Published Nov 13, 2026 12:00 PM EST The German shepherd was originally bred to do exactly what their name implies, but a lot has changed since Max von Stephanitz introduced the breed in 1899. Today, the German shepherd is one of the world’s most recognizable and popular dogs, largely due to their intelligence, trainability, and companionship. You’re just as likely to spot one of them at an airport sniffing for contraband as you are at a kennel club competition.