On the 3rd and 4th of October, starting at 09.30h, Motril will host a dog show dedicated exclusively to German Shepherds or Alsatians, if you prefer.

The event, which will be held in the Polideportivo Municipal Emilio Hidalgo, has been organised by the Delegación Andaluza del Real Club de España del Perro Pastor Alemán (Real CEPPA) with the collaboration of the Town Hall, obviously.

“German Shepherds are strong animals, docile and faithful, This show is going to attract dogs of great beauty,” said the club Vice-Chairman, Salvador Morón.

By the way, are Alsatians and German Shepherd dogs the same thing? Yes they are, although some argue that they differ in colour and even bone structure and size.

The fact is that both the Germans and the British used this breed of dog during the Great War, but the British didn’t like using the terminology ‘German’ so they referred to them as Alsatians (from Alsace Lorraine) where they were bogged down in trench warfare. The Americans didn’t have the same reservations as their British allies had and always referred to them as them German Shepherd Dogs.

It wasn’t until 1977 after an intense campaign that dog breeders got the original ‘German Shepherd Dog’ back into use.

(News: Motril, Costa Tropical, Granada, Andalucia)