The German Shepherd did not become "domesticated" at a single point in time. Instead, the breed was developed through selective breeding over several decades.
Here is a timeline of key events:
* Late 1800s: German breeders began selectively breeding working dogs for intelligence, herding skills, and loyalty to create a reliable, versatile working dog.
* 1899: The "Verein für Deutsche Schäferhunde" (German Shepherd Dog Club) was founded, officially establishing the breed standard.
* Early 1900s: The German Shepherd gained worldwide popularity as a working dog in police forces, military units, and as guide dogs.
While the breed had roots in working sheepdogs, it is more accurate to say the German Shepherd was developed through selective breeding rather than becoming domesticated. They are still considered a domesticated species, but the specific breed emerged through careful breeding over time.