Most American show dogs have a server body angulation, and the all important flying trout.

Then you have the Shioloes shepards, the King Shepards (100-150lb mixes) and minature shepards.

In America, trying to make a buck, brings about varations and inovations that are great for PC design/medical discoveries but can ruin the standards of a dog breed.

We say American SD but there is also the British SD thats has a different body confirmation and temperment, this dog was also bred away from tenacity. To a meeker mere copy of the original GSD.
This my opinion base on what I've seen and read.

Forgive the Typos

This is a term for German Shepherds that was derived from the American show perference. From this breeding process came the term America Shepherd Dog.

English SD were also called Alstainsains (the wolf dog) this was a post WWII anti-anything from germany thing. Is what I read.

thanks for making that clear, Don.

Floyd