Horand Von Grafrath was the first German Shepherd registered in Germany and is known as the Father of all German Shepherds. Horand Von Grafrath was a Wolf Grey (Sable) German Shepherd. Most of the people, picture in their minds, a German Shepherd with the traditional black & tan suit, but what they may not know, is that the original German Shepherd was a Wolf Grey (Sable) German Shepherd.

At the end of the Eighteen Century, a Military Officer of the German Army, Max Emil Frederich Von Stephanitz, had a vision in mind, a dream, to give life to the German Shepherd.

Stephanitz found, on a dog show, a grey dog of wolfish appearance, great temperament, and intelligence. The dog was the perfect model for the new dog he had on mind, the German Shepherd. Stephanitz bought the wolf grey dog, previously named Hector Linksrhein, and took him to Grafrath Kennels, and renamed him Horand Von Grafrath.

Stephanitz founded the German Shepherd Dog Club and registered Horand Von Grafrath as the first German Shepherd, and wrote the standard of the German Shepherd in accordance to the appearance of Horand Von Grafrath. The German Shepherd was now a reality.

Horand Von Grafrath became the father of all German Shepherds, and Stephanitz became the father of the German Shepherd breed.

Captain Stephanitz words of wisdom:

"Horand embodied for the enthusiasts of that time the fulfillment of their fondest dreams. He was big for that period, between 24" and 24 1/2", even for the present day a good medium size, with powerful frame, beautiful lines, and a nobly formed head. Clean and sinewy in build, the entire dog was one live wire. His character was on a par with his exterior qualities; marvelous in his obedient fidelity to his master, and above all else, the straightforward nature of a gentleman with a boundless zest for living. Although untrained in puppy hood, nevertheless obedient to the slightest nod when at his master's side; but when left to himself, the maddest rascal, the wildest ruffian and incorrigible provoker of strife. Never idle, always on the go; well disposed to harmless people, but no cringer, mad about children and always in love. What could not have been the accomplishments of such a dog if we, at that time, had only had military or police service training? His faults were the failings of his upbringing, never of his stock. He suffered from a superfluity of unemployed energy, for he was in Heaven when someone was occupied with him and was then the most tractable of dog."

Captain Max Von Stephanitz,
Originator of the breed.