Our aim is to promote the creation and recognition of a breed of dog to be called The Alsatian.

As you are probably aware, for many years the German Shepherd dog was known as the Alsatian in the UK. This was simply because after World War I it was believed that having ‘German’ in its name would be detrimental to the breed and thus it was renamed the Alsatian Wolf Dog. The Wolf Dog part was dropped as it too was thought to be detrimental. The name ‘Alsatian’ stuck and has been used extensively since then. More recently the Kennel Club (KC) decided to revert to the original name of German Shepherd Dog (GSD). It may be coincidence that they did so at a time when the relationship between the KC and a collection of GSD breed clubs was fraught over conditions that the KC were seeking to impose on the breed, particularly in regard to the conformation of the dog.

 It is a simple matter of fact that from about 1925 to the 1970s the dogs had pretty much the same outline and build. This is simply demonstrated by examining photographs of the ‘top’ dogs (Siegers) in Germany in each year. However, in the 1970s there was change of appearance of the dog largely due to the influence of a cabal of breeders who dominated the SV (Verein für Deutsche Schäferhunde - Society for the German Shepherd Dog). 

The change in shape of the dog has become progressively more exaggerated over the following years, with the result that there are now basically two seperate shapes, both being shown as German Shepherds. This situation has become farcical, as can be seen by show entries. Each distinct type can be found at separate shows and it is rare that either type will be entered for judging if the judge is believed to favour the other type.

The division is now so entrenched that it is rare for breeders of either type to recognise good qualities in the other type and, indeed, it is commonplace that disparaging remarks are frequently made by breeders of the one type about the other in public, especially on Internet forums, Facebook and Twitter.

We believe that the situation is now untenable and that the only way forward is for the two sides to completely seperate. Our proposal, in short, is that the German Shepherd remains as the breed name for those dogs which are in the current majority e.g. those of the SV type. The dogs that adhere to the original look of the breed will adopt the name ‘Alsatian’ and a new breed will be established for dogs that conform to that type. For those that think this is unrealistic we would direct you to the division in the Belgian Sheepdog where three separate breeds have been created from one genetically identical breed.

The main reason for this campaign is to do with the health of the dog which is severely affected by the curvature of the spine in those dogs which exhibit a "banana" back. This was primarily brought to the attention of the general public in the TV programme "Pedigree Dogs Exposed" where dogs with curved backs were seen with wobbly hocks. Veterinary investigations have shown that this condition is not related to hip scores but is, in fact, caused by malformation in the lumbar-sacral region of the dog's spine.

There was outrage at the Best of Breed at Crufts apparently being chosen as not conforming to the standard that the Kennel Club publish in regard to the topline of the dog which should be straight from withers to croup. This makes a mockery of the Kennel Club's insistence that it promotes health in this breed. We call upon the Kennel Club to engage in sensible discussions about rectifying this situation by recognising the creation of a new breed, derived from the German Shepherd, which actually conforms to the ideals that were originally intended for the breed.