Max von Stephanitz quotes:

The most striking features of the correctly bred German Shepherds are firmness of nerves, attentiveness, unshockability, tractability, watchfulness, reliability and incorruptibility together with courage, fighting tenacity and hardness.

The breeder can indeed lay the foundations of a good and serviceable dog but the trainer must see to it that he brings to their highest possible development, the physical and mental foundations already laid and thus his is the more grateful task.

The good Shepherd dog knows his master almost better than himself and must wonder indeed at the lack of the reverse.

Whoever can find the answer to this question: "How can I say this to my dog" has already won the game.

Utility is the true criterion of beauty.

The breeding of shepherd dogs is the breeding of working dogs; and this must always be the aim, or we shall cease to produce shepherd dogs.