The Spanierd is a hybrid dog. While he is not necessarily a rare hybrid dog, there is not a great deal of information regarding the origins of the hybrid. However, by studying the history of the parent breeds, we can learn more about the Spanierd. In Germany, a Captain Stephanitz worked to produce a responsive, obedient and handsome working dog - particularly one who would herd sheep - interbreeding local farm dogs from the area. In April 1899, Captain Stephanitz registered his dog Horan as the first German Shepherd Dog. He was touted as a sheep herding working dog, but as sheep herding was falling out of fashion, Stephanitz eventually presented his dogs to the German military, who gladly trained the breed for military and police work. Eventually, the German Shepherd was brought to the United States by Allied soldiers returning home from WWII. The German Shepherd was used in movie Rin-Tin-Tin, which contributed to his popularity in America. The ancestor of the Spaniel is thought to have been native to Spain - hence the name - then brought to other parts of Europe by trade ships. The first Spaniel was mentioned in Welsh artifacts nearly 2,000 years ago. Prior to the invention of the gun, the Spaniel was used to flush out birds or other small animals. Once the gun became widely used, the Spaniel still flushed game out in the open. The English Springer Spaniel was called such because of its method of hunting. The first English Springer Spaniel came to North America via Canada, and the breeder imported the first English Springer Spaniel into America in 1913. In 1923, the first English Springer Spaniel was registered by the American Kennel Club.
