Horand von Grafrath

Recognised as the first German Shepherd Dog registered by Max von Stephanitz's developing breed organisation in 1899. He set the template for the working temperament and structure the breed was built around, and his influence runs through the entire modern breed.

Strongheart

One of the earliest internationally famous canine film stars. Found in France after the First World War and brought to America, Strongheart became a box-office success in the 1920s and helped shape the public image of the German Shepherd as noble, intelligent and devoted.

Rin Tin Tin

Rescued from a First World War battlefield as a puppy, Rin Tin Tin became one of cinema's most famous canine stars and is credited with helping establish the German Shepherd's worldwide popularity during Hollywood's early decades.

Buddy

The German Shepherd who guided Morris Frank in the United States and helped demonstrate the life-changing potential of trained guide dogs. Her work was an important early step in the modern assistance-dog movement.

Working dogs without famous names

Many of the breed's most important contributions came from dogs whose names never became famous: search dogs, police dogs, military dogs, guide dogs, assistance dogs, detection dogs, family dogs and rescue dogs.

Fame is not what makes a German Shepherd remarkable. Partnership is.