The German Shepherd Dog
"The most striking feature of the correctly bred German Shepherd are firmness of nerves, attentiveness, unshockability, tractability, watchfulness, reliability and incorruptibility together with courage, fighting tenacity, and hardness."
~Captain Max von Stephanitz
The German Shepherd is quite possibly the most honest breed of dog the world has ever known. A well bred mentally sound German Shepherd is never an imposter. German Shepherds are the most versatile of all the breeds. They also stand apart from any other breed. They are intelligent and aware, the German Shepherd makes an excellent companion and protector.
A little history about the breed, During World War I, American soldiers stationed in Europe witnessed first hand the intelliegnece, physical ability and stamina demostrated by German Shepherds of Germany. Many of the american soldiers returned with a German Shepherd that they purchased in Europe. The success of those canine heroes had been highly recongized, thereby strengthening the popularity of the breed throughout the world. They were considered the number one dog for personal protection. The German Shepherd dog is more agile, graceful, quick and endowned with more stamina then quite possibly any other breed. In addtion, their ability to make split second decisions, outgoing temperament and loyalness are apart of the reason we love these dogs.
A little history about the breed, During World War I, American soldiers stationed in Europe witnessed first hand the intelliegnece, physical ability and stamina demostrated by German Shepherds of Germany. Many of the american soldiers returned with a German Shepherd that they purchased in Europe. The success of those canine heroes had been highly recongized, thereby strengthening the popularity of the breed throughout the world. They were considered the number one dog for personal protection. The German Shepherd dog is more agile, graceful, quick and endowned with more stamina then quite possibly any other breed. In addtion, their ability to make split second decisions, outgoing temperament and loyalness are apart of the reason we love these dogs.
German Vs. American
Technically, all German shepherds are descended from German dogs. For some dogs, you might have to go back fifty or sixty years to find the most recent dog registered with the Verein fűr Deutsche Schäferhunde (club for German shepherd dogs), or simply the SV. For others, you only need to see one of the parents to find the most recent import from Germany. But does this make a difference in the quality of the dog? It depends on what kind of German shepherd you are looking for and what qualities the breeder hopes to achieve by introducing certain dogs into their line.
German Imports
In Germany, German Shepherds are registered with the SV. The SV will not register any puppies from a litter unless both parents are registered with the SV and have proven that they are suitable for breeding. This organization places very strong emphasis on maintaining in their breeding dogs the qualities necessary to perform as working dogs. If a dog does not have the correct conformation and ability to work as a K-9, it will not be approved for breeding.
A German bred dog is similar to a working K-9 in that it is likely to be far too much for a novice owner to handle. Of course, even if you have the experience and training abilities to enjoy a German bred dog, most quality breeders in Germany are not likely to part with their well-bred dogs or puppies to a stranger in the United States. You will need to have references or make a trip to Germany yourself before you will be taken seriously, and even then you are not guaranteed a pup or an adult dog.
German Lines
Dogs that are said to be from German lines are American-bred dogs that have a lot of German blood in their parentage.
In terms of a German Shepherd’s pedigree, a breeder should be happy to relate what each dog’s German titles are, what they represent, and how each dog contributes to the breeder’s line.
German-bred dogs appear in the pedigrees of conformation, performance, and working-dog lines in the United States. Just because a dog has German-bred German Shepherds in his pedigree doesn’t necessarily make him a better dog. A quality shepherd is one that comes from generations of titled dogs with good health and excellent temperaments, and whose breeder is working to better the breed.
Technically, all German shepherds are descended from German dogs. For some dogs, you might have to go back fifty or sixty years to find the most recent dog registered with the Verein fűr Deutsche Schäferhunde (club for German shepherd dogs), or simply the SV. For others, you only need to see one of the parents to find the most recent import from Germany. But does this make a difference in the quality of the dog? It depends on what kind of German shepherd you are looking for and what qualities the breeder hopes to achieve by introducing certain dogs into their line.
German Imports
In Germany, German Shepherds are registered with the SV. The SV will not register any puppies from a litter unless both parents are registered with the SV and have proven that they are suitable for breeding. This organization places very strong emphasis on maintaining in their breeding dogs the qualities necessary to perform as working dogs. If a dog does not have the correct conformation and ability to work as a K-9, it will not be approved for breeding.
A German bred dog is similar to a working K-9 in that it is likely to be far too much for a novice owner to handle. Of course, even if you have the experience and training abilities to enjoy a German bred dog, most quality breeders in Germany are not likely to part with their well-bred dogs or puppies to a stranger in the United States. You will need to have references or make a trip to Germany yourself before you will be taken seriously, and even then you are not guaranteed a pup or an adult dog.
German Lines
Dogs that are said to be from German lines are American-bred dogs that have a lot of German blood in their parentage.
In terms of a German Shepherd’s pedigree, a breeder should be happy to relate what each dog’s German titles are, what they represent, and how each dog contributes to the breeder’s line.
German-bred dogs appear in the pedigrees of conformation, performance, and working-dog lines in the United States. Just because a dog has German-bred German Shepherds in his pedigree doesn’t necessarily make him a better dog. A quality shepherd is one that comes from generations of titled dogs with good health and excellent temperaments, and whose breeder is working to better the breed.
American-Bred
Quality American-bred German Shepherds can be from working, conformation, or performance lines or any combination of these. The dogs may have a lot of German influence or very little, and some don’t have any SV-registered dogs in at least the first three generations.
American breeders vary in opinion as to what the ideal German Shepherd is and how to achieve the “perfect” dog. In the United States, there are wide variations within the breed as far as conformation, working drive, activity level, and temperament.
Quality American-bred German Shepherds can be from working, conformation, or performance lines or any combination of these. The dogs may have a lot of German influence or very little, and some don’t have any SV-registered dogs in at least the first three generations.
American breeders vary in opinion as to what the ideal German Shepherd is and how to achieve the “perfect” dog. In the United States, there are wide variations within the breed as far as conformation, working drive, activity level, and temperament.
The German Shepherd Anatomy
General Appearance
The German Shepherd Dog is medium sized, slightly longer than tall, strong and well muscled, bone is dry, the whole dog presenting a picture of firmness.
Important Measurements
Height at the withers for males: 60 - 65 cm, bitches: 55 - 60 cm. Length of torso exceeds height at the withers by 10 - 17%.
Character
The German Shepherd should appear poised, calm, self confident, absolutely at ease, and (except when agitated) good natured, but also attentive and willing to serve. He must have courage, fighting drive, and hardness in order to serve as companion, watchdog, protection dog, service dog, and herding dog.
Head
The head is wedge-shaped and in harmony with the dog’s size (length app. 40% of height at the withers) without being coarse or overly long. The head should appear dry, and moderately wide between the ears. Seen from the front and side, the forehead is only slightly domed, the center furrow is either absent or only slightly visible. The length ratio of skull to face is 50 : 50%. Skull width approximately equals skull length. Seen from above, the skull slopes into a wedge-shaped muzzle. The stop should not be pronounced. Upper and lower jaws are strong, the bridge of the nose should be straight, not a Roman nose or dish-faced nose. Lips are taut, well closed and of dark color.
The Nose
The nose should be black.
Teeth
The teeth must be strong and complete in number (42 teeth as per formula). The German Shepherd has a scissor bite, where the upper incisors must meet the lower incisors in a scissor grip. Level bite, overshot and undershot teeth are faulty, as well as widely spaced teeth. A straight incisor tooth line is also faulty. Jawbones must be well developed, to permit deep rooting of the teeth in the gum.
The Eyes
The eyes are medium sized, almond-shaped, set slightly oblique and not protruding. The color should be as dark as possible
Ears
The German Shepherd has medium-sized, upright ears which are carried erect and perpendicular to one another, pointed and open to the front. Tipped ears and hanging ears are faulty. Laid-back ears are not faulty when the dog is in motion or resting.
Neck
The neck is strong, well-muscled, and clean cut (without folds of loose skin). The angle of neck to torso is approximately 45 degrees.
Body
The top line extends from the point where the neck meets the skull past the well developed withers and the gently downward sloping back to the slightly sloping croup without a visible break. The back is firm, strong, and well muscled. The loin is broad, well developed, and strongly muscled. The croup should be long and have a slight downward slope (approximately 23 degrees from horizontal) and should merge smoothly into the tail set.
Chest
The chest should be of moderate width, the underchest long and pronounced. Chest depth should be approximately 45 to 48% of height at the withers. The ribs should be moderately sprung. Barrel shaped or flat ribs are faulty.
Tail
The tail reaches at least to the hock joint, but not past the halfway point of the hock itself. The coat is slightly longer on the underside of the tail. The tail hangs in a soft, saber-like curve. When the dog is excited or in motion, the tail is somewhat raised, but should not reach past the horizontal line. Surgical corrections are not permitted.
Limbs
Forelegs
Seen from all sides, the forelegs are straight and absolutely parallel when viewed from the front.
Shoulder and upper arms are of equal length. Both are held snugly to the body by strong muscles. Angulation of shoulder blade to the upper arm ideally is 90 degrees, but up to 110 degrees is permissible.
Elbows may not turn out when the dog is standing or in motion or be pinched inward. The lower legs viewed from all sides are straight and absolutely parallel, dry, and well muscled. The pastern measures about 1/3 of the forearm length and is angled 20-22 degrees to the foreleg. Pasterns with an angle of more than 22 degrees or very steep pasterns (less than 20 degrees) reduce working capability especially, endurance.
Paws
The paws are rounded, tight, and arched. The soles are hard, but not brittle. The nails are strong and dark.
Hind Legs
The rear legs have a pronounced rounded knee or turn of stifle which projects the dog's rear quarter well behind the point of the pelvis. Seen from the rear, the hind legs are parallel to one another. Upper and lower thighs are of approximately the same length and form an angle of 120 degrees. Thighs are strong and well muscled.
The hock joint is strong and dry and the hock stands upright under the joint.
Paws
The paws are tight, slightly arched, the balls of the feet are hard and dark, nails strong, arched, and dark.
Gait
The German Shepherd is a trotting dog. Length and angulation of front and rear legs must be in proper proportion to one another to permit the dog to move the rear leg underneath the body, matching the reach of the rear legs with that of the front legs and at the same time, keeping the topline over the back relatively undisturbed. Any tendency for over-angulation of the rear reduces firmness and endurance of the dog and therefore, working capability. Correct body proportions and angulation result in a ground-covering gait which moves close to the ground and conveys the impression of effortless movement. With the head held slightly forward and the tail slightly lifted, the dog trotting evenly and smoothly, we see a softly moving topline which flows without interruption from neck to tail tip.
Skin
The skin covers the body loosely, but without folds.
Coat
Coat Characteristics
The correct coat for the German Shepherd is a stock coat (outer and under coat). The top coat should be as tight as possible, straight, coarse, and clinging closely to the undercoat. The head, including the inside of the ears, the front of the legs, the paws, and toes have short hair. Neck hair is longer and thicker. On the rear side of the legs, hair length increases downward to the pastern and hock. The rear of the thighs is covered show moderate "pants".
Pigment
Black with reddish brown, brown, tan to light-grey markings. Solid black, grey with darker overcast, black saddle and mask. Inconspicuous small white chest markings, as well as lighter pigment on the inside of the legs is permitted, but not desirable. All dogs, no matter what their color, must have black noses.
Missing mask, light to white markings on the chest and inner leg sides, light toenails, and a red tail tip are signs of faulty pigmentation. Undercoat has a slight grey cast. White is not permissible.
Size/Weight
Males: Height at the wither 60 cm to 65 cm
Weight 30 kg to 40 kg.
Females: Height at the wither 55 cm to 60 cm
Weight 22 kg - 32 kg
Testicles
Visual inspection must show two normally developed testicles fully descended into the scrotum.
Faults
Any deviations from the above listed points are considered faults. Points deducted must be in accordance with severity of the deviation.
The German Shepherd Dog is medium sized, slightly longer than tall, strong and well muscled, bone is dry, the whole dog presenting a picture of firmness.
Important Measurements
Height at the withers for males: 60 - 65 cm, bitches: 55 - 60 cm. Length of torso exceeds height at the withers by 10 - 17%.
Character
The German Shepherd should appear poised, calm, self confident, absolutely at ease, and (except when agitated) good natured, but also attentive and willing to serve. He must have courage, fighting drive, and hardness in order to serve as companion, watchdog, protection dog, service dog, and herding dog.
Head
The head is wedge-shaped and in harmony with the dog’s size (length app. 40% of height at the withers) without being coarse or overly long. The head should appear dry, and moderately wide between the ears. Seen from the front and side, the forehead is only slightly domed, the center furrow is either absent or only slightly visible. The length ratio of skull to face is 50 : 50%. Skull width approximately equals skull length. Seen from above, the skull slopes into a wedge-shaped muzzle. The stop should not be pronounced. Upper and lower jaws are strong, the bridge of the nose should be straight, not a Roman nose or dish-faced nose. Lips are taut, well closed and of dark color.
The Nose
The nose should be black.
Teeth
The teeth must be strong and complete in number (42 teeth as per formula). The German Shepherd has a scissor bite, where the upper incisors must meet the lower incisors in a scissor grip. Level bite, overshot and undershot teeth are faulty, as well as widely spaced teeth. A straight incisor tooth line is also faulty. Jawbones must be well developed, to permit deep rooting of the teeth in the gum.
The Eyes
The eyes are medium sized, almond-shaped, set slightly oblique and not protruding. The color should be as dark as possible
Ears
The German Shepherd has medium-sized, upright ears which are carried erect and perpendicular to one another, pointed and open to the front. Tipped ears and hanging ears are faulty. Laid-back ears are not faulty when the dog is in motion or resting.
Neck
The neck is strong, well-muscled, and clean cut (without folds of loose skin). The angle of neck to torso is approximately 45 degrees.
Body
The top line extends from the point where the neck meets the skull past the well developed withers and the gently downward sloping back to the slightly sloping croup without a visible break. The back is firm, strong, and well muscled. The loin is broad, well developed, and strongly muscled. The croup should be long and have a slight downward slope (approximately 23 degrees from horizontal) and should merge smoothly into the tail set.
Chest
The chest should be of moderate width, the underchest long and pronounced. Chest depth should be approximately 45 to 48% of height at the withers. The ribs should be moderately sprung. Barrel shaped or flat ribs are faulty.
Tail
The tail reaches at least to the hock joint, but not past the halfway point of the hock itself. The coat is slightly longer on the underside of the tail. The tail hangs in a soft, saber-like curve. When the dog is excited or in motion, the tail is somewhat raised, but should not reach past the horizontal line. Surgical corrections are not permitted.
Limbs
Forelegs
Seen from all sides, the forelegs are straight and absolutely parallel when viewed from the front.
Shoulder and upper arms are of equal length. Both are held snugly to the body by strong muscles. Angulation of shoulder blade to the upper arm ideally is 90 degrees, but up to 110 degrees is permissible.
Elbows may not turn out when the dog is standing or in motion or be pinched inward. The lower legs viewed from all sides are straight and absolutely parallel, dry, and well muscled. The pastern measures about 1/3 of the forearm length and is angled 20-22 degrees to the foreleg. Pasterns with an angle of more than 22 degrees or very steep pasterns (less than 20 degrees) reduce working capability especially, endurance.
Paws
The paws are rounded, tight, and arched. The soles are hard, but not brittle. The nails are strong and dark.
Hind Legs
The rear legs have a pronounced rounded knee or turn of stifle which projects the dog's rear quarter well behind the point of the pelvis. Seen from the rear, the hind legs are parallel to one another. Upper and lower thighs are of approximately the same length and form an angle of 120 degrees. Thighs are strong and well muscled.
The hock joint is strong and dry and the hock stands upright under the joint.
Paws
The paws are tight, slightly arched, the balls of the feet are hard and dark, nails strong, arched, and dark.
Gait
The German Shepherd is a trotting dog. Length and angulation of front and rear legs must be in proper proportion to one another to permit the dog to move the rear leg underneath the body, matching the reach of the rear legs with that of the front legs and at the same time, keeping the topline over the back relatively undisturbed. Any tendency for over-angulation of the rear reduces firmness and endurance of the dog and therefore, working capability. Correct body proportions and angulation result in a ground-covering gait which moves close to the ground and conveys the impression of effortless movement. With the head held slightly forward and the tail slightly lifted, the dog trotting evenly and smoothly, we see a softly moving topline which flows without interruption from neck to tail tip.
Skin
The skin covers the body loosely, but without folds.
Coat
Coat Characteristics
The correct coat for the German Shepherd is a stock coat (outer and under coat). The top coat should be as tight as possible, straight, coarse, and clinging closely to the undercoat. The head, including the inside of the ears, the front of the legs, the paws, and toes have short hair. Neck hair is longer and thicker. On the rear side of the legs, hair length increases downward to the pastern and hock. The rear of the thighs is covered show moderate "pants".
Pigment
Black with reddish brown, brown, tan to light-grey markings. Solid black, grey with darker overcast, black saddle and mask. Inconspicuous small white chest markings, as well as lighter pigment on the inside of the legs is permitted, but not desirable. All dogs, no matter what their color, must have black noses.
Missing mask, light to white markings on the chest and inner leg sides, light toenails, and a red tail tip are signs of faulty pigmentation. Undercoat has a slight grey cast. White is not permissible.
Size/Weight
Males: Height at the wither 60 cm to 65 cm
Weight 30 kg to 40 kg.
Females: Height at the wither 55 cm to 60 cm
Weight 22 kg - 32 kg
Testicles
Visual inspection must show two normally developed testicles fully descended into the scrotum.
Faults
Any deviations from the above listed points are considered faults. Points deducted must be in accordance with severity of the deviation.
Angulations: The angles at which bones of shoulder and upper arm meet at the shoulder joint, and those of upper and lower thigh meet at the knee joint.
AKC: American Kennel Club.
http://www.akc.org/
CKC: Canadian Kennel Club.
http://www.ckc.ca/en/
Washed out: Marked palling of color and pigment in nose and nail.
Monorchid: A dog possessing one testicle.
Bloodline: Animals sharing a specific familly relationship over several generations.
SV: Schaferhund Verein, GSD Society of West Germany.
Sable: A gray, brown or fawn foundation color with black- shaded guard hairs. (Wolf like colorings).
Korung: German breed survey to select animals for breeding. Class 1 animals recommended, Class 2 animals suitable.
KK1: Korklasse, survey class.
Inbreeding: Deliberate mating together of close relatives.
High withered: When the area where the neck runs into the back is definite, long and well filled in with muscle over the vertebrae between the shoulder blades, and slopes into the back, rather than being on the same horizontal with it (flat-withered).
Dew claws: Additional toes on inside of the leg above the foot and making no contact with ground. Many puppies are born without them on the rear legs.
Cow hocked: The dog stands and moves with the point of hock turned inwards.
Croup: The pelvis together with covering of muscle and coat.
Entire: Having both testicles in the scrotum.
TT: Temperament Tested.
TC: Temperament Certified.
OFA: Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (Hip Certification in U.S.).
OVC: Ontario Veterinary College (Hip Certification in Canada).
CGC: The dog has a Canine Good Citizen certificate.
Penn HIP: Developed at University of Pennsylvania (USA) The procedure measures hip joint laxity; it does not grade a passing or failing score. Loose hips are more prone to developing degenerative joint disease. (See OVC, OFA, "a stamp").
SV Verein für Deutsche Schäferhunde: (German Shepherd Dog Club) The original GSD breed club and breed registry, based in Germany.
TSB Triebveranlagung: fighting drive.
ZW Zuchtwert: ZW-value - Zuchtwert evaluation - is a Breed Value Assessment - a number assigned that gives an indication of the genotype of the dog for breeding purposes.
KKLI: Korklasse I, Breed surveyed recommended to breeding- Koer Class rating which states that the dog has been breed surveyed and found to be breeding quality.
KKLII: Korklasse II, Breed surveyed suitable for breeding.
AKC: American Kennel Club.
http://www.akc.org/
CKC: Canadian Kennel Club.
http://www.ckc.ca/en/
Washed out: Marked palling of color and pigment in nose and nail.
Monorchid: A dog possessing one testicle.
Bloodline: Animals sharing a specific familly relationship over several generations.
SV: Schaferhund Verein, GSD Society of West Germany.
Sable: A gray, brown or fawn foundation color with black- shaded guard hairs. (Wolf like colorings).
Korung: German breed survey to select animals for breeding. Class 1 animals recommended, Class 2 animals suitable.
KK1: Korklasse, survey class.
Inbreeding: Deliberate mating together of close relatives.
High withered: When the area where the neck runs into the back is definite, long and well filled in with muscle over the vertebrae between the shoulder blades, and slopes into the back, rather than being on the same horizontal with it (flat-withered).
Dew claws: Additional toes on inside of the leg above the foot and making no contact with ground. Many puppies are born without them on the rear legs.
Cow hocked: The dog stands and moves with the point of hock turned inwards.
Croup: The pelvis together with covering of muscle and coat.
Entire: Having both testicles in the scrotum.
TT: Temperament Tested.
TC: Temperament Certified.
OFA: Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (Hip Certification in U.S.).
OVC: Ontario Veterinary College (Hip Certification in Canada).
CGC: The dog has a Canine Good Citizen certificate.
Penn HIP: Developed at University of Pennsylvania (USA) The procedure measures hip joint laxity; it does not grade a passing or failing score. Loose hips are more prone to developing degenerative joint disease. (See OVC, OFA, "a stamp").
SV Verein für Deutsche Schäferhunde: (German Shepherd Dog Club) The original GSD breed club and breed registry, based in Germany.
TSB Triebveranlagung: fighting drive.
ZW Zuchtwert: ZW-value - Zuchtwert evaluation - is a Breed Value Assessment - a number assigned that gives an indication of the genotype of the dog for breeding purposes.
KKLI: Korklasse I, Breed surveyed recommended to breeding- Koer Class rating which states that the dog has been breed surveyed and found to be breeding quality.
KKLII: Korklasse II, Breed surveyed suitable for breeding.
Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA)
http://www.offa.org/index.html
HIP Certifications-the “a” stamp is required for a dog to pass a breed survey.
“a” normal-certified normal hips
“a” fast normal-certified near normal hips
“a”-noch zugelassen-still permissible
OFA / FCI (European) / BVA (UK/Australia) / SV (Germany)
Excellent A-1 0-4 (no > 3/hip) Normal
Good A-2 5-10 (no > 6/hip) Normal
Fair B-1 11-18 Normal
Borderline B-2 19-25 Fast Normal
Mild C 26-35 Noch Zugelassen
Moderate D 36-50 Mittlere
Severe E 51-106 Schwere
http://www.offa.org/index.html
HIP Certifications-the “a” stamp is required for a dog to pass a breed survey.
“a” normal-certified normal hips
“a” fast normal-certified near normal hips
“a”-noch zugelassen-still permissible
OFA / FCI (European) / BVA (UK/Australia) / SV (Germany)
Excellent A-1 0-4 (no > 3/hip) Normal
Good A-2 5-10 (no > 6/hip) Normal
Fair B-1 11-18 Normal
Borderline B-2 19-25 Fast Normal
Mild C 26-35 Noch Zugelassen
Moderate D 36-50 Mittlere
Severe E 51-106 Schwere
