What should we What should we look for in a look for in a

German German ShepherdShepherd

Maren von der Heyde – NBS 2012

The German Shepherd Dog has become a The German Shepherd Dog has become a concept worldwide for dependability , concept worldwide for dependability , faithfulness , and many versatile uses . faithfulness , and many versatile uses . Also the dog can be used as a service dog , Also the dog can be used as a service dog , protection dog , herding dog , tracking dog protection dog , herding dog , tracking dog , guide dog for the blind , and rescue dog , , guide dog for the blind , and rescue dog , to mention only some of the possibilities . to mention only some of the possibilities . The extent of the uses has become so great The extent of the uses has become so great that all of them cannot be mentioned .that all of them cannot be mentioned .

It is a credit to the goodwill of the dog and It is a credit to the goodwill of the dog and the skill of the breeder that the field of use the skill of the breeder that the field of use of the German Shepherd Dog is so large .of the German Shepherd Dog is so large .

The German Shepherd Dog The German Shepherd Dog is a WORKING DOG is a WORKING DOG

These eight words form the basis for These eight words form the basis for working with the dog , judging the working with the dog , judging the dog , and thinking about breeding, in dog , and thinking about breeding, in short , for all the effort we put in the short , for all the effort we put in the dog .dog .

So you can see how useful it is in So you can see how useful it is in judging the structure to keep in judging the structure to keep in mind the achievement and uses of mind the achievement and uses of the dog .the dog .

To be a working dog means that the dog must be To be a working dog means that the dog must be so structured and bred that with minimum so structured and bred that with minimum expenditure of energy the dog can produce the expenditure of energy the dog can produce the greatest level of performance .greatest level of performance .

Therefore , the structure must be in harmony , Therefore , the structure must be in harmony , with no exaggeration or understatement in the with no exaggeration or understatement in the angulation , size , weight , or chest structure .angulation , size , weight , or chest structure .

For this reason , the German Shepherd can only For this reason , the German Shepherd can only be judged , and the characteristics of the breed be judged , and the characteristics of the breed demand that it be judged , as a working dog .demand that it be judged , as a working dog .

Functionality is above beauty and fashion .Functionality is above beauty and fashion .

His real beauty and nobility are in complete His real beauty and nobility are in complete functionality , in the harmonious relationship of functionality , in the harmonious relationship of all parts .all parts .

The judge should be cautious in leaving The judge should be cautious in leaving out specific faults or virtues but should out specific faults or virtues but should weigh them if flaws are of extreme weigh them if flaws are of extreme importance for the work-use of the dog importance for the work-use of the dog ..

In viewing your dog it should be In viewing your dog it should be immediately evident as to the sex of immediately evident as to the sex of your dog . A male should look like a your dog . A male should look like a male and a female like a female .male and a female like a female .

At the first general overview , the judge At the first general overview , the judge should consider at first the general should consider at first the general condition , sexual characteristics , condition , sexual characteristics , character , strength , expression , character , strength , expression , symmetry , nobility , constitution and symmetry , nobility , constitution and condition .condition .

SizeSizeThe German Shepherd belongs to the medium The German Shepherd belongs to the medium

sized breeds , which means that it is sized breeds , which means that it is approximately 60 cm high at the withers , the approximately 60 cm high at the withers , the males measuring 60-65 cm and the females males measuring 60-65 cm and the females 55-60 cm .55-60 cm .

The ideal measurements are : 63 cm for males The ideal measurements are : 63 cm for males and 58 cm for females .and 58 cm for females .

The withers are the only point where height is The withers are the only point where height is measured in a dog . The animal is measured measured in a dog . The animal is measured standing evenly on all fours , and is measured standing evenly on all fours , and is measured at the highest point of the withers , with the at the highest point of the withers , with the hair pushed down , vertically downwards , hair pushed down , vertically downwards , touching the elbow , to the ground .touching the elbow , to the ground .

Giants are not agileGiants are not agilePerformance and use require specific degree of Performance and use require specific degree of

size and strength .size and strength .If the dog is oversized , he is either too heavy If the dog is oversized , he is either too heavy

because increased size means increased weight because increased size means increased weight over proportional , or he is long legged , which over proportional , or he is long legged , which means he has a poor chest structure and steep means he has a poor chest structure and steep ankles .ankles .

Too large and too heavy dogs have too much Too large and too heavy dogs have too much weight . It is too difficult for them to stop , jump weight . It is too difficult for them to stop , jump and climb .Besides , they are mostly unwilling to and climb .Besides , they are mostly unwilling to work and tire easily .work and tire easily .

Long legged dogs are even more restricted in Long legged dogs are even more restricted in performance. The poor angulation causes them performance. The poor angulation causes them to not be fluid in motion .In addition to this to not be fluid in motion .In addition to this comes insufficient chest structure , insufficient comes insufficient chest structure , insufficient room for organs , and fine bones .room for organs , and fine bones .

Small dogsSmall dogs

With too small dogs , even with harmonious structure With too small dogs , even with harmonious structure , strength is missing . They are fine-boned , they , strength is missing . They are fine-boned , they are fast and flexible , but they have little endurance are fast and flexible , but they have little endurance ..

Or , they have the right amount of strength , but the Or , they have the right amount of strength , but the leg bones are too short . The chest is then too leg bones are too short . The chest is then too deep , and they have little reach and a rolling gait .deep , and they have little reach and a rolling gait .

The requirements for use – strength , The requirements for use – strength , endurance , flexibility and speed – can endurance , flexibility and speed – can

only be achieved by medium sized dogs .only be achieved by medium sized dogs .

The German Shepherd Dog The German Shepherd Dog is a mover !is a mover !

Therefore he has a sufficiently stretched Therefore he has a sufficiently stretched posture .posture .

The relationship of height to length is 9 to 10 .The relationship of height to length is 9 to 10 .

If the dog is shorter he tires faster in trotting If the dog is shorter he tires faster in trotting and tends to gallop .and tends to gallop .

Long legged animals can only partially use Long legged animals can only partially use rear quarter strength , and tend to have rear quarter strength , and tend to have weak backs .weak backs .

The weightThe weightMedium heavy males weigh : 37- 40 kgMedium heavy males weigh : 37- 40 kg

Medium heavy females weigh : 29 – 32 kgMedium heavy females weigh : 29 – 32 kg

Distribution of weight :Distribution of weight :

Muscles 53%Muscles 53%

Bones 14%Bones 14%

Coat 12%Coat 12%

Blood 8%Blood 8%

Organs , fat etc.. 13%Organs , fat etc.. 13%

The strength of the dog lies primarily in The strength of the dog lies primarily in muscles and bones . The bone structure muscles and bones . The bone structure should be firm and dry .should be firm and dry .

53%

14%

12%

8%

13%

muscles

bones

coat

blood

organs , fat etc…

53%

14%

12%

8%

13%

muscles

bones

coat

blood

organs , fat etc…

The coatThe coat

The German Shepherd has a pronounced The German Shepherd has a pronounced outer coat with a dense , firm inner coat .outer coat with a dense , firm inner coat .

Too short a coat exposes the dog to the Too short a coat exposes the dog to the elements .elements .

Too long hair with no undercoat allows the Too long hair with no undercoat allows the dog to become wet too fast , and exposes dog to become wet too fast , and exposes him to matting ( which can be torn when him to matting ( which can be torn when going through underbrush ) . Dogs with going through underbrush ) . Dogs with long hair and no undercoat cannot be bred long hair and no undercoat cannot be bred ..

The pigmentThe pigment

In the entire breeding science of In the entire breeding science of service animals , the fading of colors service animals , the fading of colors is tied in with the lack of inner is tied in with the lack of inner structure and lack of resistance structure and lack of resistance against illness .Signs of fading are against illness .Signs of fading are light insides of legs , light toenails light insides of legs , light toenails and red tail tips .and red tail tips .

The lines of the dogThe lines of the dogThe lines shall be in harmony .The lines shall be in harmony .

The top line begins at the ear tips , The top line begins at the ear tips , and continues without a sharp bend and continues without a sharp bend or break , gently falling to the tail tip or break , gently falling to the tail tip ..

The underline begins at the neck and The underline begins at the neck and leads across the front and lower leads across the front and lower chest with a slight tuck up towards chest with a slight tuck up towards the back .the back .

The tailThe tail

The tail is carried saber like , hanging downward . Even in excitement it shall not be raised above the line of the back .

The tail can be anywhere from 18 – 23 vertebrae long , but it should not touch the ground when standing . Flaws in the holding of the tail are especially noticeable when the dog is moving .

The genitalsThe genitals

The genitals in bitches do not require any special The genitals in bitches do not require any special judging .judging .

In males , judging is to notice if they are strongly In males , judging is to notice if they are strongly developed .developed .

The testicles must be visible , strongly developed , The testicles must be visible , strongly developed , and well placed . The missing one or both testicles and well placed . The missing one or both testicles or if one is insufficiently developed , designates or if one is insufficiently developed , designates that there is to be no breeding of the male .that there is to be no breeding of the male .

Such a flaw is a sign that the body does not produce Such a flaw is a sign that the body does not produce enough hormones . This is an inherited trait .enough hormones . This is an inherited trait .

TeethTeeth

Puppies have 28 first or “milk teeth” . The molars Puppies have 28 first or “milk teeth” . The molars and premolars are missing .and premolars are missing .

The second set , or adult set , consists of 42 teeth .The second set , or adult set , consists of 42 teeth .Upper jaw – 20 ; lower jaw – 22 :Upper jaw – 20 ; lower jaw – 22 :6 incisors , upper and lower 126 incisors , upper and lower 122 canines , upper and lower 42 canines , upper and lower 48 premolars , upper and lower 168 premolars , upper and lower 164 upper molars 44 upper molars 46 lower molars 66 lower molars 6 total 42total 42The crushing teeth are the no 4 premolars The crushing teeth are the no 4 premolars

( upper ) and the no 1 molars ( lower ) . Between ( upper ) and the no 1 molars ( lower ) . Between those a pressure of 1.65 kg per square cm can be those a pressure of 1.65 kg per square cm can be produced .produced .