Blondi profoundly distraught when he lost him. He had been given a German Shepherd before named "Prinz" in 1921, during his years of poverty, but he had been forced to lodge the dog elsewhere. However, she managed to escape and return to him. Hitler, who adored the loyalty and obedience of the dog, thereafter developed a great liking for the breed. He also owned a German Shepherd called "Muckl". Before Blondi, Hitler had two German Shepherd dogs, a mother [born 1926] and daughter [born ca. 1930] – both named Blonda. In some photos taken during the 1930s the younger Blonda is
The German Shepherd Dog in Word and Picture for German Shepherd Dogs) in 1932. This was followed in 1950, by a book with the abbreviated title in English, The German Shepherd Dog by Capt. von Stephanitz and also published by the Verein für deutsche Schäferhunde as the "8th Revised and Enlarged Edition". The first English Edition of The German Shepherd Dog in Word and Picture (1923) has been reprinted by Home Farm Books (2009) in hardcover () and paperback (). The second American Edition (1925) has been reprinted by Hoflin Publishing Ltd (1994) in hardcover (). Hoflin Publishing Ltd also reprinted the book as a "Deluxe Limited Edition"