Interestingly enough this dog may not actually be a police dog as we know them today. German Shepherds were commonly referred to as German Police Dogs or even more simply Police Dogs due to their use in Europe as the ideal police dog.

When I was working as an archivist for a small town in Maryland, I was going through the record of dog registrations in the late '20s and several had been listed as Police Dog in the breed column.

I could get my dog to stay sat like that! A handsome creature, patiently waiting for the next command.

Here is one of several ads in the Washington, D.C., Evening Star, in the summer of 1920, this from June 13:

“The Occidental Stock Farm, Arlington, Va., offers for sale—German police dog puppies, highly pedigreed, out of prize-winning stock; eligible for registration; these puppies are of exceptional quality; price, $75 upward. English ragneck pheasants for sale; healthy and hardy young birds, $30 per pen of five. Thoroughbred Scotch collie puppies for sale; a fine, sturdy litter, $25 upward. Apply Gus Buchholz, Occidental Hotel, city.”

Still, "Gus Buchholz" would be a great name for a German Shepherd.

That German Shepherd is not about to bite. That's how German Shepherds look when they are trying to understand a new situation. I've had two female German Shepherds and they're always thinking. They're so smart it's scary.

Absolutely beautiful full ruff on him. And both hind feet set together so attentively! I've been the proud owner of 7 GSDs and each one was a loyal and intelligent companion.