The American Alsatian, or Alsatian Shepalute, has been identified as a separate dog breed. Alsatians are very similar to German Shepherds, but they are not, although the German Shepherd was formerly known as the Alsatian in Britain. The American Alsatian is a rare breed of large companion dog bred to resemble the extinct Dire Wolf of the late Pleistocene, and it was developed using purebred Alaskan Malamutes, German Shepherds, English Mastiffs, Anatolian Shepherds, and Great Pyrenees. Check out our collection of American Alsatian dog names for your boy or girl puppies.