SV Breed Survey
Körordnung (SV Breed Survey Rules) in English Translation © by Fred Lanting
2009 revision of Körordnung (previous version was 2007, and 1997 before that). Changes highlighted.
Körordnung Fassung 2009 Augsburg-Hauptgeschäftsstelle — Inhaltsübersicht
2009 edition/revision
1. General
2. SV– Nature of the survey
2.1 Köramt (HQ survey office)
2.2 The Körmeister (breed survey master)
2.3 Survey administration — regional club jurisdiction
2.4 Körzeit (Time of survey)
2.5 Legal issues
3. Requirements for breed survey participation
4. Activity & conduct of the local clubs, and…
Duties of the Kör (survey) manager
4.1. Requirements for the local club
4.2. Equipment
4.3. Survey manager’s duties
5. Registering for the breed survey
6. At the survey (Ankörung)
6.1 Temperament test
6.2 Gunsureness test
6.3 Protection [courage] test
6.4 Measurements: heights, weights, etc.
6.5 Standing exam and movement evaluation
6.6 Reports, Confirmations
7. Körung (the survey)
7.1 Körklasse 1
7.2 Körklasse 2
7.3 Final Körklasse (re-survey)
7.4 Postponement of re-survey — one year
7.5 Unsuitability for the Körung
7.6 Lifetime or length of time Körung is effective
7.7 Completion of the breed survey
8. Survey certificates and survey record book
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1. General
The Verein für Deutsche Shäferhunde (SV) e.V. [Club for GSDs Inc.] is the parent club for the breed, and has responsibility for it and its Standard, which is acknowledged by the German (VDH) and international (FCI) Kennel Clubs. The Körordnung [breed survey regulations] of the SV serve the advancement of the controlled breeding of the German Shepherd Dog race in both varieties: the “Stockhaar” (straight-haired, medium length topcoat) and the “Langstockhaar” (longer topcoat but also with undercoat), and regulate the overall breed survey. They are a permanent part of the SV rules, and obligatory for all members. The purpose of the Körordnung is to select from the breed registry a number of dogs which in their character, performance, and anatomical construction appear to be suitable for the conservation and improvement of the breed.
2. SV – Nature of the survey
2.1 Köramt (survey office)
The Kör (survey) office prepares the annual survey scheme (deadlines, reporting local chapters, acting Körmeisters, survey regions, etc.). All evaluation reports from the various survey districts are recorded in that office, and are examined and documented for form and accuracy. The Köramt produces the survey certificates and annually publishes all surveyed dogs in the Körbuch (survey record book).
2.2 The Körmeister (breed survey master)
For the implementation of the breed survey the SV requires an experienced conformation judge as Körmeister. The Körmeisters have no legal right to annual employment in breed surveys. The choice and employment of the Körmeister is done by the respective Landesgruppe (region). The jurisdiction of arranging for these teacher-helpers for the breed surveys lies with each Landesgruppe’s executive committee.
2.3 Survey administration — regional club jurisdiction
The regional and/or local jurisdiction of the breed survey shall be delegated from the SV headquarters to the SV regions and/or local chapters.
2.4 Time of survey
The survey season [in Germany] extends from the 1st of March to the 30th of November each year. The presentation of a dog for the breed survey is possible once in this period.
2.5 Legal issues
2.5.1 The owner of a dog scheduled for the survey’s tests must be a current member of the SV. The eligibility of the dog ends with the withdrawal of the owner’s membership in the club.
2.5.2 Survey jurisdiction
The location of the dog’s residence determines which breed survey it participates in (where the Körung is performed); that is, in the owner’s region (Landesgruppe). Local club (Ortsgruppe) membership determines which region that is. If a person holds membership in several local clubs, regional membership is determined by the main place of residence. Members who belong to no local clubs are assigned to a region based on principal place of residence. Breed survey masters (Körmeisters) are free to choose or approve of Körung locations in all regional groups.
2.5.3 A dog that is the property of a person listed as being permanently barred/suspended from the studbook can neither be shown in a breed survey by him personally nor by any other person.
2.5.4 The decision of the acting Körmeister is final. An objection against it is not permitted. 2.5.5 At the survey of a dog, any and all damage claims by any party involved (owner and/or outsider) resulting from an Ankörung- (conformation measurement/survey) decision or an Abkörungsentscheidung (performance) decision regarding any dog will explicitly not be allowed.
2.5.6 Responsibility: The owner of a dog is responsible for any damage attributable to his dog.
3. Requirements for participation at breed surveys [see note below re Körung in Germany]
- The Körung is appropriate only for German Shepherd Dogs registered in the breed book of the SV, and which have coats classified as “Stockhaar” or “Langstockhaar mit Unterwolle” (translation: “straight topcoat hair” or “long straight topcoat” — both requiring wooly undercoat). In the year of the Körung they must be at least two years old;
- Proof at least a SchH-1 or IP-1 Prüfung (test) under an SV Leistungsrichter (performance judge); including at least 80 points in section C, the courage and protection phase;
- Proof of an AD examination under an SV judge;
- “a”-stamp for hips, shown in the Ahnentafel [certified SV pedigree. Translator’s note: an equivalent issued in another country where the dog resides is satisfactory];
- ED stamp for elbows also in the Ahnentafel (if born after 01.01.2004, required starting in the 2008 show season);
- Proof of a minimum quality evaluation of “Good” under an SV judge.
Further conditions:
- Sick dogs may not be shown;
- The Körmeister must be informed of bitches in season; this determines when that dog will participate;
- The dog must be identifiable in regard to a legible tattoo, microchip reading, etc.
4. Activity of the local clubs
4.1 Requirements of the local club:
- Large training ground with ancillary premises and sanitary facilities
- Trained members in sufficient number
- Typewriter or word processor.
4.2 The club must have or obtain:
- Assistant/steward and typist/secretary for the Körmeister
- Sufficiently large ring
- Public address system
- SV-approved measuring devices [for height at withers and depth of chest]
- Tape measure
- Weight scale
- 2 starter’s pistols with sufficient ammunition
- Number vests for the dog handlers.
4.3 Duties and responsibilities of the Körung manager:
- Timely delivery of the registration forms
- Examination of documents for completeness and accuracy
- Information given to the Körmeisters regarding the receipt and standing of the entries
- Establishing a catalog-like list of contestants and their dogs and bitches, for repeat and new breed surveys
- Submission of the individual dogs’ examined documents to the Körmeister before the beginning of the breed survey
- Confirmation of entrants’ SV memberships
5. Registering for the breed survey
The entry for the breed survey has to be received by the local Kör managers at least seven days before the scheduled survey as indicated in the survey announcement and entry form. By the day of the breed survey at the latest, the following documents are to be presented:
1. Original Ahnentafel [SV pedigree and performance record]
2. Conformation show cards and scorebook
3. If at the repeat survey, the first survey’s certificate
4. Proof of completion of any specified requirements remaining from the first survey
The maximum number of dogs admitted for one breed survey day is 50. In case of an entry of more than 50 dogs a further survey day (or half-day) is to be added on the same weekend. [In practice, preference is normally given to dogs going for their Lebenzeit (second and lifetime) survey.]
6. At the survey (Ankörung)
6.1 Temperament test
Each dog is to be subjected a temperament test by the Körmeister. The examination of the dog’s character can be made during the over-all breed survey. According to the Standard, the dog has stable character, i.e., in particular he is impartial and unaffected, self-assured, with firm nerves, and amiable and peaceful.
6.2 Gunsureness test
From a distance of at least 15 steps, at least two shots are to be fired from a starter’s pistol (6 mm or .22 caliber); the dog has to behave indifferently [is not bothered, cowed, or nervous because of it; joyfully expecting to do bitework, such as when a whip is cracked with similar sound, is O.K.].
6.3 Protection/Courage test [this rule version effective since 1997]
To help in the protection phase of trials in his Landesgruppe, the Körmeister is available as a teacher-assistant.
Conduct:
I. The attack from the blind
1. The handler reports with his accompanying dog to the Körmeister.
2. On order from the Körmeister the dog handler takes 30 steps from a place marked as the starting position toward the hiding-place, with his dog off leash.
3. The leash is draped around the handler or put in his pocket.
4. On command from the Körmeister the dog handler proceeds, with his dog heeling off-lead, in the direction of the hidden helper.
5. The dog should heel tightly.
6. On command from the Körmeister, the helper comes out of the blind and undertakes an attack as if to drive off the dog handler and dog, or he may initiate this himself if the dog or dog and handler are found to be 5 steps from the hiding-place.
7. The dog must immediately, surely, and energetically fend off the attack by applying a firm and full-mouth grip.
8. When the dog has grasped, it receives from the helper two blows with a padded stick upon thighs, sides, or the area of the withers.
9. To encourage the dog’s defense against the attack, encouragement by the dog handler is allowed.
10. Upon command from the Körmeister, the helper discontinues the attack and stands still quietly.
11. The dog then (independently or on the audible signal “Aus!”) must let go and [appear to] hold the helper “spellbound” [by its gaze and perhaps barking a warning not to move].
12. The dog handler is given the order from the Körmeister to approach his dog.
13. He leashes his dog and receives the order from the Körmeister to step into a certain hiding-place [momentarily, to prepare for the next attack].
II. Defense of an attack from a distance
1. The handler is called out from the hiding-place by the Körmeister and goes with his dog to the assigned position [at a central place at one end of the field].
2. The dog is taken off-leash and may be firmly held by the collar.
3. The dog has to be restrained in this position, until it is later sent with the audible command “Voran!” in the defense of the next attack.
4. The helper leaves his hiding-place upon a signal from the Körmeister, and crosses, at a normal pace, to approximately 70 to 80 steps distance from the dog handler.
5. The dog handler yells something at the helper; for example, “Stay where you are!”
6. The helper disregards this warning, and commences a [running, threatening] frontal attack on the dog and handler.
7. As soon as this attack begins, the Körmeister immediately gives the dog handler the signal for their defense.
8. The dog handler immediately sets his dog in action with the audible signal “Voran!” and stands still.
9. The dog should very eagerly and energetically grab with a firm, full, sure, and steady grip in order to avert the attack [on its handler].
10. When the dog has gripped, the helper must give it a short pressing [threaten with the stick] without hitting and then, as instructed by the Körmeister, discontinue the struggle.
11. Thereupon, the dog must let go independently and/or on the audible signal “Aus!” and must hold the helper by threat.
12. Upon a signal from the Körmeister, the dog handler approaches his dog at a normal pace and in a direct way, and attaches the leash.
13. The dog handler heels his dog to the Körmeister, to report to him before being allowed to leave the field.
III. Identity control
Before the team departs from the field, the Körmeister [or an assistant] must note the registered tattoo number.
IV. The appraisal/evaluation
1. The release of the bite
1.1. After discontinuation of the helper’s attack, the dog should let go independently.
1.2. The dog handler can independently give the first voice command, “Aus!” after an appropriate time.
1.3. If the dog did not release after the first voice command, the dog handler receives the order or signal from the Körmeister for up to two further audible commands to let go of the sleeve.
1.4. When giving the “Aus!” command, the handler must stand steady, without otherwise directing the dog.
1.5. Should the name of the dog be used, that will be considered as a separate command to release [let go of the sleeve].
1.6. If the dog independently releases [“outs”] when being retrieved by the handler, this also can be considered as a legitimate release. The dog handler however must be at least five steps away from the dog.
1.7. If the dog, either independently or upon audible signals, properly outs in the first attack [from the blind] and also in the [long] attack “from ambush” it receives the official notation of lässt ab (“lets out”).
1.8. If this “out” does not happen, even if in only one case, the dog does not receive the notation of “lets out”.
1.9 The Kör evaluation is not awarded or publicized at that time [but is kept by the Körmeister until later].
1.10. The Körmeister stays relatively close to the dog handler during the entire courage test and closely observes the conduct of dog and handler until the conclusion when the dog is picked up.
2. Appraisal of the Triebveranlung, Selbstsicherheit und Belastbarkeit (TSB) [drive, self-confidence and ability to handle stress]
2.1 The overall rating for the courage test will be one of these graded evaluations: “pronounced”, “sufficient”, or “insufficient”.
2.2 Pronounced (Ausgeprägt): Self-confident, very eager, purposeful, with sure grasp and retention of the grip; no negative reactions to the blows; close and attentive watching in the guarding phase.
2.3 Sufficient [Present] (Vorhanden): A little restraint [or less eagerness], e.g., in the areas of self-confidence, determination, the grip, and reaction to the stick, as well as in the guarding phase.
2.4. Insufficient (Nicht genügend): Lacking in self-confidence, very limited concerning ability to handle stress, and/or lacking in focus on the helper.
I inserted the following three points here, even though they are not actually part of the Körung. Supplemental determinations for the courage test at the German Sieger Show (an addendum):
1. Two teacher-assistants from the Landesgruppen serve as aides for each courage test at the disposal of the Körmeister.
2. Announcement of the respective results is to be given over the microphone directly after completion of each courage test.
3. Upon completion of the courage test the tattoo control number is obtained [confirmed] by a judge authorized by the Körmeister. The judge will be made available by the Landesgruppe having jurisdiction.
6.4 Measurements and weights
The measurements for weight, depth of chest and chest diameter can be taken by the Körmeister or his authorized helper or Körung manager; the withers measurements are taken by the Körmeister.
6.5 Standing Exam and Movement Evaluation
During this inspection the Körmeister prepares the Körbericht (breed survey report). The dog is to be presented to him for this exam without substantial help [hand-posing, etc.].
6.6 Reports, Confirmations
After the conclusion of the respective breed survey of each dog, the Körmeister gives his report on the loudspeaker. The owner of the dog will receive from the Körung manager a confirmation signed by the Körmeister. This contains the results of the breed survey and the evidence that it and the pedigree will have been sent to the SV headquarters.
7. Körung
7.1 Körklasse 1 (Kkl-1)
The Körklasse-1 is the highest breed qualification, i.e., a classification of dogs that are recommended for breeding. In Kkl-1 will be the dog that corresponds to the image of the breed [meets the Standard]:
a) in height, weight, and anatomical construction;
b) in its entire conduct, i.e., self-assurance, calmness and expression, has “TSB”: pronounced attitude of drive, self-confidence and loading capacity [ability to handle pressure]; and has flawless, complete dentures, though double P-1 premolars are permissible.
7.2 Körklasse 2
Dogs included in the rating of Kkl-2:
a) with minor defects in the anatomical area;
b) with measurement over or under the limits of withers height by up to 1 cm;
c) with TSB fighting drive (Triebveranlagung), self-confidence (Selbstsicherheit), and ability to handle pressure (Belastbarkeit) in the courage test evaluated as being Vorhanden [“present” or “sufficient”];
d) missing: one P-1 premolar or an incisor; or two P-1s, or one P-1 and an incisor, or a P-2, or a slight off-bite (level, even, pincer bite) of the center incisors.
7.3 Final Körklasse (Re-survey)
The possibility exists for the owner of a dog given a Körklasse-2 in its first or subsequent Körung to have this upgraded (at the earliest, in the subsequent year) by the same Körmeister. A deviation is only permissible with consent of the Körmeister, who determines that the dog has made the improvement for the impending survey. The desired Körklasse upgrade from first or repeated survey is possible only one time.
7.4 The re-survey deferment (postponement) of one year is permissible if:
a) the body has not yet developed as expected in order to permit a re-survey;
b) in the conduct of the dog or at the examination for fighting drive, self-confidence, and hardness (TSB), a status of being qualified for breeding has not yet been reached;
c) the deferment is because the reevaluation is possible only once. A dog unsuccessful the second time is not suitable for the purpose of the survey (which is, to determine breed worthiness).
7.5 Unsuitability for the Körung The following defects exclude a dog from the Körung:
a) considerable anatomical defects;
b) Oversize or undersize of more than 1 cm;
c) Testicle fault [missing, unequal size];
d) Tooth defects [also see chart at the end of this document]; an absence of:
one P-3 [third premolar] or
two incisors or
one P-2 plus one incisor or
one P-2 plus one P-1 or
two P-2s
e) Dogs with considerably faulty pigment
f) Longcoated dogs (Langhaar or Langstockhaar) that are lacking undercoat.
7.6 Lifetime or length of time Körung is effective
7.6.1 The new breed survey and the survey after interruption [i.e., if the repeat is not done in time] are good for two years at most. During the second calendar year (Kör season) of the time the survey is good for, the dog must be presented for the second survey.
7.6.2 The second survey results are for life (“Lebenzeit”).
7.6.3 A Kör class upgrade does not extend the original Kör class effective duration.
7.6.4 A surveyed bitch heavy in whelp in the year of the impending second survey, can be given extra time for resurvey: a further year without demonstration of being qualified to breed (gekört). If this is the case, then on the day of the scheduled survey, there must be shown:
· The certificate of mating indicating the gestation period to date is at least 42 days.
· Certification from the responsible local breed warden re the visible pregnancy.
The same [extra time] consideration is given for nursing bitches, if not more than 42 days between whelping date and scheduled survey. No other reason for extension of the breed survey is possible.
7.7 Completion of the breed survey: If a surveyed dog does not make the second survey, the original breed survey ends with the conclusion of that calendar year. [Must start all over again.]
7.7.1 The breed survey ends if the surveyed dog is sold to a non-member, except that the buyer is given up to three months to join the SV.
7.7.2 The breed survey term of a dog whose owner is excluded from the SV as a result of a club’s criminal proceedings ends with the day on which the expulsion decree attains legal force.
7.7.3 The breed survey can end, become invalid, through the process of revocation. This comes about through a recommendation by a Körmeister or conformation judge to the Köramt [survey office at HQ]. A “hold” can be put on the process of recording the survey results for whatever time is necessary to iron out any possible problems.
8. Survey certificates and survey record book:
For a fee, a certificate (Körschein) for the breed-surveyed dog is prepared by the Köramt [survey office at the SV’s HQ]. It will take some weeks for this and the original pedigree to be returned to the owner of the dog after the breed survey summary is added. The owners of dogs not successful at the survey likewise get back their original pedigree after the time it takes to process the report. On the pedigree the reason for the non-survey is noted.
These dogs are annually listed in the SV’s survey record book [Körbuch] by coat variety (Normal, Langhaar or Langstockhaar) [detailed above] and by sex. The Körbuch includes a statement about the dog’s classification called “recommended for breeding” (Kkl-1) as well as those “suitable for breeding” (Kkl-2). These concern anatomical construction as well as character. With the statements by the Körmeisters about breeding recommendations, this makes an inclusive and indispensable reference book for the earnest breeder.
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On the effective date of these survey rules (2009), all earlier versions become invalid. This concludes the rules for the breed survey (Körung). This translation is prepared and copyrighted by Fred Lanting. All rights reserved, but permission to reproduce will be granted if approved biographical information is appended to any such publication.
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more notes from Fred:
SV and the long-coated GSD
In July 2008, there was an announcement that SV & FCI had signed an agreement to permit the showing of “long-stock coated” GSDs as a legitimate variety of the breed. The German word “stock” can best be transliterated as “stiff, straight, and harsh” and refers to the normal topcoat hairs seen in the typical coat of this breed The “long-stock coat” has the same straight, harsh texture as the normal, historically accepted coat. The decision was made that these dogs were to be “re-integrated” into the breed. In the summer of 2009, it was announced that long-haired GSDs (with the “long-stock” coat) could be shown, but only in their own shows or classes. It is to have its own Stud Book and its own Körung. It will not be permitted to be shown at the BSZS. Matings between the long-coat and normal-coat dogs would not be approved (their offspring not registrable). Of course, when long-coated dogs are born to dogs whose coats are of normal length (as has happened since before the SV was formed), those individuals would have to be registered as longcoats.
Note: As of 01.01.2010, the changes in rules referring to microchips likewise apply to the long-haired dogs, subject to the permission of the FCI.
SV Körordnung and Zuchtordnung, revised 2009: http://www.schaeferhund.de/site/index.php?id=571
4. Zuchtwert und Zuchtvoraus setzungen
Die Zucht des Deutschen Schäferhundes ist nur innerhalb der Varietäten der Haararten “Stockhaar” und “Langstockhaar mit Unterwolle” erlaubt. Eine Verpaarung von stockhaarigen mit langstockhaarigen Hunden mit Unterwolle ist nicht gestattet. Hunde aus derartigen Verbindungen können keine Aufnahme in das Zuchtbuch finden, lediglich in das Gebrauchshunderegister.
translation: The breeding of German Shepherd Dogs is permitted only within the coat varieties, viz., the “stock hair” and “long stock hair with undercoat.” Both varieties have mostly or all straight topcoat hair. A mating of normal-length (stockhaarigen) with long-coated (langstockhaarigen-with-Unterwolle [undercoat]) dogs is not permitted. Dogs from such pairings cannot be admitted into the studbook (breed registry), only into the working-dog register.
According to the SV Körordnung (breeding classification rules), a person cannot get an SV breed survey done on a dog unless the AD and at least one SchH title are awarded by an SV judge. Clarification in a letter from SV to me: “June 13, 2003: Dear Mr. Lanting, Concerning your inquiry, we want to inform you that a dog must have passed [at least one of] the trials under an SV judge only if the dog is presented for a breed survey in Germany. If the dog takes part in the breed survey in the States, it has to meet the requirements of USCA or WDA. Please note: a dog whose owner resides in Germany cannot be presented for breed survey outside of Germany. Furthermore, we must inform you that training degrees which have not been passed under an SV judge are not sufficient for breeding in Germany.” Thus, if you want to exhibit your dog anywhere under an SV judge, and get internationally-recognized awards, it must have the Körung (breed survey) and SchH or IPO (IP) title as described above.
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As a postscript, comments on tooth faults follow on the next page.
The Judging of Tooth Faults in Conformation Shows and Breed Surveys
Classification
Kkl-1, VA (Vorzüglich?Select)
Kkl-1, V (Vorzüglich, excellent)
Kkl-2, SG (Sehr?Gut, very good)
Kkl-2, G (Gut, good)
Not eligible for a Kör classification,
but still may get a “G” in a show ring
“U” (Ungenügend, Insufficient) and blocked from the registry
Conditions
Flawless bite, complete dentures, no broken* or defective teeth or large gaps, no extra (double) teeth.
Flawless bite, complete dentures, no large gaps; (double P-1s, and tooth broken accidentally are allowed).
Missing one P-1 premolar or an incisor**
(double P-1s, and accidentally broken teeth are allowed).
Missing two P-1s; or
one P-1 and an incisor; or
one P-2 **
Missing one P-3; or
two incisors; or
one P-2 plus one incisor; or
one P-2 plus one P-1; or
two P-2s;
Absence of: one P-3 and any other tooth; or one fang (canine); or
one P-4; or
one M-1 (1st molar); or
one M-2; or
a total of any three teeth.
* See rule change of 1998, allowing for exceptions due to non-genetic causes.
** In puppy classes at shows, the judge may give “Promising” to either condition, but for breed surveys and adult show classes, the maximum rating is as above. Puppies are eligible for these show ratings: Very Promising, Promising, Less Promising, and Faulty.
Other Tooth and Jaw Defects
Over- and Under- bites:
Obviously undershot or overshot (the latter being the separation of top incisors standing in front of the bottom ones by the thickness of a matchstick or greater): the dog is not allowed to be listed in the registry.
Imperfect bite (Aufbeißen, off-bite)
A slight off-bite (level, even, pincer bite) of the center incisors can be allowed in Kkl-2.
Caries (tooth decay) disqualifies from the breed survey.
Worn down and discolored:
If due to age, it is considered in the judgment, but with no major downgrading. If teeth have turned slightly yellow or brown, but if the tooth is substantially O.K., Kkl-2 is possible.
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Change in SV Breed Show Dentition Rules
Note: This is my translation of the Dentition Rules the SV announced in August 1998. The “dental notation” can be done anywhere, any time, by certain authorized people. The purpose is to provide proof of normal dentition in case disease or accident causes loss before the dog is presented for a Körung (the official record being the Körschein).
The SV concluded this year’s [1998] conference on changing the breed show rules concerning the Ahnentafel (“official pedigree”-registration paper) and regarding damaged (broken) or missing teeth. This is the new wording of section 4.3. of the breed show rules:
Environmental influences that lead to damage to a portion of the teeth, or to their entire absence, have no consequence for breed evaluation awards (such as show placings or Körung). However, it is required that the former presence of healthy, strong teeth and/or a flawless scissors bite be confirmed and noted on the Ahnentafel. The proof to be given the studbook office can be as follows:
(Check-list for establishing dentition registrations)
1. Submission of a dog show judgment [critique and results] and the scorebook, in which a conformation judge has described and confirmed the totality and [former] presence and sufficiency of healthy, robust teeth and a flawless scissors bite determined by personal examination. This is done after the dog has reached the age of 12 months.
2. Submission of the breed survey certificate (Körschein), in which were recorded the dentition and bite status at the time of the survey.
3. The submission of a radiograph together with a certificate by an SV-certified HD veterinarian, or a veterinary dentist approved by the SV. On the radiograph, parts of the root or at least the tooth socket must be shown.
Directives to Veterinarians regarding certification for tooth faults, and X-ray requirement for the entry in the Ahnentafeln: Unfortunately it frequently occurs that veterinary certifications of damaged or missing teeth are inadequate in description. Until the necessary statements about the Ahnentafel registration exist, taking much time, this can be very vexing to the owners, who are not allowed to exhibit their dogs! We therefore had to put together the most important points for you to certify, in the form of a checklist:
* Complete name of the dog on the pedigree: obvious and legible
* SZ number (SV Zuchtbuch/studbook), on the pedigree
* Tattoo number: in the right ear, agreeing with that on the pedigree
* Give the status of any dentition problem:
· Tooth is broken off, chipped, etc.
· Tooth with root is missing completely (due to environmental, non-genetic) influence)
· Tooth had to be extracted (give reason)
* Cause of the tooth fault
* Position reference (right/left, top/bottom) please imagine yourself behind the dog, to determine which is right or left side
* Description of teeth: Please pay attention to the correct designation (P1, P2, etc.)
* X-rays: Requirement for the entry in the Ahnentafel:
Tooth faults in the GSD occur often, even though it may be that dogs are completely free of tooth faults for many generations. Inheritance plays a role in the congenital tooth fault, but loss or damage acquired later in life through environmental influences plays no role in determining the breeding value of the GSD or for its descendants. Before the extraction of a tooth, a radiograph must be made in each case. It is a requirement for recording the missing tooth in the Ahnentafel of the dog. The stud-book office of the SV acknowledges radiographs only by certified HD veterinarians or from approved veterinarians specializing in dentistry. Please note, at the establishing of the radiograph, the following:
* Do the X-ray before the extraction!
* Clearly mark: “right” or “left”!
Still another note: Teeth that do not emerge completely from the gum (or are not normally developed) generally have no designation in the Ahnentafel. Veterinary certifications and radiographs therefore are necessary only for damaged or extracted teeth, whose absence is a result of non-hereditary, outside influences.
Translation and added notes © Fred Lanting, Mr.GSD@netscape.com This notice must appear on all reprints and postings, and all such use must have specific permission from the author. Fred has years of experience as an SV Zuchtrichter (conformation judge) and is an author of books on the GSD and on Orthopedic Disorders, among others.
SV Conformation
Breed Show (SV Conformation Show) Rules, 2009 version
Translation © by Fred Lanting
The club for German Shepherd Dogs (SV) is the parent club of the breed, acknowledged by the VDH and the FCI. For the purpose of the conservation and further development of the breed, the statutes of the SV (delineated at SV headquarters for SV member-clubs) generally and in particular for the handling of the organization, indispensable for the breed, the SV gives the following “breed show rules”. These regulations are to have the effect of law (for members).
[While these are drawn up for use in Germany, they can serve as examples for other countries. Comments in brackets are generally liberal transliterations rather than literal translations, and are added by the translator for clarity. Revisions of 1997 version are highlighted by color or shading.]
I. Definitions and responsibilities
The SV conducts breed shows for the two coat-varieties of the German Shepherd Dog: “straight hair [normal length]” and “long straight hair with undercoat.” Exhibition of these dogs is segregated in separate classes and groups according to the length of the haircoat.
1. The classifications of conformation breed shows:
1.1. Local clubs’ shows
1.2. Regional organizations (including groups of clubs) shows
1.3. Specialty shows for the breed, incorporated as part of VDH (all-breed) events
1.4. The annual “Sieger Show” held in Germany
2. Local Shows: Local SV clubs (Ortsgruppen) are responsible for organization and handling of breed shows (see 1.1).
2.1. Local clubs’ conformation shows need approval for their events from the SV HG (main office) via officers of the Landesgruppe (“LG” — regional organization).
2.2. The allocation and scheduling of conformation shows for local clubs are to be accomplished through the respective Landesgruppen.
2.3. The choices of judges for local (Ortsgruppe) conformation shows is incumbent on the accomplishing local club, which also must provide expense reimbursement for the conformation judges.
2.4. The local chapter or club (Ortsgruppe) must have proof of insurance coverage for their organization.
2.5. The Ortsgruppe is responsible for an organizationally flawless event, as well as for the observance of all pertinent regulations of the SV. This includes providing two sufficiently large rings, one for each of the sexes, for the classes judged in the morning, on to the brisk completion of the classes by 1:00 p.m., and the distribution of prizes at the close.
3. Regional (Landesgruppen) Conformation Shows
3.1. Each SV Landesgruppe must hold a regional conformation show annually in its geographical domain. It can partially and/or completely authorize a local chapter in their region area to handle the implementation.
3.2. The appointed dates of the LG conformation shows are determined by each Landesgruppe respectively and well in advance. These shows exclusively take place on Sundays. In each case, the adjacent Landesgruppen (bordering on any particular LG) must not hold such an event on the same weekend.
3.3. The choice of the officiating Judges for these regional conformation shows is incumbent on the respective Landesgruppe. Each LG is to ask at least three SV judges eligible to judge the Sieger Show if they are available to judge on the chosen weekend.
3.4. The LG conformation show needs approval from the main office [re dates and details].
3.5. For insurance coverage, the same rule applies as in 2.4 above.
4. German Shepherd Dog Specialty Shows Included in VDH All-breed Events:
4.1. Conformation specialty shows sponsored by local or regional SV clubs can be incorporated as part of VDH shows as specialty shows, or as stand-alone events. The determinations under paragraphs 1.2 and/or 1.3 apply fully for the breed show rules.
4.2. The appropriate show regulations of both the breed club and the VDH are to be observed.
4.3. Judges for the specialty conformation show must have VDH judging credentials.
5. German Sieger Show The SV each year organizes a German Sieger Show [also called the Bundessiegerzuchtschau, Hauptzuchtschau, etc.].
5.1. Organization is directed by the SV head office, which authorizes and cooperates with a Landesgruppe for the implementation of the show. Part of these responsibilities can be transferred to the LG in which region the show is held.
5.2. The establishment of awards, dates, and times comes from the SV headquarters.
5.3. The selection of judges is incumbent upon the SV executive committee.
5.4. All dogs that are presented to the judge in the Breeders Groups on Friday are also to be evaluated on Sunday. In all other respects, the breed-show rules and guidelines apply which are given in III.2. (below, under Sonstige Bestimmungen “Other Determinations”).
5.5 Additional special clauses may apply, which are published in notices in the SV Zeitung periodical, and communications from the HQ office to SV members, among other means.
II. Organization of the conformation shows
1. For the type or level of conformation show listed in I.1 (Ortsgruppe show), a printed show catalog is required.
1.1. All dogs that are entered for exhibition must be listed in this catalog, with their names, studbook number, whelping date, evidence of parentage, name & address of the breeder, and name & address of the owner.
1.2. The show organization may only accept and print in the show catalog, dogs that are:
1.2.1. entered in the studbook of the SV (have an SZ registration number) or are in similar records of an SV-acknowledged foreign club and identified with tattoo and/or microchip numbers,
1.2.2. over 12 months old,
1.2.3. free from any indication of disease,
1.2.4. are not under a progeny-registration ban (i.e., they or their parents are allowed to breed),
1.2.5 are owned by SV members,
1.2.6 are not owned by persons for whom a final ban on participating in events is in effect.
1.2.7 The deadline for entries received by the club is midnight of the Monday before the show. They must be faxed [or otherwise delivered] to the club’s main office by Wednesday, 12:00 o’clock [noon] at the latest, for the SID (show records) preparations. Dogs for which entries or registrations are received after the deadline may not take part in the competition.
1.3. At breed (conformation) shows, only dogs that can be proven to be owned by SV members may be shown.
2. Division of Classes
The dogs exhibited at conformation shows are divided by coat varieties: the “Stockhaar” (straight-haired, medium length topcoat) and the “Langstockhaar” (longer topcoat but also with undercoat). At shows of more than one days’ duration, the first day of the competition is used in determining a cut-off date for eligibility in specific age classes.
2.1. Youth (Jugend) classes are for dogs from 12 to 18 months.
2.2. Young-dog (Junghund) classes are for dogs 18 to 24 months.
2.3. Working-dog (Adult & titled) classes are for dogs that have reached their 2nd birthdate.
2.4 Dogs classified in paragraph 2.3 must have proof of a training degree, at least SchH-1 (or IP-1) or the HGH (Herdengebrauchshunde herding) title.
2.5. HGH classes
a./ Dogs over 24 months must have the HGH training title. This must have been acquired under an SV-recognized HGH judge.
b./ Dogs under 24 months (in the Jugendklassen/Junghundklassen youth/young-dog classes) without training titles can also be exhibited, if the owner is a shepherd or sheep owner and can prove membership in his sheep-breeding federation. Alternatively, the responsible person [exhibitor or owner] can be licensed by the Agriculture Department; a new certificate is to be submitted annually. This is not needed in the case of occupational shepherds.
2.6. Breeders’ groups (Zuchtgruppen):
A Zuchtgruppe (Breeder’s group) is composed of at least three, and at most six, animals from one kennel, all of which are also shown in their respective classes at the breed show and have received minimum quality evaluations of “Good”. All the dogs in any Zuchtgruppe must have the same kind of haircoat [either long or normal]. The groups are evaluated according to these criteria: uniformity of the group (40%), quality of the single animals (40%), and with consideration as much as possible to the similarity to the parents of the dogs (20%).
2.7. For the sake of the breed, a “Nachkommenschau” (progeny class or show) for dogs of age 9-12 months, can be held. This is possible [in Germany] only in connection with a regional or local SV club’s conformation show. This event is to be in series with, and on one of the same days as, the regular conformation show. The judging can only be done by SV conformation judges.
2.8. Dogs over six years of age may be shown in their own Veterans classes. They usually are given no critique, but a ranking and placement for each entry is made.
3. Evaluations/Awards
In Puppy classes (see 2.7), the following judgments can be awarded:
• “very promising”: Animals that correspond to the breed standard fully or display minor, insignificant limitations in anatomy;
• “promising”: Animals that correspond to the breed standard, but may have some undesirable and clearly recognizable anatomical or developmental characteristics;
• “less promising”: Animals that display obvious defects concerning their temperament and/or breed-worthiness qualifications [Are less impressive and should be excluded from breeding];
• Mängel: a more seriously faulty exhibit. [very seldom seen]
The evaluations [of puppies] do not represent critiques in the same sense as breed evaluations [of adult dogs. These judgments are not appraisals having the same meaning, permanence, or importance as do the adult breed evaluations].
4. Appraisals
4.1. Dogs entered at conformation shows described in Section I., paragraphs 1.1 to 1.3, can be awarded the following evaluations or ratings:
• “Excellent” (V, vorzüglich): Animals in the Gebrauchshundklasse (adult, working-titled class), which in strict sense fully correspond to the breed standard, show themselves to be self-confident, are indifferent to gunshots, have on the Ahnentafel (pedigree) the “a”-stamp for hips (and, if born after 01.01.2004, have elbows certified as normal, fast-normal, or noch zugelassen [normal, nearly normal, or still allowed] also on the Ahnentafel), and, if over 3.5 years old, are approved in a Körung (breed survey). Effective in 2008, double P-1 (first premolar) is allowed.
• ”Very Good” (SG, sehr gut): Having only minor faults in the area of anatomy. Also, animals that otherwise are anatomically flawless, but have overbites or underbites up to 1 cm. The absence of a single P-1 (first premolar) or an incisor is allowed. (SG is the highest possible rating in the 12-18 month youth/Junghund and 18-24 month young dog/Jugend classes, and [such dogs may] fully correspond to the breed Standard in the same way that adult/working-titled dogs meet the requirements for the V rating)
• “Good” (G, gut): Dogs that correspond to the standard, with clearly recognizable anatomical imperfections. The faults of missing two P-1s (first premolar), or one P-1 plus one incisor, or one P-2, or one P-3, or 2 incisors, or one P- 2 plus an incisor, or one P-2 plus one P-1, or two P-2s, are allowed.
• “Sufficient” (A, Ausreichend): Dogs that on the day of the event are gunshot-sensitive, or are not allowed a higher appraisal because of not enough “Unbefangenheit” (which can be translated as impartiality, stability, or lack of nervousness/shyness), or that have faults in either their over-all state-of-mind or anatomical condition.
• “Insufficient/Unsatisfactory” (U, Ungenügend): for animals that are gun-shy, which have faults of diminished character and are defective in the area of impartiality or breed-disqualifications. Also for animals with moderate overbite or moderate underbites of more than 1 cm. The appraisal “Insufficient” is accompanied by a “progeny ban” (any offspring are not eligible for registration), which the acting conformation judge has to put in his report to the SV.
4.2. At the German Sieger Show, besides the evaluation categories in 4.1, there is the additional appraisal and award of “Excellent-Select” (VA, vorzüglicht-auslese), which implies evidence of these further criteria: For the VA Class, only dogs are eligible that are Körklasse-1 in the breeding classifications (breed-surveyed as “recommended”); having complete, flawless dentition; and having at least the training degree SchH2 for their first time as VA. They must be progeny of Kkl-1 working-titled parents. Dogs that would be placed in the VA group for the second time must possess the SchH3.
4.3. If there are external (environmental, not genetic) influences that result in damage, or entire absence, of teeth, such dogs remain in full contention for the awards, without adverse consequences on the breed evaluation. The requirement, however, is that the former presence of sound, strong teeth, and a flawless scissors bite with straight line of incisors, is without doubt and confirmed on the pedigree. The proof can be given as follows regarding the Zuchtbuchamt (the SV’s official studbook records):
1. Such evidence of dentition described above, officially recorded at some past date by notation in judging books and scorebook, in which a Körmeister (breed-survey judge) has described and confirmed the status after personal examination as part of the judgment at a conformation show. This can be done at the earliest at the age of 12 months. or,
2. Documentation in the Körschein, describing the dental status as being correct at the time of the Körung, or,
3. Starting in 2001, such documentation is added to the Ahnentafel. This would include appropriate information on any missing or damaged teeth as noted by the Zuchtbuchamt, the SV office where the studbooks of the breed are maintained.
If numbers 1 and 2 above cannot be supplied, [and the owner wishes to establish the fact of non-genetic dentition problems or irregularities], the SV Zuchtbuchamt (where the studbook and other records are maintained) must be supplied with a radiograph and certified statement from an “HD-veterinarian” or veterinary dentistry specialist [already approved by the SV for such matters]. Parts of the root or at least the tooth socket must be evident on the radiograph. In the case of partial damage, a certificate from such a veterinarian must be submitted. This applies also in the cases of absence of teeth. To have this information added to the Ahnentafel, such evidence must be provided to the SV.
III. Other Determinations
1. Owners or exhibitors of dogs entered, but not shown, are liable for full entry fees.
2. Dogs that are shown for the “standing exam” and then [before the final gaiting competition] are taken out of further competition in the show, without explicit authorization by the acting breed judge, must receive a rating of “Insufficient” and a 6 months prohibition from being shown. With the notation of “Insufficient” a similar temporary ban on progeny registration also is enjoined, which takes effect at the time of that appraisal. Such instances are reported by the judge to the SV main office.
3. A judge’s decision on conformation shows is final. An objection is not permitted.
4. The exhibitor is obligated to make true statements about his dog. Attempted deceptions lead to the implementation of disciplinary procedures by the SV.
5. The exhibitor is obligated to show sportsmanlike conduct. Offenses determined by a club’s disciplinary procedures could lead to a reprimand and/or to the disqualification of his dog. Who intentionally makes wrong statements or does not answer questions demanded of him, also who makes or tolerates changes in his dog, or takes actions intended to deceive the judge, will lose any award already given to the dog at this event and can, according to the gravity of the case, be excluded from future events or have another penalty administered by the SV.
6. It is not allowed for the Judge at any conformation shows to judge dogs that are owned by himself and/or his agents. Extreme reserve should be exercised regarding dogs that are owned or cared for by the judge’s near relatives. This includes persons one lives with, breeds with, owns dogs with, and shares households with.
7. At the presentation in the standing exam the dogs are to be presented to the judge without substantial help such as hand-posing. (The dogs are to be standing naturally.)
8. By entering a dog in an SV competition, the dog owner agrees to the taking of hair samples, upon decision of the acting judge, by that judge or the person he assigns. The hair samples are to be sent in the SV headquarters, the purpose being to examine it for possible artificial color manipulations [dyeing] for which the owners are responsible. If the suspicion of such color deception should be confirmed, the costs of the investigative procedure are to be borne by the owners of the examined dogs. In such a case, the show evaluation is voided, and the dog is banned from entries into the studbook [or other records] for 12 months starting from the day [of that incident or event]. An SV ruling and procedures will be instigated against the owner(s). In case such color manipulation is confirmed, the SV will not bear the investigation costs [the owner will].
9. It is not permitted to use acoustic aids in calling the dogs, whether amplified electrically or via compressed air or gas. [Fred’s note: this is totally ignored at shows.] Likewise it is forbidden, to alert or call dogs with the use of pistols, whipping, or Schutzhund sleeves. Offenses can result in a reprimand of the caller, the disqualification of the dog, and the introduction of internal (SV) club disciplinary procedures against the owner and the caller.
10. Breed shows can be held throughout the whole year, but holding shows indoors is permitted only from 1 December to the end of February.
personal postscripts:
Dec. 20, 2001 mail (re dogs judged Vorhanden in the courage test not being allowed to compete further in that particular show):
Dear Mr. Lanting,
Concerning your inquiry, we can inform you that the special rules for the Sieger Show (Bundessiegerzuchtschau) are not part of the regular breed show rules. Under section 5.4 it is stated, that additional regulations are listed under “Ausschreibungsunterlagen” and are published in the SV-Zeitung as well as the entry form for the Siegerschau.
Kind regards, A. Fath, SV Main Office
Effective July 1, 2000 — At conformation shows it is to be established:
A dog can be entered and handled in the appropriate classes in conformation shows without restraint in reference to his courage test evaluations (protection phase Schutzhund scores).*
For possibly further questions I remain at your disposal,
Sincerely, Hans Rüdenaur, SV Main Office
*(Trial scores are not to be taken into account in a conformation show when a dog is evaluated there.)
Translation and added notes copyrighted © Fred Lanting. This notice must appear on all reprints and postings, and all such use must have specific permission from the author. Fred has had many years experience as an SV Zuchtrichter (conformation judge) and is an author of books on the GSD and on Orthopedic Disorders, among others. Contact: Mr.GSD@netscape.com
Anouncing the 2009 Sieger show tour!
General info on The Sieger Show Experience with tour guide Fred Lanting
The SV Bundessieger-Zuchtschau (BSZS or Sieger Show) in Germany is generally held in the last week of August or first week in September at a different location each year, depending on stadiums available. (The cost of stadium for this one-weekend event, and the competition with soccer/football events that sign contracts for many per year, determine the choice.) For the past 20 years or so, I have offered my non-profit 6-7-day guided tour of the show and sightseeing, including visits to kennels and training clubs. Get an SV judge’s perspective of the bloodlines and procedures, along with experienced introductions to Germany’s culture and beauty. My groups come from all parts of the globe, so even just the companionship is like a world-travel experience. We usually arrive on the Wed. or Thurs. before the show, and return the following Wednesday.
Looking for a great dog-related experience combined with seeing a different part of the world? Whatever your breed or activity in dogs, the annual Lanting guided show-and-sightseeing tour could be the experience of a lifetime. Read my annual “Impressions” articles on various websites for an idea of what we’ve seen in recent years. Tours centered on other countries’ Sieger Shows, the BSP, and world Schutzhund trials are also available if enough people sign up.
None of “my people” have ever been sorry, and all have wished they had done it earlier! You will see the best of the breed, meet important GSD people, sometimes see another country or two, and have the over-all greatest dog show experience of your life. I also include, if you decide to join us, a variety of travel tips. I offer an SV conformation judge’s perspective of the show (I also have AKC, UKC, and foreign judging experience). One year, when a travel-agency tour leader again deserted his group, they came to where my group was sitting and asked me questions. References available from previous tour participants. Testimonials are numerous. I hope you will join us and recommend this tour to your friends and acquaintances. As a judge with much experience in Schutzhund training and competition, and being very familiar with Western Europe, I am able to give the best tour possible. People going it on their own cannot see the important parts of the country (sometimes we tour adjacent countries, too), and paying for your rental car is more than chipping in to pay for the van and my expenses. Read my “Impressions” on various websites for an idea of what we’ve seen in recent years.
There will be 3 long days of the big show, and about 3 to 4 days of sightseeing and visits. Please let me know as soon as you can, with a $400 (US) deposit, so I can start putting my notification list together and finalize (hold) hotel reservations for you. There is a lot of work involved in putting together such a tour! I will make the hotel plans based on your deposits, & arrange the visits and van(s). Easy, fun, educational and, for most — the unique trip of a lifetime. You will not be any younger next year, and if you don’t make the decision to get out there and smell the roses NOW, while you think of it, you’re more likely than not to lose the opportunity and desire. Join the group! Tell others about it, too.
SV Standard – translated by Fred Lanting
FCI Standard #166; Adopted 1997; replaces 23 March, 1991 edition
(Dentition change added January 2002)
FCI Classification: Group 1 – Guardian and Driving dogs;
Section 1 – Shepherds’ dogs with working titles.
Versatile use: Guardian and Service (Working) Dog
Short historic overview:
Since the official establishment in Augsburg, within the German Canine Association known as the VDH (German “Kennel Club”), the parent club of the breed, the Club for German Shepherd Dogs (SV), is responsible for the breed Standard of the German Shepherd Dog. The Standard was set up in the first membership meeting in Frankfurt on 20 September 1899, upon the suggestions of A. Meyer and M. von Stephanitz, and then revised at the 6th membership gathering on 28 July 1901, the 23rd meeting in Köln on 17 September 1909, the conference of the executive committee and board in Wiesbaden on 5 September 1930, and the breed committee and board of directors meeting on 25 March 1961. As part of that one, the World Union of German Shepherd Dog Clubs (WUSV), was involved with the work. At the WUSV conference on 30 August 1976 they agreed on another revision, and on 23/24 March 1991 assumed full powers by way of resolution of the executive and advisory committees. [The current version was adopted in 1997.] Continue reading
Breed Show (SV Conformation Show) Rules, Germany – 1997 version, translated by Fred Lanting
The following rules are enforced in Germany, and offered as a guide to other countries’ clubs.
Breed Show (SV Conformation Show) Rules, Germany
1997 version, translated by Fred Lanting
The club for German Shepherd Dogs (SV) is the parent club of the breed, acknowledged by the VDH and the FCI. For the purpose of the conservation and further development of the breed, the statutes of the SV (delineated at SV headquarters for SV member-clubs) generally and in particular for the handling of the organization, indispensable for the breed, the SV gives the following “breed show rules”. These regulations are to have the effect of law (for members). Continue reading
The 2004 SV/WUSV/FCI Rules for the BH Qualification (Translated into English by Fred Lanting)
The 2004 SV/WUSV/FCI Rules for the BH Qualification
Translation copyrighted by Fred Lanting
COMPANION DOG AND BEHAVIOR/TEMPERAMENT TEST, WITH TRAFFIC SURENESS AND OTHER SPECIAL EXPERIENCE
(Begleithund & Verhaltens Test, BH/VT)
All examinations and qualification events are subject to principles of sportsmanship regarding the performance and behavior of those involved. The execution, demonstration, and evaluation are more thoroughly described below. These regulations are binding for all involved, and all participants have to meet the same performance requirements. One change is that at the BH/VT examination, the gunsureness test no longer takes place. In order to participate in FH, SchH/VPG, IPO, RTP (SAR), Agility, and Obedience events, proof of the BH/VT is required. Authorized to award the BH/VT are SchH/VPG, Agility and Obedience trial judges listed and approved by any AZG-member association. The examination result is to be noted in the appropriate performance record, such as scorebook or Ahnentafel. Continue reading
Will the True Working Dog Disappear?
Fred Lanting
As most of you know, I have been involved with the German Shepherd Dog since 1947 as a trainer, breeder, judge, author, and teacher. My love for the breed is unquestionable and I count it an honor to have fought for its welfare and preservation for all these years. In my zeal for one of God’s great gifts to man, namely, the companionship and utility of dogs, I may step on some toes once in a while. But it never from spite or greed or self-aggrandizement that I call a spade a spade, and wish to correct error. Lately I have been railing against the deterioration of character in the show dog and the unwillingness of the working-only faction in the sport to make peace and use “gentle persuasion” in bringing the two communities back together.
For my usual show-and-tour description, look at “Impressions of the 2006 Sieger Show and Tour” on http://SiriusDog.com , www.angelfire.com/de3/jagenstadt/vonsalixHome.html , and http://www.aniwa.com/renvoie.asp?type=1&id=102350&cid=126426&com=1&lang=2&animal=1 , among other sites. In this companion piece, I want to extend those remarks and expand a bit on what the trends are in the world of the German Shepherd Dog. First, I’d like to give my modified definitions of the words type and style. The former word, especially when I capitalize it, refers to those essential, central characteristics that describe or illustrate the breed or an especially good representative of the Standard. The latter connotes the variation within and diverging a little from that ideal. Where the boundary line is between these words, is a matter of individual opinion.
We have already seen the loss of Type in the AKC dog and the old Alsatian GSDs. In England and its satellite colony-countries, this was caused almost entirely by the unfortunate quarantine system. When a species becomes isolated, it develops in such a way as to accentuate certain recessive traits and, by such inbreeding, fix a new type or style. My book, The Total German Shepherd, gives a good genetic explanation for this phenomenon. We cannot blame the rabies quarantine in the U.S., but isolation there is partly a matter of distance and cost. The great percentage of dogs do not go back and forth across the ocean for breeding and or competition, so the effect of isolation is just as bad. Maybe worse, since England’s proximity to the Continent and, later, the relaxing of those burdensome quarantine times, has allowed the international type to gain a position of prominence there. In North America, the home-bred AKC-style GSD is mostly a dog that very few people want. Instead of being Number One as it is in the rest of the world, it hovers closer to the bottom of the Top Ten in popularity. Canada might as well be considered another state in the USA, as bloodlines and clubs are almost indistinguishable.
In the other major quarantine region, Australasia, body style is still largely in the 1970s and `80s rut of the broken or banana-back topline that came about as a side-effect of the emphasis the Martin brothers put on rear drive, and (following their lead) the neglect by many top SV judges of the normal canine topline. It is improving, but the problem that remains is the Australian National Kennel Club, which is their all-breed registry and 1,000-kilo gorilla. The sport and proofing tool of Schutzhund has been banned by the all-breed club and the government, and the GSDClub of Australia has meekly gone along with them rather than put up a fight for the sake of uniting the breed or at least keeping it a true working-character dog.
So, what happens when the powers-that-be in Australasia, the AKC and CKC, The Kennel Club (UK), and smaller national dog registries have all that power to inhibit the training and competing with protection dogs? They make old Max von Stephanitz spin madly in his grave, for one thing. The breed was developed for the twin purposes of herding and protecting sheep, and protecting their owners and property. This expanded early into using their natural abilities for police and military work as well as Search and Rescue, and guides for the blind. The herding use has become an anachronism in this day of city growth and Border Collie replacement. Guide dogs are more likely to be Retrievers. Even the military and police dog jobs are being given to Malinois, Dutch Shepherds, and mixed breeds.
In the first 65 or 70 years of the breed, the German Shepherd Dog was one breed. The working qualities were stressed almost as much as the aesthetics were. Breeders put almost as much emphasis on training as on conformation. America still relied on imports to keep them reminded about what the GSD was supposed to look like and act like. About the same time that Americans were linebreeding extremely heavily on one dog with weak temperament (the mid-1960s), Germans were beginning to put all their eggs in the one “beauty basket”, at least those who wanted the prestige of a good rating at the Sieger Show.
For me, 1967 marked the biggest pot-hole and detour in the road the GSD had been traveling. In the USA, character was being ignored. The (U.S.) GSDCA’s Grand Victor of 1966 and 1968 produced a large percentage of “spooky” offspring. The 1967 Grand Victor also had a temperament problem and passed it along, notably to such weak dogs as his son the 1971 Grand Victor, as well as structural problems that became intensified due to unwise excessive linebreeding on him. One of the last German Siegers with really super breed character was 1967′s Bodo Lierberg, and he was passed over when he only got as far as Winners Dog (the chief non-champion class) at the American National Specialty that same year. That decision irrevocably skewed the course of the breed in the United States and Canada. After 1967, emphasis in Germany increasingly favored the exciting, driving gait over courage, and several dogs of questionable character strength (or at least, poor character in a large number of offspring) were rewarded with high placings, even Sieger, such as one notable choice in the mid-1990s. The gap was widening rapidly between working-dog and show-dog Type in this all-important feature.
And that gap kept widening. Despite new SV President Peter Messler’s stated desire to make it one breed again, we began to see many conformation-VA dogs with character weaknesses, and high-ranking Leistungs (schutzhund-trial) dogs with weak heads, extremely short croups, and upright fore-assemblies. These are OK for galloping, but not suited for endurance herding and therefore not representative of the historic body construction of the breed.
This trend is short-sighted, even suicidal. In Europe and elsewhere, there is a growing bias against the sport of schutzhund (protection and utility proofing) and the civilian and military/police jobs that this activity was designed to simulate. Why? Many causes. Population growth and career evolution has increased city residence and decreased locations to rear and train your dogs, even though Germany still has a club in easy driving distance in most regions. People elect politicians who are city-dwelling, non-dog-owners — in fact, many of them turn out to be actively anti-dog or easily swayed by the dog-haters such as in the Green Party and other pressure groups. Of course, long ago, the need for sheep-herding all-purpose guard dogs like the GSD started to wither and die, with less demand for wool than for synthetic fibers, and not much demand for lamb versus “factory animals” such as pigs, that demand less land. Besides, the wolves had disappeared and with no need to double as protection dogs, Border Collies are cheaper to maintain, and work at least as hard.
Even in the historic, almost sacrosanct use that gave the other nickname to the breed, “German Police Dog”, that job is being filled more and more by the Belgian Malinois and cross-breeds of that lithe, agile, and speedy dog. They have much lower incidence of hip dysplasia, which is extremely important when one realizes the great expense of training and the shortened useful lifespan that HD brings. Police schools used to depend mostly on donated dogs and purchases at reasonable prices, but GSD breeders generally were not willing to give away their best dogs nor sell them for less than a show-dog or sport-dog buyer would pay. Those schools that do not breed their own, can get good prospects from Malinois breeders at much lower prices than GSDs demand. Therefore, because of the SV’s famous slow (or no) recent progress in hip quality (in spite of more than two decades of PennHIP data), the inherently better hips and longer useful life of the average Malinois, maintenance costs, effete politicians who are more afraid of voters’ bites than that of the breeds they hate, the image of the brave GSD as a police and personal protection dog has been suffering mortal wounds.
That leaves only one small reclusive refuge for the aficionado of the “working dog”: the shrinking world of Schutzhund. As a rule, most of these people are primarily trainers, not breeders; they spend their time and energies in the tracking field, working obedience routines, and building confidence and technique in the bitework. A much smaller percentage or total number of this group breeds litters than we find in the world of the show dog and pet market. The size of the BSP and WUSV performance trials, when compared to the Sieger Show, attest to this. As inflation, living in cities, dog-hating politicians, television (yes, this brain-numbing scourge even exists in Europe) and other factors continue to attack the breed and the sport, the true working dog will suffer.
Shows and breeding of show dogs are also down. Attendance at Sieger shows, of both dogs and people, seems to be less in most recent years, so that even the small stadiums (the only ones available in these days of football schedules booking most dates) look relatively empty. BSP attendance is also down. A few years ago, top VA dogs were getting the maximum allowed number of matings, and now they are not reaching that limit. The situation in the sport dog is at least as bad, and since Schutzhund is the “little brother” in the GSD family, this sub-family in the breed will be hurt even more.
The only way out, the only hope of saving the breed, is to re-unite it. Bring back the two wings as they were in the days of Alfred Hahn and Rummel and yes, even von Stephanitz. How? Well, one step would be to require the conformation judges of the so-called “working dog” classes (Gebrauchshund) to watch the courage tests, perhaps scheduled earlier in the week, and have Leistungsrichters advise them when deciding on the choices of the VA dogs, as these are the ones that get the most breedings. Dogs with high IP scores should be spotlighted and these accomplishments taken into account. Maybe have the BSP before the Sieger Show instead of two weeks later as now occurs, with the judges of the Sieger Show required to watch every dog’s performance. Other innovative ideas should be employed that would encourage the sport dog to enter the conformation shows. Dogs should be moved up quite a few placings if they do good work at the courage test that is currently held on Friday of the Sieger Show weekend. It is a real shame that perhaps the best-working female at the 2006 Sieger Show, the Swedish bitch “Space Geanie”, was only given an SG; perhaps if the judge had seen her courage test, she would have been awarded the V she deserved. In males, the tremendous work of dogs like Nando Haus Vortkamp, a very dark sable sired by Buster Adelmannsfelder, should have been rewarded, not hidden from the conformation judge.
Each year, in the tour that I conduct prior to and following the Sieger Show, we visit a variety of kennels and training clubs: some showdog-oriented, some strictly competition performance. Most of my tour participants hold “the total dog” as their ideal, but all of them appreciate seeing both styles or specialties in the breed. As an SV conformation judge (Zuchtrichter) as well as having put schutzhund titles on numerous dogs, I want to see probable functionality reflected in the anatomy of a beautiful dog, but I also demand that character be the number-one trait for dogs allowed to breed.
In 2006, we were fortunate to meet with the breeders and trainers at Tiekerhook, Karthago, Pfalzerheide, Willems’ Reptrade, and a KNPV (Dutch Police Dog) club close to Amsterdam. Some of my group bought pups from a couple of these, as often happens. You can read about the whole tour on sites such as those listed above, but in this article, I’d like to give, as an example, a kennel that specializes in the working dog. That is, the work that would be suitable for police as well as personal protection and enjoyment. Koos Haasing of Tiekerhook, in the southeast corner of the Netherlands near Eindhoven and the German border, discussed his philosophies and methods over lunch and at his home, where we saw his latest litter and his super dog, Max. Later, he joined us at the training demonstration and practice at the Limburg club about an hour away, where his top dog was one of those demonstrating their abilities.
Koos is a semi-retired police officer, and the principal leader of a club where very difficult challenges are given to dogs in training, so that they would be prepared for anything they might encounter on the competition field and in real life. I have selected several photos of his Max v. Tiekerhook to accompany this article, as well as a couple of examples of poor performance by “show dogs” in the so-called “working” classes at the Sieger show we saw a few days after the visit with Koos.
A companion article, entitled “The Gap Widens” has been offered to websites and magazines, with more emphasis on the historical perspective.
[editor's note]: Fred is an SV judge as well as a respected all-breed judge for several international registries, and has judged numerous countries’ Sieger Shows and Landesgruppen events. He presents seminars and consults worldwide on such topics as Gait-&-Structure, HD and Other Orthopedic Disorders, Anatomy, Training Techniques, and The GSD. He conducts annual non-profit sightseeing tours of Europe, centered on the Sieger Show (biggest breed show in the world). For tours or his books on Orthopedic Disorders or the GSD, contact him at “All Things Canine” consulting division, Willow Wood Services; 256-498-3319; or E-mail mr.gsd@netscape.com
BOOKS:
Canine HD and Other Orthopedic Disorders (new) by Fred Lanting
It covers all joints plus many bone disorders and includes genetics, diagnostic methods, treatment options, and the role that environment plays. This new “Hip Dysplasia and Other Canine Orthopedic Disorders” book is a comprehensive (nearly 600 pages!), amply illustrated, annotated, monumental work that is suitable as a coffee-table book, reference work for breeders and vets, and a study adjunct for veterinary students, for the dog trainer and the general dog owner of any breed. Order from the author or ask your book distributor.
The Total German Shepherd Dog by Fred Lanting
This is the expanded and enlarged second edition, a “must” for every true GSD lover. It is an excellent alternative to the “genetic history” by Willis, but less technical and therefore suitable for the novice, yet very detailed to be indispensable for the reputable GSD breeder. Chapters include: History and Origins, Modern Bloodlines, The Standard, Anatomy, The German Shepherd in Motion, Shows, Showing, and Training, The Winners, Nutrition and Feeding, General Care and Information, Health and First Aid, Parasites and Immunity, Diseases and Disorders, The Geriatric German Shepherd, Breeding, Basics of Genetics, Reproduction, Whelping, The First Three Weeks, Four to Twelve Weeks, Trouble-shooting Guide. Available from Hoflin.com or autographed from the author.
Need a Handler?
I am well known by almost all SV judges (having been one myself for many years), and am as fit as anyone for the task As a judge, I don’t want to charge a handling fee, just a pro-rated share of expenses (the more dogs, the more economical). Whether WUSV, USA, WDA, or other major show anywhere in the world. There’s good reason why I’m known as “Mr.GSD”.
Let’s Talk Breeding and Training
By Fred Lanting
The title of this article stems from a discussion list or website group in the U.K. with the name “Let’s Talk Breeding”. One of its subscribers said she couldn’t “sit by and listen to foolishness without speaking up.” While the forum is admirably open-ended, “designed to allow all sides of an issue to be voiced”, this gives much opportunity for promulgation of ignorance, spaced-out weirdness, incredible claims, unscientific conclusions, and the like. There is always this difficulty of finding our ways between the extremes of total libertarianism (anarchy?) and rigid governmental-type control. Think of a journey down a fairly broad valley with those extremes being the mountains on both sides. Either you allow all sorts of crazies to speak as loudly as reasoned voices (one mountain range) or you disallow any voicing of opinion other than the “party line” (the other mountain range). The latter is how communist and the equally murderous African/Islamic/Latin/third-world regimes have operated all these many years and only a few of these are crumbling, others rising anew from the lava core of human nature. In this valley, there are many changes of scenery and degrees of slope toward one or the other range.
There are many in this valley who attempt to play the role of peacemaker, and say that “the only way for anyone to make an educated decision is by understanding or at least being aware of the opposing views”. But they (we) often have rocks hurled at them from those further up both slopes. Sometimes the arguments get downright silly and based on woeful ignorance of canine psychology, which is both my subject and forte in this instance. For example, in the UK, there is currently raging a tempest in a teapot over whether dogs should be crated. Ever. Never, say some. They cry that “the idea of crates [is] evil, spaying/neutering unhealthy, and that anyone who uses any type of force other than a cootchie-coo is inhumane”. Of course, many of us have seen abusive conditions in which dogs spend almost all of their lives in crates, and I would side with the activists complaining about that, but the vast majority of dog people using crates (the airlines call them “kennels”) do so wisely and effectively. Crates help train puppies in housebreaking, chewing, and other mischievous activities they would otherwise get into when you are busy with something else. Crates give dogs a “safe place” just like the caves their ancestors used to keep from being trampled on or molested while they nap. Crates keep a dog from being bounced around in a car when you have to brake or turn suddenly. They enable you to take more than one dog with you to training, visiting, and other activities and are infinitely safer than tying the dog up to a tree or lamppost while you exercise or compete with the other dog. The problem is that too many who are soft in the heart are also a little soft in the head, and tend to anthropomorphize excessively, likening a crate to being in some medieval, dank, rat-infested sewer of a dungeon.
One apparent voice of reason reportedly has been banned from one UK site due to “calmly, logically and with research refuting statements that are either erroneous, misleading or have no basis.” I have experienced the same exile or being placed on “moderation” (probation) on one or two e-mail discussion groups that I had thought and hoped were going to be open to differences of opinion, even if slightly strongly worded. I used to be very impatient, but in my 50s I went through a mellow stage. Now, after continually hearing the same foolishness for far too long, I am growing impatient again. Sometimes I feel like saying “Don’t these dummies want to listen or learn?” I believe that is truly the case. In this post-literary age, when TV and Internet and fast-foods and DINKS (double-income-no-kids — or at least no parental supervision of same) have made instant gratification a way of life in even the flood of information we swim in, people have largely abandoned both logic and listening. When was the last time you heard of a school teaching classes in logic? When was the last time you got the impression in a supposed conversation that the other person was actually listening to you and your ideas, rather than just waiting for an opportunity to speak?
The other topics that, strangely, have been occupying the worry-time of Brits and other Europeans are not world famine or peace, but tail docking and the pros and cons of neutering/spaying. One of my UK correspondents (not correspondents!) said that when it was mentioned in some communiqués that puppies and kittens are spayed at eight weeks by some U.S. vets, “there was an outcry that would make you think the world was ending.” Such a reaction is very curious to those of us living in the land of convenience foods and instant gratification, especially coming from a U.K. citizenry that believes docking tails is cruel and anything more than an instant of pain. I don’t hunt with docked dogs, but I have seen many a litter docked, and handled dogs for people who’ve reported repeated injury to some breeds’ undocked tails. I’m not getting into the argument of how damaging it can be to leave the tail on, but I know what I have seen, and the pups that have their tails cut off whether by hatchet, scalpel, or thumbnail (I’ve seen all three!) are no worse off right away or throughout life than dogs that step on a thorn that is pulled out right away. Even if I did not live in rural Alabama, where hunting is a way of life for many and is a needed way to keep certain wildlife from populating themselves into starvation or environmental disaster, I could not go along with those who decry docking for reasons of suffering – it’s a red herring, it’s a non-issue. But the extremists want to ban all hunting with dogs everywhere, even to the point of fines “over there” if your dog catches a rabbit or squirrel. Dogs no longer can work as they were meant to do, if such draconian measures are adopted. And they are. Unfortunately, most politicians are not dog owners and I include the few who allow their wives and kids to have a little foo-foo “dog” on their laps, yet politicians love to make laws that infringe on the lives of others. That’s the definition of the word politics: power, over other people. It’s also the definition of tyranny.
In the U.S., another storm that is always roiling is between the “show lines” and the “working lines” in what is supposed to be the same breed. In the U.K., Australia, and one or two other countries, “Schutzhund” is a dirty word, but in Germany, the U.S., and the rest of the world, it is a major facet of both the dog sport and the proofing of character. Unfortunately, the dichotomy persists despite the efforts of many to bring the two camps together. In the U.S. we have a vociferous and active Schutzhund movement domineered by what I call the “scores-only” mentality. It doesn’t matter greatly to them if the dog looks like a Malinois, coyote, Dutch Shepherd, wolf, or GSD; only how well it performs on the Schutzhund fields is important. On the other extreme is the “show-only” crowd, most of whom are concentrated in the far-out, non-mainstream GSDCA. For the benefit of my overseas readers, I must interject an explanation of these two particular groups before continuing. In the U.S., there are two breed clubs purporting to speak for the breed. Both are members of the W.U.S.V. The voting member unfortunately (by dint of negligence on the part of the rival club) is the GSDClub of America, which is a member club of AKC. The AKC in turn has a “working relationship” with FCI, similar to that of the UK’s “The Kennel Club”. The other breed club is United Schutzhund Clubs of America, which as the name implies, started as a sports club; it held its first conformation Sieger Show in 1990, if I remember rightly. They prefer the acronym USA, although the SV refers to them as USCA. The GSDCA does not adhere to or even acknowledge the international (WUSV) breed standard, while USA follows in almost every footstep taken by the SV, in all matters. It does not have any relationship with FCI (the FCI works with only one national club per country, as if all countries were socialist in which government “ownership”, control, or sanctions is necessary for validity). As a result, GSDCA leadership, or should I say lack thereof, has caused a noticeable shift in average phenotype in “AKC-Shepherds” away from the international look, the dog that is seen almost everywhere else in the world. This slide started in the late-1960s, when we still had many great-looking but “standard” examples of the breed, but also were seeing many unrepresentative examples being given easy championships (and thus breeding status) at shows judged by an AKC coterie of unknowledgeable judges; these were selected from the ranks of Poodle and Bulldog breeders and others who knew how to read the Standard and pass a written test. Today, the stereotypical AKC Shepherd is anything from a last-place finisher to a laughing stock when it is seen competing in international-type shows under knowledgeable, apprenticeship-trained judges.
Anyway, a flap in USA/USCA circles not many years ago was over whether a person should be permitted to breed according to his knowledge and experience, or meet certain artificial prerequisites laid out by “the breed police” (most of whom have an abysmal lack of experience in anything other than training a dog or two toward a Schutzhund title). A controversy on at least one e-mail “list” has been over some members of their community breeding dogs that are untitled (by which is meant the Schutzhund affix). Some of the novice upstarts have gotten all bent out of shape because a few more experienced people have occasionally bred a bitch or dog without the SchH title. Yet some of them would have no objection to breeding a dog that could only place in the last third or tenth, etc., of its conformation class, as long as it had those magic letters after its name. Even if it could only manage a Koerklasse-2. As long as it had good scores in its trials, especially the bitework part. I know of older, well-versed breeders who are much more qualified and able to make good decisions regarding pairings, and who are castigated for using dogs that would certainly be able to earn those titles, but for good enough reasons have not. Some owners feel the rigors of training late at night in all kinds of weather are not worth the effort and would not tell them anything more about their dogs than they can see in daily life. Some of us live too far away from training clubs (I know of some who drive 4 hours one way to go to training, as I have!) and others do not have a decent protection-phase “helper” to work with. But just let a wealthier “scores-only” compatriot send his dog to Germany (whether for minimal training and a “midnight trial” or not), and that dog is accepted by this group!
My argument with the fringe element in the working-dog community is based on the fact that I do train the dogs I keep, but I am not averse to using an untitled dog if it contributes to the breed and my program. I also make sure they have great character, hips, breed surveys, and anatomy. The only person to whom I have to prove anything is myself. I know what I see, am a darned-good dog psychologist and trainer, and a consultant in canine behavior. Nobody was forced to buy my occasional puppies, but those who do have their own option as to titling. Titles are but tools and proofs, but preserving the breed is done by preserving the best genes and combining them wisely. The titles are merely clothing and badges worn by the genes. I use them, but I do not put them above the dog’s inherent qualities. The important thing is the essence of the dog: the genes, not the uniform, medals, ribbons, accessibility to helpers and training clubs, or other paraphernalia. I get pleasure out of producing good representatives of the breed. Any that I sell and claim to be good Schutzhund potentials will indeed be so. Whether my co-owners or customers actually put the titles on them is secondary. Nice, but not necessary. Titles do not change the dog. Repeat: titles do not change what is in the dog’s character or genes. I have competed & trained intensively since 1966, and have won in conformation with clients’ dogs that never should have won because of character or other flaws, and I likewise have seen innumerable working-titled dogs that should never be in the gene pool. I know how to preserve the breed, and it isn’t by using those fakes.