ðɛɹ hɐvbɪn stˈeɪtmənts ðæt sˌʌm ʌvðɪ ˈɜːli pɹˈiːdʒˈɜːmən ʃˈɛpɚdz wɜː pˈɑːɹt wˈʊlf, ɔːlðˈoʊ ðiːz hɐvbɪn ɹᵻdʒˈɛktᵻd baɪ vˈɑːn stˈɛfɐnˌɪts, hˌuː fˈaʊnd sˈʌtʃ klˈeɪmz ʌnlˈaɪkli dˈuː tə ðə dˈɑːɡz bˈɪld, fɹˈɛndli nˈeɪtʃɚ, lˈʌv ʌv tʃˈɪldɹən, ænd oʊbˈiːdiənt kˌæɹɪktɚɹˈɪstɪks.
There have been statements that some of the early pre-German Shepherds were part wolf, although these have been rejected by von Stephanitz, who found such claims unlikely due to the dogs' build, friendly nature, love of children, and obedient characteristics.