What is the true definition of a Alsation, and is it different to a GSD? Questions

I was reading a article about GSD's when I was at the vets, when something drew attention to me, in the article the person talked about Germanic (sorry about the spelling ) GSD's, and then they talked about Alsations, which they described as being a English version of the GSD, now is this right? As I had always been told that the Alsation name was given to GSD's in the war and that they are the same dog, so what is the true definition of a Alsation, and is it different to a GSD?

Sorry for the question, its just bugging me now.

can't ansswer you but i kow a lot of the german breeding lines are favoured

There are different `types` of GSDs. ATM the Kennel Club is disputing with UK GSD breeders about the wobbly hocked type. All types differ from GSDs of 30 years ago.
There is a thread here http://www.dogsey.com/showthread.php?t=98254
GSD enthusiasts get passionate about this so I`m staying out of it!

eta - yes, GSDs were called Alsations in the war to avoid appearing unpatriotic (having a German dog).

Ok thanks, now I'm just off to look at the link too.

I thought that the name alsation were because of the war, which is why it stood out for me in the article

Er totally wrong I'm afraid, the name Alsatian Wolfdog was given to the GSD not in the war but after the First World War in 1919. Some of the breed were brought back to the UK after being captured with German Soldiers(not very good examples BTW) Because of the vehement hatred of anything German(nothing to do with being unpatriotic)that results in both anything remotely German being destroyed or killed by angry UK citizens(this included Dachshunds)as Alsace Lorraine was taken back into France the breed was given this incorrect name.

The term Wolfdog was quickly dropped due to the believe that the dogs were Wolf hybrids.

To have been correct the dogs should have been called Altdeutsche Schäferhunde or Old German Shepherd Dog in 1919.

The name wasn't corrected until a famous Bull Terrier expert, Raymond Oppenheimer, at the UK KC's AGM in 1977, however as a sop to the breeders who dislike the type bred in Germany, the Alsatian was added in brackets after the correct name.

The fans of the Alsatian type still prefer to call their dogs Alsatians

Alsatians




German Shepherds


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I adore Timo (top pic of German Shepherds)

Hi, do you have any pics of them stood naturally ie. not in show stance? I can't always tell if it's the stanceor the conformation that makes the back look exaggerated. What would you say are the main differences between the English and German types? (not starting a debate btw, I actually just don't know!)

So they are a English strain then? This is confusing (well to me anyway).

GSD or Alsatian is more about the people than the dogs. Some breeders like the more continental type but they also like the continental way of showing & now with pet passports many are showing in France, Holland Belgium & Germany itself.
The Alsatianists tend to show more in a way we all used to in the 60's. BUt though there ar extremes in either camp, a lot of the dogs are very similar, its the owners & the way they are shown that make them look so different..

Actually the Alsatianists on the whole do not health test, bother about temperament, soundness, it's all about the glamour & show stance for them. They still show their dogs on very fine chokers up high under their ears & stack their dogs & holding them rigid at the front with their fingers holding their ears up. I go to the UK clubs two shows at Newark because there is Obedience as well. The breed classes well what can I say ? I'll quote what an obedience person said about the dogs"should their back ends look like they are knitting a jumper?" I've never seen a truly sound "Alsatian"in the ring.

I prefer VPG or HGH type German dogs as they are bred to work either VPG trials or sheep/cattle

Sorry I haven't any photos of the dogs in my previous post in any other than the show stances shown, except for Echo, but all his photos are non digital sady

They were called Alsatians in the UK and also in the USA between the wars.

Heres a couple of West German lines not in show stance


sorry about poor light but it was dawn
this is Zandi an extreme WG line dog not in stance

Korean sire/German dam