Definition

Noun: 1. A breed of large working dog: A German Shepherd Dog is a specific breed of dog originally developed in Germany for herding sheep. It is characterized by its intelligence, strength, loyalty, and versatility. These dogs are commonly employed in police and military work, as service animals for the disabled, and as search-and-rescue dogs.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The police officer was accompanied by a highly trained German Shepherd Dog.
  • A German Shepherd Dog can be an excellent guide for a blind person.
  • We are considering getting a German Shepherd Dog as a family pet.

Advanced Usage

• "German Shepherd Dog" vs. "German Shepherd": While often used interchangeably in casual conversation, "German Shepherd Dog" is the official breed name recognized by kennel clubs like the American Kennel Club (AKC). "German Shepherd" can refer to the dog breed or, in a different context, to a person from Germany.
  • The AKC registers this breed as the German Shepherd Dog. (Referring specifically to the canine breed standard.)

Variants and Related Words

• German Shepherd (n): A common shortened form for "German Shepherd Dog."
• Alsatian (n): A historical name for the breed, primarily used in the UK and some Commonwealth countries.
• GSD (n): A common initialism for German Shepherd Dog.
• Shepherd dog (n): A general term for any dog bred or trained to herd sheep. The German Shepherd Dog is one specific type of shepherd dog.

Synonyms

• Working dog: A general term for dogs bred to perform tasks, such as herding, guarding, or assisting humans.
• Police dog / K-9: Terms often used when referring to a German Shepherd Dog employed in law enforcement, though other breeds can also serve in this role.

Related Phrases

• To work as a [service/search/police] dog: This phrase describes the common roles for this breed.
  • Many German Shepherd Dogs work as search and rescue dogs.

Noun

1. breed of large shepherd dogs used in police work and as a guide for the blind