Breed Standard for the German
Shepherd Dog (FCI)
The German Shepherd
Dog Association of Western Australia (Inc) adopts under its constitution
and rules, the Breed Standard for the German Shepherd Dog as adopted by
the Canine Association of Western Australia (CAWA), Australian National
Kennel Council (ANKC) and German Shepherd Dog Council of Australia (GSCDA).
These controlling bodies in agreement after research and consultation have
elected to choose the Standard from the country of origin, which is Germany.
This is consistent with the Standard adopted by the international canine
controlling body, the Federation Cynologique Internationale (FCI).
Current Information
- German
Shepherd Dog Breed Standard - Adopted in Australia from 01/10/2009
Due to recent variations in the Breed Standard from the country of origin
(Germany) and the Federation Cynologique
Internationale (FCI), the German Shepherd
Dog Council of Australia (GSDCA) and the Australian
National Kennel Council (ANKC) have adopted that modified FCI Breed Standard in
the form of a new GSDCA translation, which also clarifies the section on colours
and markings for Kennel Control registration purposes.
GERMAN SHEPHERD DOG BREED STANDARD
GSDCA TRANSLATION OF THE COUNTRY OF ORIGIN STANDARD (SV - GERMANY) FOR THE
GERMAN SHEPHERD DOG
FCI Standard:
Germany 23.03.1991
GROUP FIVE:
WORKING DOG GROUP
Purpose:
Working and Utility Dog (Usage:
Versatile
Utility, Herding, Guard and Service Dog).
SHORT
HISTORICAL OVERVIEW
According to the official records of the Verein fur Deutsche
Schaferhunde (SV) (The German Shepherd Dog Club in Germany) with its
headquarters in Augsburg, the standard was originally developed at the first
meeting of members in Frankfurt am Main on 20th September 1899 based
on the proposals of A Meyer and M von Stephanitz. The next step was to have the
breed standard accepted by the VDH (German Kennel Club).
Amendments were made to the standard during the 6th
meeting of the association on the 28th July 1901, during the 23rd
meeting in Cologne on the 17th September 1909, by the Board of
Directors and Advisory Committee in Wiesbaden on the 5th September
1930, and at the Board of Directors and Breed Committee meeting on 25th
March 1961. Within the framework of the World Union of German Shepherd Dog Clubs
(WUSV), it was revised and confirmed at the WUSV meeting on 30th
August 1976 and reviewed, catalogued by authorisation and resolution of the
Executive and Advisory Committee on 23rd March 1991.
The German Shepherd Dog, whose planned breeding commenced in the
year 1899 after the founding of the German Shepherd Dog Club in Germany, was
bred from central German and southern German strains of existing herding dogs
with a final goal of creating a working dog predisposed to a high working
aptitude. In order to reach this goal the breed standard was laid down which
relates to physical attributes as well as those of temperament and character.
GENERAL APPEARANCE
The German
Shepherd Dog is medium size, slightly elongated, strong and well muscled, the
bones are dry and the overall construction firm.
IMPORTANT
MEASUREMENTS AND PROPORTIONS
The height of
withers for males 60cms to 65cms, for females 55cms to 60cms. The length of body
is greater than the height at withers by approximately 10 to 17%.
TEMPERAMENT/ CHARACTER
The German Shepherd Dog must be of well balanced temperament,
steady of nerves, self assured, totally at ease (except when provoked) and good
natured as well as attentive and easy to train. He must possess instinctive
drive, resilience and self confidence in order to be suitable as a companion,
watch dog, protection, service and herding dog.
HEAD
The head is wedge-shaped, proportionate in size to the body,
(length of head about 40% of height of withers) without being coarse or too
elongated, in overall appearance dry and moderately broad between the ears. The
forehead is only slightly domed when viewed from front and the side and without
any or only slightly indicated central furrow.
The proportion of the skull to muzzle is 50% to
50%. The breadth of the skull corresponds approximately to its length.
The skull (viewed from above) tapers evenly from the ears to the nose with a
sloping, not sharply defined stop, into the wedge shaped foreface (muzzle).
Upper and lower jaws are strongly developed. The top of the muzzle is straight,
a dish faced or convex curve is not desired. The lips are tight, well fitted and
of a dark colour.
The nose
must
be black.
The dentition
must be strong,
healthy and complete (42 teeth conforming to the dentition formula) the German
Shepherd Dog has a scissor bite that is, the incisors must fit scissor-like to
each other so that the incisors of the upper jaw overlap those of the lower jaw
in a scissor fashion. Level, over or undershot bites are faulty, as well as
large gaps between the teeth. It is a fault when the incisors are placed in a
straight line in the gums. The jawbones must be strongly developed so that the
teeth are embedded deeply in the gum line.
The eyes
are of medium size,
almond shaped, slightly oblique and not protruding. The colour of the eyes
should be as dark as possible. Light piercing eyes are not desirable as they
detract from the expression of the dog.
EARS
The German Shepherd Dog has erect ears of medium size that are
carried upright and almost parallel (not tilted inwards). They taper to a point
and are set with the orifice to the front. Tipped ears and drop ears are faulty.
Ears carried laid back, during gaiting or when at rest are not faulty.
NECK
The neck
should be strong, and well muscled and free from throatiness (dewlap) the angle
to the body (horizontal) is approximately 45 degrees.
BODY
The topline flows from the set on of the neck, over the high long
withers and over the straight back to the slightly sloping croup without a
noticeable break. The back is moderately long, firm, strong and well muscled.
The loin is broad, short, strongly developed and well muscled. The croup should
be long and slightly sloping (approximately 23 degrees to the horizontal) into
the set on of the tail without disruption to the topline.
The chest
should be moderately broad; the underchest is as long as possible and well
developed. The depth of chest should be approximately 45% to 48% of the height
at the withers.
The ribs
should be moderately
sprung, barrel-chested is equally faulty as slab sided.
The tail
extends to at least
the hock joint, however, not beyond the middle of the rear pastern. It has
slightly longer hair on the underside and is carried in a gentle hanging curve
when relaxed. It can be carried higher when excited or during movement but not
above the horizontal. Corrective surgery is forbidden.
LIMBS
FOREQUARTER
The forelegs
are straight
viewed from all sides, and when viewed from front must be absolutely parallel.
The shoulder
blade and upper arm are of equal length and firmly attached to the body with
strong musculature. The angulation of the upper arm and shoulder blade ideally
should be at 90 degrees, but generally up to 110 degrees.
The elbows
must
be neither turned in nor turned out while in stance or in movement. The forearms
when viewed from all sides are straight and absolutely parallel, dry and firmly
muscled. The pastern is approximately one third of the length of the forearm and
has an angle of approximately 20 degrees to 22 degrees to the forearm. Both
infirm (more than 22 degrees) as well as steep pasterns (less than 20 degrees)
restrict the working ability of the dog and in particular its endurance.
The feet
are
rounded, well closed and arched. The pads are hard but not inflexible. The nails
are strong and dark in colour.
HINDQUARTER
The position of the hind legs is slightly set back, when viewed
from rear the hind legs are parallel to each other. Upper and lower thighs are
of almost equal length and form an angle of approximately 120 degrees, the
thighs are strong and well muscled.
The hock
joints
are well developed and firm, the rear pasterns stand
perpendicular under the hock joint.
The feet
are
closed, slightly arched; the pads are hard and dark in colour. The nails are
strong, arched and dark in colour.
MOVEMENT
The German Shepherd Dog is a trotter. The limbs must be of such
length and angulation that the hindquarter may be thrust well forward under the
body and the forequarter reaches equally far forward without noticeable change
to the backline.
Any tendency towards over-angulation of the hindquarter decreases
the firmness and endurance and therefore the dog’s utmost working ability.
Correct structural proportions and angulations result in a ground covering, low
to the ground movement that gives the impression of effortless forward
propulsion. With the head pushed forward and a slightly raised tail, an even,
balanced and smooth trot, results in a gently curving and unbroken topline,
running from the tips of the ears and over the neck and back through to the end
of the tail.
SKIN
The skin is
(loosely) fitting without forming folds.
COAT
Properties
of the coat
The
correct coat of the German Shepherd Dog is a double coat (stock hair) with
undercoat. The top coat should be as dense as possible, straight, harsh and
close lying. It should be short on the head, including inside the ears, the
front of the legs, and on the feet and toes; it is a little longer and heavier
coated on the neck. The hair lengthens on the back of the legs to the pasterns
or hock joints; and on the back of the thighs it forms moderate breeching.
COLOUR
Black with reddish tan, black/tan, black/gold to light grey
markings. All black, Grey (commonly known as
sables) with dark shadings; black saddle and mask. Unobtrusive small white
markings on chest as well as very light colour on insides of legs permissible
but not desirable. The nose must be black in all colour types. Lacking mask,
light to piercing eyes, as well as light to whitish markings on chest and inner
sides of the legs, light nails and red tip of tail are to be rated as lacking in
pigment. The undercoat is of a light grey toning. The colour white is not
permitted.
SIZE - WEIGHT
Males:
Height at withers 60-65 cm
Weight
30-40 kg
Females: Height at withers 55-60 cm
Weight
22-32 kg
TESTICLES
Males must
have two normally developed testicles fully descended in the scrotum.
FAULTS
Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a
fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in
exact proportion to its degree.
MAJOR
FAULTS
-
All deviations from
the above described breed characteristics that impair the working ability of
the dog.
-
Ear Faults:
Laterally too low set ears, tipped ears, inward tilted ears, ears that
are not firm.
-
Severe lack of
pigmentation.
-
Severe lack in
overall firmness.
DENTITION
FAULTS
-
All deviations from
a scissor bite and the dentition formula as far as it does not concern
disqualifying faults (see below)
DISQUALIFYING
FAULTS
a)
Weak
character, aggression without provocation or nervousness.
b)
Dogs
with proven severe Hip Dysplasia.
c)
Monorchids and cryptorchids, as well as dogs with clearly uneven or atrophied
(stunted) testicles.
d)
Disfiguring ear or tail defects.
e)
Dogs
with deformities.
f)
Dogs
with missing teeth as follows:-
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.
g) Dogs
with jaw defects:-
Overshot 2mm or more.
Undershot.
Level bite in whole of the incisor area.
h) Dogs
that are more than 1cm over or under size.
i) Albinism.
j) White
coat colour (even with dark eyes and nails).
k) Long
double coat (Long Stockhaar): Long, soft, topcoat not lying closely, with
undercoat, feathering on ears and legs, bushy breeches and bushy tail forming
flags below.
l) Longcoat:
Long, soft top coat without undercoat, usually with a parting down the middle of
the back, flags on ears and legs and tail.
ANKC Format
(Website) - German
Shepherd Dog Breed Standard - Adopted in Australia from 01/10/2009
The Australian National Kennel Council (ANKC) publishes Breed Standards for all
the different Breeds that are registered in Australia. Those Breed Standards are
presented in consistent formats (order of sections) to provide ease of content
comparisons and facilitate student learning. Standards for all Breeds are
available on the ANKC's website, refer to <
www.ankc.org.au > .
|
Breed: |
German Shepherd Dog
|
|
Group: |
Group 5 (Working Dogs)
|
|
History: |
According to the official records of the Verein fur
Deutsche Schaferhunde (SV) (The German Shepherd Dog Club in
Germany) with its
headquarters in Augsburg, the standard was originally developed at the first
meeting of members in Frankfurt am Main on 20th September 1899 based on the proposals of A Meyer and M von Stephanitz. The next step
was to have the breed standard accepted by the VDH (German Kennel Club).
Amendments were made to the standard during the 6th meeting of
the association on the 28th July 1901, during the 23rd meeting in
Cologne on the
17th September 1909,
by the Board of Directors and Advisory Committee in
Wiesbaden
on the 5th September 1930, and at the Board of Directors and
Breed Committee meeting on
25th March 1961. Within the framework of the World Union of
German Shepherd Dog Clubs (WUSV), it was revised and confirmed at the WUSV
meeting on 30th August 1976 and reviewed, catalogued by
authorisation and resolution of the Executive and Advisory Committee on 23rd
March 1991.
The German Shepherd Dog, whose planned breeding commenced
in the year 1899 after the founding of the German Shepherd Dog Club in
Germany, was bred
from central German and southern German strains of existing herding dogs
with a final goal of creating a working dog predisposed to a high working
aptitude. In order to reach this goal the breed standard was laid down which
relates to physical attributes as well as those of temperament and
character.
|
|
General Appearance: |
The
German Shepherd Dog is medium size, slightly elongated, strong and well
muscled, the bones are dry and the overall construction firm.
The
length of the body is greater than the height at the withers by about 10 to
17%.
|
|
Characteristics: |
Purpose and Usage:
Versatile Utility, Herding, Guard and Service Dog.
|
|
Temperament: |
The German Shepherd Dog must be of well balanced
temperament, steady of nerves, self assured, totally at ease (except when
provoked) and good natured as well as attentive and easy to train. He must
possess instinctive drive, resilience and self confidence in order to be
suitable as a companion, watch dog, protection, service and herding dog.
|
|
Head and Skull: |
The head is wedge-shaped, proportionate in size to the
body, (length of head about 40% of height of withers) without being coarse
or too elongated, in overall appearance dry and moderately broad between the
ears. The forehead is only slightly domed when viewed from front and the
side and without any or only slightly indicated central furrow.
The proportion of the skull to muzzle is 50% to 50%. The
breadth of the skull corresponds approximately to its length. The skull
(viewed from above) tapers evenly from the ears to the nose with a sloping,
not sharply defined stop, into the wedge shaped foreface (muzzle). Upper and
lower jaws are strongly developed. The top of the muzzle is straight, a dish
faced or convex curve is not desired. The lips are tight, well fitted and of
a dark colour.
The
nose must be
black.
|
|
Eyes: |
The eyes
are of medium size, almond
shaped, slightly oblique and not protruding. The colour of the eyes should
be as dark as possible. Light piercing eyes are not desirable as they
detract from the expression of the dog.
|
|
Ears: |
The German Shepherd Dog has erect ears of medium size that
are carried upright and almost parallel (not tilted inwards). They taper to
a point and are set with the orifice to the front. Tipped ears and drop ears
are faulty. Ears carried laid back, during gaiting or when at rest are not
faulty.
|
|
Mouth: |
The dentition
must be strong, healthy and
complete (42 teeth conforming to the dentition formula) the German Shepherd
Dog has a scissor bite that is, the incisors must fit scissor-like to each
other so that the incisors of the upper jaw overlap those of the lower jaw
in a scissor fashion. Level, over or undershot bites are faulty, as well as
large gaps between the teeth. It is a fault when the incisors are placed in
a straight line in the gums. The jawbones must be strongly developed so that
the teeth are embedded deeply in the gum line.
|
|
Neck: |
The neck should be strong, and well muscled and free from throatiness (dewlap)
the angle to the body (horizontal) is approximately 45 degrees.
|
|
Forequarters: |
The forelegs
are straight viewed
from all sides, and when viewed from front must be absolutely parallel.
The shoulder blade and upper arm are of equal length and
firmly attached to the body with strong musculature. The angulation of the
upper arm and shoulder blade ideally should be at 90 degrees, but generally
up to 110 degrees.
The elbows
must be neither turned in
nor turned out while in stance or in movement. The forearms when viewed from
all sides are straight and absolutely parallel, dry and firmly muscled. The
pastern is approximately one third of the length of the forearm and has an
angle of approximately 20 degrees to 22 degrees to the forearm. Both infirm
(more than 22 degrees) as well as steep pasterns (less than 20 degrees)
restrict the working ability of the dog and in particular its endurance.
|
|
Body: |
The topline flows from the set on of the neck, over the
high long withers and over the straight back to the slightly sloping croup
without a noticeable break. The back is moderately long, firm, strong and
well muscled. The loin is broad, short, strongly developed and well muscled.
The croup should be long and slightly sloping (approximately 23 degrees to
the horizontal) into the set on of the tail without disruption to the
topline.
The chest
should be moderately broad; the underchest is as long as possible and well
developed. The depth of chest should be approximately 45% to 48% of the
height at the withers.
The
ribs should be
moderately sprung, barrel-chested is equally faulty as slab sided.
|
|
Hindquarters: |
The position of the hind legs is slightly set back, when
viewed from rear the hind legs are parallel to each other. Upper and lower
thighs are of almost equal length and form an angle of approximately 120
degrees, the thighs are strong and well muscled.
The hock joints
are well developed and
firm, the rear pasterns stand perpendicular under the hock joint.
|
|
Feet: |
The
front feet are
rounded, well closed and arched. The pads are hard but not inflexible. The
nails are strong and dark in colour.
The hind feet
are closed slightly arched;
the pads are hard and dark in colour. The nails are strong, arched and dark
in colour.
|
|
Tail: |
The tail
extends to at least the
hock joint, however, not beyond the middle of the rear pastern. It has
slightly longer hair on the underside and is carried in a gentle hanging
curve when relaxed. It can be carried higher when excited or during movement
but not above the horizontal. Corrective surgery is forbidden.
|
|
Gait/Movement: |
The German Shepherd Dog is a trotter. The limbs must be of
such length and angulation that the hindquarter may be thrust well forward
under the body and the forequarter reaches equally far forward without
noticeable change to the backline.
Any tendency towards over-angulation of the hindquarter
decreases the firmness and endurance and therefore the dog’s utmost working
ability. Correct structural proportions and angulations result in a ground
covering, low to the ground movement that gives the impression of effortless
forward propulsion. With the head pushed forward and a slightly raised tail,
an even, balanced and smooth trot, results in a gently curving and unbroken
topline, running from the tips of the ears and over the neck and back
through to the end of the tail.
|
|
Coat: |
The
skin is (loosely) fitting without forming folds.
The correct coat of the German Shepherd Dog is a double
coat (stock hair) with undercoat. The top coat should be as dense as
possible, straight, harsh and close lying. It should be short on the head,
including inside the ears, the front of the legs, and on the feet and toes;
it is a little longer and heavier coated on the neck. The hair lengthens on
the back of the legs to the pasterns or hock joints; and on the back of the
thighs it forms moderate breeching.
|
|
Colour: |
Black
with reddish tan, Black/tan Black/gold to light grey markings. All black,
Grey (commonly known as sables) with dark shadings; black saddle and mask.
Unobtrusive small white markings on chest as well as very light colour on
insides of legs permissible but not desirable. The nose must be black in all
colour types. Lacking mask, light to piercing eyes, as well as light to
whitish markings on chest and inner sides of the legs, light nails and red
tip of tail are to be rated as lacking in pigment. The undercoat is of a
light grey toning. The colour white is not permitted.
|
|
Sizes: |
Dogs: Height at withers 60-65
cm
Weight 30-40 kg
Bitches: Height at withers 55-60 cm
Weight 22-30 kg
The length of body is greater than the height at withers by approximately
10-17%.
|
|
Faults: |
Any departure from the foregoing points should be
considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be
regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree.
MAJOR FAULTS
All deviations from
the above
described breed characteristics that impair the working ability of the dog.
Ear Faults: Laterally too low set ears,
tipped ears, inward tilted ears, ears that are not firm.
Severe lack of pigmentation.
Severe lack in overall firmness.
DENTITION FAULTS
·
All
deviations from a scissor bite and the dentition formula as far as it does
not concern disqualifying faults (see below).
DISQUALIFYING FAULTS
a)
Weak
character, aggression without provocation or nervousness.
b)
Dogs with
proven severe Hip Dysplasia.
c)
Monorchids
and cryptorchids, as well as dogs with clearly uneven or atrophied (stunted)
testicles.
d)
Disfiguring
ear or tail defects.
e)
Dogs with
deformities.
f)
Dogs with
missing teeth as follows:-
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.
g)
Dogs with jaw
defects:-
Overshot 2mm or more.
Undershot.
Level bite in whole of the incisor area.
h)
Dogs that are
more than 1cm over or under size.
i)
Albinism.
j)
White coat
colour (even with dark eyes and nails).
k)
Long double
coat (Long Stockhaar): Long, soft, topcoat not lying closely, with
undercoat, feathering on ears and legs, bushy breeches and bushy tail
forming flags below.
l)
Longcoat:
Long, soft top coat without undercoat, usually with a parting down the
middle of the back, flags on ears and legs and tail.
|
|
Note: |
Male animals should have two
normally developed testicles fully descended into the scrotum. |
|
|
Historical
Information Only - German
Shepherd Dog Breed Standard - Used in Australia from 01/01/1994 to 30/09/2009
Australian National
Kennel Council (ANKC)
German
Shepherd Dog
F.C.I. Standard
No 166 dated 23/3/91.
Adopted in Australia
1/1/94.
Country of Origin
- Germany
A SHORT HISTORICAL
OVERVIEW - 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 20th September 1899, on the proposals
of A. Meyer and Von Stephanitz. There were supplementary clauses
added at the 6th meeting of members on 28th July 1901, the 23rd Meeting
in Cologne in September 1909, the Executive and advisory commission Wiesbaden
on 5th September, 1930, and the Breed Commission and Executive meeting
on 25th 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 30th August 1976, revised and catalogued by authorisation and resolution
of the Executive and Advisory Committee on 23rd 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, predisposed 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 temperament 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.
Important Proportions:
The height of withers:
for dogs is 60-65
cm (23½ - 25½ ins), and
for bitches 55-60
cm (21½ - 23½ ins).
The length of the
body is greater than the height at the withers by about 10 to 17%.
CHARACTERISTICS
- Usage: All round working, herding and service dog.
(See also under General
Appearance and Temperament.)
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.
HEAD AND SKULL
- The head is wedge shaped, proportionate in size to the body, (length
of head about 40% of the height at withers) without being coarse or over
long; in overall appearance dry, and moderately broad between the ears.
The forehead is only slightly domed viewed from the front and from the
side, and without any, or only slightly indicated, central furrow.
The ratio of skull to muzzle is 50:50. The breadth of the skull corresponds
approximately to its length. The skull, viewed from above, tapers
evenly from the ears to the nose, with a sloping, not sharply defined,
stop, into the wedge-shaped foreface (muzzle). Upper and lower jaws
are strongly developed. The bridge of the nose is straight, a dishfaced
or convex curve is not desired. The lips are tight, well fitting
and of a dark colour. The Nose: Must be black.
EYES - Are medium
sized, almond shaped, slightly oblique and not protruding. The colour
of the eyes should be as dark as possible. Light, piercing eyes are
not desirable as they detract from the expression of the dog.
EARS - The German
Shepherd Dog has erect ears of medium size, that are carried upright and
almost parallel (not pulled inwards). They run to a point and are
set with the orifice to the front. Tipped ears and drop ears are
faulty. Ears carried laid back during gaiting or when at rest are
not faulty.
MOUTH - The
dentition must be strong, healthy and complete (42 teeth, in accordance
with the dentition formula). The German Shepherd Dog has a scissor
bite, that is, the incisors must connect like scissors, so that the incisors
of the upper jaw cut scissor-like over those of the lower jaw. Level,
over- or undershot bites are faulty, as well as large gaps between the
teeth. It is also a fault when the incisors are placed in a straight
line in the gums. The jawbones must be strongly developed, so that
the teeth are embedded deeply in the gumline.
NECK - The neck
should be strong, well muscled and free from throatiness (dewlap).
The angle to the body (horizontal) is about 45 degrees (during stance).
FOREQUARTERS
- The forelegs are straight viewed from all sides, absolutely parallel
viewed from the front. Shoulder blade and upper arm are of equal
length and firmly attached to the body with strong musculation. The
angulation of shoulder blade and upper arm is, in the ideal case, 90 degrees,
but as a rule 110 degrees. The elbows should be neither turned out
nor pinched in, either in stance or during movement. The forearm
should be straight viewed from all sides, and stand absolutely parallel,
dry and firmly muscled. The pastern is approximately 1/3 of the length
of the forearm, and has an angle of approximately 20 to 22 degrees to the
forearm. Too sloping pasterns (more than 22 degrees) and too steep
pasterns (less than 20 degrees) diminish the dog's working ability, and
especially its endurance.
BODY - The topline
flows from the set on of neck over the well defined withers and over the
back, sloping very slightly from the horizontal to the slightly sloping
croup without a noticeable break. The back is firm, strong and well
muscled. The loin is broad, strongly developed and well muscled.
The croup should be long and gently sloping (approximately 23 degrees to
the horizontal) into the set on of tail, without disrupting the topline.
The Chest: Should
be moderately broad, the underchest as long as possible and well developed.
The depth of chest should be about 45% to 48% of the height at the withers.
The Ribs: Should be
moderately sprung. Barrel chested is as equally faulty as is slab
sided.
HINDQUARTERS
- The position of the hindlegs is slightly set back, whereby the hindlimbs,
viewed from the back, stand parallel to each other. Upper and lower
thighs are of almost equal length and form an angle of about 120 degrees;
the thighs are strong and well muscled. The hocks are well developed
and firm; the rear pastern stands perpendicular under the hock.
FEET - The front
feet are rounded, well closed and arched. The hind feet are closed,
and slightly arched. The pads are hard but not rough, and of dark
colour. The nails are strong, arched and of dark colour.
TAIL - Reaches
at least to the hock, however, not below the middle of the rear pastern.
It is slightly longer haired on the underside, and is carried curving down
gently, higher in excitement and during movement, but not above the horizontal.
Corrective operations are forbidden.
GAIT/MOVEMENT
- The German Shepherd Dog is a trotter. The limbs must be of such
length and angulation that the hindquarters may be thrust well forward
under the body, and the forequarters reach equally far forward, without
noticeable change in the topline. Any tendency towards overangulation
of the hindquarters lessens their firmness and endurance, and thus the
dog's utmost working ability. With correct structural proportions
and angulations, a roomy, smooth, ground covering gait results, that gives
the impression of effortless forward propulsion. With the head pushed
forward, and a slightly raised tail, an even and calm trot results in a
softly curving and unbroken topline, running from tips of the ears, over
the neck and back, to the tip of the tail.
COAT - The skin
fits loosely, but without forming folds. The correct coat of the
German Shepherd Dog is a double coat (Stockhaar) with undercoat.
The top coat should be as dense as possible, straight, harsh and close
lying. It should be short on the head, including inside the ears,
the front of the legs and on the feet and toes; it is a little longer and
heavier coated on the neck. The hair lengthens on the back of the
legs to the pastern or hock; on the back of the thighs it forms moderate
breeching.
COLOUR - Black
with reddish tan, tan, gold to light grey markings. All black, and
all grey; in greys with dark shadings, black saddle and mask. Unobtrusive,
small white markings on chest as well as very light colour on insides of
legs permissible but not desirable. The nose must be black in all
colour types. Lacking mask, light to piercing eyes, as well as whitish
markings on chest and inner sides of legs, light nails and red tip of tail
are to be rated as lacking in pigment. The undercoat is of a light
grey toning.
The colour white is
not permitted.
SIZE:
Dogs:
Height at withers 60-65 cm (23½ - 25½ ins)
Weight 30-40 kg (66-88 lbs)
Bitches: Height
at withers 55-60 cm (21½ - 23½ ins)
Weight 22-32 kg (48-71 lbs).
FAULTS - Any
departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the
seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact
proportion to its degree.
Major Faults:
Deviations from the
above described Breed Standard that impair the working ability.
Ear Faults: Too low
set at the sides, tipped ears, inward tilted ears, ears not firm.
Considerable pigment
deficiencies.
Strongly impaired
overall firmness.
Dentition Faults:
All deviations from a scissor bite and the dentition formula, as
far as it does not concern disqualifying faults. (See below)
Disqualifying Faults:
Weak character, savageness
or nervousness.
Proven "severe H.D".
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: Overshot
2mm or more. Undershot. 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 and legs and tail.
NOTE - Male animals should
have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.
Working Dog Group
A.N.K.C. © January 1998
Australian National
Kennel Council (ANKC)
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