What is the Difference Between German Shepherd and Alsatian?

The German Shepherd and Alsatian are the same breed of dog, and the differences in their names are primarily due to historical and regional preferences. Here are the key points to understand:

Origins: The German Shepherd, also known as the Alsatian, originated in Germany in the 1800s. It was first bred by Max von Stephanitz, who noticed the decline in the number of herding dogs.
Name Confusion: During World War I, the British and Germans used German Shepherds in their ranks. The British did not want to call the dog a "German Shepherd" due to the ongoing war, so they started referring to them as "Alsatians," which comes from the German-French border area of Alsace-Lorraine.
Post-War Changes: After the World Wars, it was deemed more politically correct to call them Alsatians instead of German Shepherds. However, the name of the breed changed in 1977, and the primary name became "German Shepherd". In the UK, the breed's name is still listed as Alsatian, with "German Shepherd" in brackets.
Current Usage: The American Kennel Club and some parts of Europe still use the name Alsatian, but "German Shepherd" has become the more commonly used name.

Despite the confusion between the names, it is essential to understand that both names refer to the same breed of dog.