The Breed Standard
A SHORT HISTORICAL OVERVIEW
As printed in the ANKC Breed Standard
According to the official records of the Breed Club for the German Shepherd Dog (Verein fur Deutsche Schaeferhunde Inc., Augsburg) - (SV), in the Association for German Dog Matters (VDH). The SV, as the founding association of the breed, is responsible for the Standard of the German Shepherd Dog, which was drawn up at the first meeting of members in Frankfurt am Maine on 20 September 1899, on the proposals of A. Meyer and Von Stephanitz. There were supplementary clauses added at the 6th meeting of members on the 28 July 1901, the 23rd Meeting in Cologne in September 1909, the Executive and advisory commission Wiesbaden on 5 September 1930 and the Breed Commission and Executive meeting on 25 March 1961, within the framework of the World Union of German Shepherd Dog Clubs (WUSV). It was revised and confirmed at the WUSV conference on 30 August 1976, revised and catalogued by authorisation and resolution of the Executive and Advisory Committee on 23 March 1991.
The German Shepherd Dog, whose planned breeding commenced in the year 1899, after the founding of the GSD Verein, was bred from the central German and South German strains of the existing herding dogs of those times, with the final goal of creating a working dog, predispositioned to high working aptitude. In order to reach this goal, the Breed Standard was laid down, which relates to the physical attributes as well as to those of temparament and character.
GENERAL APPEARANCE
The German Shepherd Dog is medium sized, slightly elongated, powerful and well muscled, the bones dry and the overall structure firm.
CHARACTERISTICS
Usage All round working, herding and service dog.
TEMPERAMENT
The German Shepherd Dog must be of well balanced temperament, steady of nerve, self assured, absolutely free and easy and (unless provoked) completely good natured, as well as alert and tractable. He must have courage, combative instinct and hardness in order to be suitable as companion, watch, protection, service and herding dog.
DISQUALIFYING FAULTS
Weak character, savageness or nervousness.
Proven "severe HD".
Monorchids and cryptorchids as well as dogs with clearly uneven or atrophied (stunted) testicles.
Disfiguring ear or tail defects.
Deformities.
Dentition faults, missing: 1 Pre-Molar 3 and one further tooth OR 1 Canine OR 1 Pre-Molar 4 OR 1 Molar 1 OR 1 Molar 2 OR 3 or more teeth altogether.
Jaw defects: Undershot 2mm or more Overshot. Level bite in the whole region of the incisors.
More than 1cm over or under size.
Albinism.
White coat colour (even with dark eyes and nails).
Long double coat (Long Stockhaar): Long, wavy, topcoat not lying closely, with undercoat, feathering on ears and legs, bushy breeches and bushy tail forming flags below.
Longcoat: Long, soft top coat without undercoat, usually with a parting down the back, flags on ears, legs and tail.
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