The Phylax Society was formed in 1891 with the intention of creating standardized dog breeds in Germany. The society disbanded after only three years due to ongoing internal conflicts regarding the traits in dogs that the society should promoteWhile unsuccessful in their goal, the Phylax Society had inspired people to pursue standardizing dog breeds independently.

In 1899, Von Stephanitz was shown a dog named Hektor Linksrhein, a product of few generations of selective breeding. He believed this was what a working dog should be. So pleased with the strength of the dog and taken by the animal’s intelligence, loyalty, and beauty, the purchased him immediately. His name was changed to Horand von Grafrath and Von Stephanitz founded the Verein für Deutsche Schäferhunde (Society for the German Shepherd Dog).

The German Shepherd Dog is the AKC's 60th breed and was recognized in 1908. The first German Shepherd Dog registered in the United States was Queen of Switzerland. The GSD first arrived in Britain in the early part of the century around this time.

When the UK Kennel Club first accepted registrations for the breed in 1919, fifty-four dogs were registered, and by 1926 this number had grown to over 8,000. The breed first gained international recognition at the decline of World War I after returning soldiers spoke highly of the breed, and animal actors Rin Tin Tin and Strongheart popularized the breed further.

In Britain, and most of the Commonwealth, the breed was known as the Alsatian until 1977 when, after many years of campaigning by supporters of the breed who felt the correct name should be reinstated, it was changed back to the German Shepherd Dog.

One of the most versatile and talented breeds in the world today, the German Shepherd Dog has been valued in police work, tracking, guiding the blind, drug and bomb detection, search and rescue, herding, avalanche rescue and so much more.