One Breed, Comparing Lines: Understanding the Differences Within the German Shepherd
The German Shepherd, officially, exists in only one breed according to the standard established by the German SV (first draft 1899, last revised 2009).
However, behind this facade of unity lie very distinct lines, resulting from very different selection choices depending on the historical and geographical contexts and the desired purposes: work, sport, exhibition... or a combination of several.
Knowing these lines is essential for any enthusiast, future buyer or breeder keen to understand what the word “German Shepherd” really means today.
Comparison of lines – Show line (or morphology)
This line really stood out in my opinion from the 1980s, gradually taking over in conformation competitions, with selection oriented towards subjective aesthetic criteria, often to the detriment of functionality.
A steeply sloping back, a lowered croup, excessively angulated hindquarters, and a very broad chest are not natural features in a dog originally bred for work. These traits have concrete consequences:
Too wide rib cage: by limiting flexibility and abdominal tone, it increases the risk of stomach twisting (dilation-torsion syndrome).
Shortened front legs, disproportionate to the hind legs: loss of functional balance, altered gait. Low and long croup, due to inharmonious femur/tibia proportions: this weakens the impulsion of the hind limbs, reduces the pushing force and sometimes promotes weakness of the lower back or hips. (This topic is developed here see The German Shepherd - The standard)
It is interesting to note that these lines, although often very far removed from the functional dog, are generally free of severe dysplasia thanks to rigorous selection on radiographic examinations at 15 months. This shows that dysplasia is not the prerogative of a line, but results from multiple factors, genetic and environmental, and that its presence or absence does not necessarily guarantee the functional quality of the dog, we will develop this aspect in a specific post (see Health - Dysplasia).
It is also worth noting that aesthetically the North American and European lines also differ in their interpretation of what a dog should look like.
Comparison of lines – Working lines
On the other hand, working lines were developed to maintain or strengthen the German Shepherd's utilitarian qualities: agility, nervous stability, endurance, initiative, adaptability.
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Original lineage (until the 1940s)
It corresponds to Captain von Stephanitz's vision: a utilitarian, balanced, rustic dog, neither too big nor too heavy, capable of adapting to varied tasks (guard, herd, army, etc.). There was still a great genetic, morphological and chromatic diversity.
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West German Line (W-GSD))
After the war, this line became the main "working" reference under the aegis of the SV. It retained a certain respect for the morphological standard while emphasizing utilitarian selection tests (endurance, bite, obedience, stability in an urban environment, etc.).
In its best branches, it combines good hardiness with a versatile aptitude (service dog, sport, detection, etc.). Smaller, lighter, lively and agile dogs were preferred.
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East German Lineage (DDR)
Developed by the communist East German state for law enforcement and security services, this line is known for its exceptional hardiness, thick bones, broad head, and great emotional stability, strong guarding and protective instincts, and a dark coat is favored.
The selections were strict: unstable or unfit dogs were excluded from breeding, perfect health for the breeders, real-world testing, and demanding living conditions. Its bloodlines have been preserved intact to this day by some breeders, while others have chosen to mix them.
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Czech lineage
After World War II, Czechoslovakia also established its own breeding program to provide dogs useful to border guards and the police.
They had to meet demanding specifications, combining power, hardiness, strong guarding and predatory instincts. The dark and dense coat was also sought after. Its lines have been preserved intact to this day by some breeders, while others have chosen to mix them. Note that modern Czech lines have evolved considerably in character, due to selection focused on sport over the last thirty years, with the impact on the exacerbation of the prey instinct to the detriment of other instincts.
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Sport selection lineage (modern trend)
It is not a geographical line, but has become a real selection orientation, centered on results in canine sport (IGP, mondioring, RCI or even sporting herd...) and with the objective of producing dogs adapted to these disciplines and their evolution.
Particularly selected traits are physical qualities, explosiveness, athletic bite, prey instinct (to the detriment of defense and protection), concentration and motivation. There are various origins: western, eastern, Czech, mixed depending on the parents' results.
While some are very complete, the modern trend tends to produce, in my opinion, psychological and even physical fragility, linked to the intensity of the work and the too narrow selection, but also to the living conditions of these breeders intended for the sports fields. Moreover, it is often confused, the capacity of the trainer and his team and the innate potential of the dog: a good trainer can win competitions with a mediocre dog, the reverse is not true.
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Utility dog lines
Some breeders still prefer to use breeding dogs that have proven themselves in the field, as police dogs, rescue dogs, herding dogs, security dogs, family protection dogs or even property guard dogs, each showing one of the facets that the German Shepherd offers.
