Separate Breed or Just a Variety of the German Shepherd ?
The status of the Altdeutscher Schäferhund is often the subject of lively discussions among dog enthusiasts. For some, it represents the direct ancestor of the German Shepherd, a relic of 19th-century German herding dogs. For others, it is nothing more than a long-haired German Shepherd, and for the most radical, the Altdeutscher Schäferhund is not even a German Shepherd! This divergence of opinion reflects the complexity of a history intertwined with rural traditions, breeding choices, and decisions by cynology clubs.
Origins of the German Shepherd
We must look back to the history of the breed, whose ancestors already lived in Germany as early as the 7th century. These robust and reliable dogs, whether short-haired or long-haired, were primarily used to guard sheep herds. Thanks to their vigilance and natural confidence, they quickly gained a reputation as guard and protection dogs.
The versatility of these shepherds and their excellent working abilities attracted the attention of Prussian cavalry captain Max von Stephanitz. In 1871, he began a methodical selection of these utility dogs. His main goal was to create a working dog endowed with courage, loyalty, obedience, endurance, and strength.
When the German Shepherd Club (SV) was founded in 1899, it set the breed standard and still accepted all coat colors and types: harsh coat, short coat, medium coat, or long coat. Over time, however, the SV increasingly restricted the types allowed in German Shepherd breeding.
Exclusion of Long Hair and the Birth of the Altdeutscher Schäferhund
After eliminating white and harsh-coated shepherds, the long-haired German Shepherd was banned from breeding in the early 20th century (1921 according to some sources, 1930 according to others). Von Stephanitz believed that long hair impaired the dog's weather resistance and working qualities, preferring the "lupoid" type with short, dense coat.
Even though long-haired puppies continued to appear in many lines, they were not permitted to reproduce by the SV. This decision, classifying long hair as a "disqualifying fault," sparked strong criticism. Some enthusiasts and breeders decided to continue breeding them outside the official standard, informally preserving this rustic type. To distinguish them from the SV-recognized German Shepherd, they named them Altdeutscher Schäferhund ("old German Shepherd").
Alongside the SV, a true selection developed around these dogs, with a specific standard. Under this name, some regional herding dogs were also grouped, such as the Harzer Fuchs or Gelbbacke. However, neither the SV nor the FCI (Fédération Cynologique Internationale) recognized this standard.
Selection work was carried out to strengthen the constitution and health of the Altdeutscher Schäferhund, notably through the addition of East German (DDR) bloodlines. Developed from 1949 in the German Democratic Republic, they were known for their straight backs and great robustness.
The Return of Long Hair in 2010
In 2010, a significant turning point occurred: the long-haired German Shepherd was officially reinstated in the breed standard by the SV, with FCI approval. Since then, it has been recognized as a full variety of the German Shepherd.
However, for Altdeutscher Schäferhund breeders, the separation was already a fact. In their eyes, the A.S. is not just a long-haired German Shepherd, but a distinct lineage that followed its own evolution, much like the White Swiss Shepherd. While the long-haired German Shepherd may have short-haired ancestors, the Altdeutscher Schäferhund is distinguished by the continuous transmission of long hair over multiple generations.
Appearance and Character
Visually, the Altdeutscher Schäferhund closely resembles the classic German Shepherd. It shares with it the large upright ears, elongated muzzle, attentive gaze, and bushy hanging tail. The colors are also identical: black and tan, solid black, or wolf gray. The height at the withers ranges from 60 to 65 cm for males and 55 to 60 cm for females.
The notable difference is the coat length, which is more abundant and flexible, particularly on the legs, ears, tail, and neck, where it forms a kind of mane. With its thick undercoat, the dog often appears more massive, even though the weight remains comparable: 28 to 32 kg for females and 33 to 40 kg for males.
Loyal, stable, and vigilant, the Altdeutscher Schäferhund has a temperament very similar to that of the German Shepherd. Its reliability, sound instinct, and great endurance make it an excellent guard, protection, and working dog. But it is also known for its balanced and friendly nature, making it a valued family companion. It gets along particularly well with children, becoming both their protector and playmate.
It is said, however, that the Altdeutscher is generally a bit calmer and more composed than the classic German Shepherd, with a higher tolerance threshold.
Like all shepherds, it still possesses a strong working instinct. For its balanced character to fully express itself, it requires early socialization, consistent training, and plenty of exercise and stimulation. This is not a dog for passive owners: it suits active people willing to share hikes and various sports activities.
Distribution and Recognition
In the early 2000s, the Altdeutscher Schäferhund, often referred to as the “old-type German Shepherd,” began to gain recognition beyond Germany, notably in the Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, and France. In 2006, the first dedicated club appeared in France, bringing together enthusiasts of this variety and long-haired German Shepherds. Several associations followed, culminating in the 2013 foundation of the Union Cynophile Française Altdeutsche Schäferhunde (UCFAS). To date, the Altdeutscher Schäferhund is not recognized as a breed by the FCI and therefore cannot obtain an official pedigree (LOF).
The Altdeutscher Schäferhund remains at the heart of a passionate debate: independent lineage or mere variety of the German Shepherd, it continues to captivate with its rustic appearance, robustness, and reliable temperament.
Sources: