Max von Stephanitz

Max von Stephanitz
Max von Stephanitz and Horand von Grafrath, c. 1900
Born
Max Emil Friedrich von Stephanitz

(1864-12-30)December 30, 1864
DiedApril 22, 1936(1936-04-22) (aged 71)
Military career
AllegianceGerman Empire German Empire
Branch
Cavalry
Rank
Captain
Other workDeveloped German Shepherd dog breed

Max Emil Friedrich von Stephanitz (30 December 1864 – 22 April 1936) was a German cavalry officer and dog breeder. He is credited with having developed the German Shepherd dog breed as it is currently known, set guidelines for the breed standard, and was the first president of the Verein für Deutsche Schäferhunde (S.V.).