why the D in GSD

[GsdLoverr729]

Actually, I usually do say German shepherd dog

Maybe I'm weird for it. I don't really care That's just how I say it and type it, because that's what the translation is.

[Ken Clean-Air System]

Originally Posted by Liesje

It's Deutsche Schaeferhund, so the translation to GSD is accurate. Who knows why it caught on? But that's what it's always been called.

Well, except for that period of time after World War 2 when the breed was rechristened 'Alsatian' by the AKC.

At any rate, German Shepherd Dog is the official name of the breed as used by the AKC, and every other English speaking dog registry that I am aware of.

[Mrs.K]

Take it from a German.

Deutscher Schaeferhund = DSH (yes, that is the actual abbreviation)
German Shepherd Dog = GSD

[Whiteshepherds]

German shepherd - human
German Shepherd Dog - canine

[Mrs.K]

Originally Posted by Whiteshepherds

German shepherd - human
German Shepherd Dog - canine

[Castlemaid]

Originally Posted by Whiteshepherds

German shepherd - human
German Shepherd Dog - canine

Basically, that is it! Not very likely to run into ranchers who raise large flocks of sheep, and who are of German nationality here in North America, so it does seem redundant, but in Germany, around the time of WWI, there were probably a lot of people making their living as shepherds. So a distinction needed to be made. (or so, I assume ).

[Mikelia]

As stated - it is the official name for the breed. You don't call English bulldogs English bulls do you? Karelian bear dog, old English sheepdog, canaan dog, canadian or american eskimo dog. Just so happens that the word 'dog' is part of their official breed name.

[Sunflowers]

I read that the dog was bred to be capable of handling the herd by himself, without needing a human.

So rather than a sheep dog, they named the breed a shepherd dog.

[Magwart]

OT, but this thread got me thinking that it's curious that Americans/Brits didn't translate "Dachshund" to rename that breed "Badger Dogs."

[x11]

what Magwart said