|
The proper English name for the breed is
German Shepherd Dog (a literal translation from the German "Deutscher Scherhund") but they are usually informally referred to as
German Shepherd Dogs or simply
German Shepherds. Alsatian is also commonly used in the United Kingdom and countries of the Commonwealth of Nations (the reason for the alternative name is historical: during World Wars I and II, Germany was out of
favor in the UK and many German names were translated or anglicized). In addition, the sobriquet police dog is used in many countries where the
German Shepherd is the predominant or exclusive breed used in the canine police force.
|
