by Yvette Woodward
This page is provided by Schutzhund USA to help you better understand the German Pedigrees.
AD = Ausdaerpruefung, “Endurance Test”: This is a show and breeding requirement to demonstrate that the dog is in good physical shape. The dog must run a total of 12.5 miles at an average speed of 7.7-9.5 mph with tow short rest periods. The judge will examine the dog’s stamina as well as the dog’s pads. Dogs showing signs of fatigue or sore feet cannot pass.
AKC = American Kennel Club: a breed registry that maintains records of purebred dog breedings registered with the organization, and assigns a unique ID number to each dog registered. The AKC does not require a dog to demonstrate utilitarian abilities or conform to the breed standard to be registered as purebred.
AWDF = American Working Dog Federation: Organized in the U.S. in 1989 with the goals of protecting and preserving the utilitarian heritage of working dog breeds.
A-stamp: The SV hip certification system for GSD’s only X-rays of GSD’s as least 12 months old are submitted for evaluation and are scored into one of five possible categories.
SV “a” stamp ratings
a-Normal = Normal
a-Fast Normal = Almost Normal
a-NZ or Noch Zugelassen = Still Permissible
a-Mittlere = Moderately Dysplastic
a-Shwere = Severly Dysplastic
BH = Begleithunde, “Companion Dog”: This is a temperament and obedience evaluation now required as a prerequisite before attempting SchH1. This is not a “title” and in the German system this is not sufficient criteria for pink papers.The evaluation has two parts. The first is a series of obedience exercises, and the second is a temperament evaluation. The team must earn enough points in the first part to attempt the second half of the BH. Although points are measured by the judge, only a “Pass/Fail” rating is awarded.
Breed Survey: Evaluation system for the breed worthiness of a GSD developed in Germany in the early 1900’s.
Prerequisites in USA: minimum age 2 years, passed AD, passed SchH1 or HDH, earned at least a “Good” rating in a conformation show and certified hips. The evaluation includes a temperament test, measurements and weight of the dog compared to the GSD Standard, review both standing and moving, and a dentition check. Dogs are classified as Koer Klasse 1 (recommended for breeding), 2 (suitable for breeding), or the dog may be deemed not suitable for breeding. All titles must be earned under an SV recognized judge (SV or USA) for a SV recognized breed survey. For a USA Breed Survey titles and conformation ratings may be earned under a USA judge.
BSP=Bundessiegerpruefung: The top GSD Schutzhund competition in Germany. This is the toughest SchH competition in the world and dog/handler teams must qualify for the right to participate.
BSZS = Bundessiegerzuchtshau: The top GSD conformation show held annually in Germany. The top male dog is designated the “Sieger” and the top female dog the “Siegerin.” The highest ranked dogs in the Working Dog Classes may be awarded the coveted “VA” (Excellent-Select) conformation rating.
Conformation Show: In a USA conformation show, the dogs are judged for their structure and temperament. Dogs compete in several classes, segregated by sex, age, and titles. The dog’s movement is critiqued in gaiting around the ring, as well as “coming and going” which refers to observation from directly in front of or behind the dog as it gaits,
Dogs are examined while “stacked” – standing in a prescribed posed position and the teeth are inspected for correct number and placement. Dogs are rated into a specific category and then ranked within the rating.
VA – Excellent-Select the highly coveted rating is only awarded at the Sieger Shows to dogs in the Working Class Males and Working Class Females.
V- Excellent dogs that conform to the breed standard, have certified hips and ebows, and have been breed surveyed.
SG – Very Good the highest rating for dogs in the young dog categories (without SchH titles) and also the dogs in the working classes that have some slight Deviations from the standard.
G – Good dogs that have some moderate deviations from the Standard.
B – Sufficient dogs with prominent faults in anatomy or temperament, such as
Gun shy or lacking confidence.
M – Insufficient dogs with severe faults in anatomy or temperament and not Permissible to breed.
Dogs in the (4-12 months) classes are classified into one of three categories, and Then ranked within each rating.
VP – Very Promising
P- Promising
LP – Less Promising
FH 1,2 = Fahrtenhund, “Search Dog”: The FH titles are advanced tracking titles involving long tracks, cross tracks and many aricles over difficult terrain.
HGH = Herdengebrauchshund, “Herding Dog”: This is a sheep-herding evaluation with its root in the origin of the breed: tending sheep in 19th century Germany. The dogs are trained and evaluated in a style of herding called “tending”. While tending the flock, the GSD acts like a “living fence” to move the flock when needed and to keep the sheep out of crop fields adjacent to the pasture. In addition to the herding abilities, the dog’s defensive instincts are tested by a helper staging a mock attack. This title is sufficient criteria for breeding in the German system. If a dog has an HGH an AD and BH are not required for the breed survey.
IPO 1,2,3: Equivalent to SchH 1,2,3 but under International Rules
Koer Klasse (KKL): At a Breed Survey the presiding SV or USA judge, the Koermeister (USA Breed Master), will rank the dogs according to their suitability for breeding: KKL1(recommended for breeding, KKL2 (suitable for breeding), nor not suitable for breeding.
OFA- Orthopedic Foundation for Animals: Established in the US in 1996, a collection of experts in evaluating signs of Canine Hip Dysplasia and Canine Elbow Dysplasia as well as several other lesser known genetic conditions. OFA will grade a dog’s hip x-rays into the following categories: Excellent, Good, Fair, Borderline, Mild Dysplasia, Moderate Dysplasia, and Severe Dysplasia. X-rays taken at less than 24 months of age will be assigned only a “Preliminary” rating- results are not finalized until the dog is at least 2 years old. Elbows are graded as Normal, Borderline, Mild, Moderate, Severe. www.offa.org.
OB 1,2,3: Obedience Evaluation 1,2,3. Dog/Handler teams may choose to attempt only the Obedience portion of the SchH routine.
Pink Papers: Under the German system, GSDs must be titled and breed surveyed before earning full registration and breeding rights. The puppies of such dogs are given pink papers whereas puppies from unregistered breedings are given white papers, even if pure bred GSDs. Dogs with pink papers brought to the US do not automatically receive AKC registration- there is a detailed application process that must be followed.
RH 1,2 = Rettungshund, “Rescue Dog”: This evaluation tests a dog’s suitability for SAR ( Search and Rescue) work. Not only is the dog’s scenting ability tested, but also the temperament of the dog as it is challenged with scenarios that are likely to be encountered in SAR such as unstable footing, traversing debris, and being carried by the handler. Dog/handler teams can achieve advanced RH classifications in a variety of specializations, for example, avalanche search, water search, wilderness search, etc.
Scores: Some evaluations are rated on a Pass/Fail basis only:
BH,AD,WH, rated on a pass/fail basis only.
SchH/VPG/IPO 1,2,3 Are rated on three separate phases each worth a total possible 100 points each. The total score as well as the scores in each phase are divided into the following categories:
V – Vorzuglich, “Excellent,” at least 96% of possible points.
SG – Sehr Gut, “Very Good,” 90-95%
G – Gut, “Good,” 80-89%
B – Befriedigend, “ Satisfactory,” 70-79%
M – Mangelhaft, “Insufficient,” less than 70%
Schutshund= “Protection Dog”: Commonly abbreviated as SchH. Schutzhund can be described as a “triathalon for dogs”, testing a dog’s ability in three phases of performance: tracking, obedience, and protection work. Schutzhund was developed as a breed suitability test for the German Shepherd Dog, to preserve the working heritage of the breed. Schutzhund has evolved into a competitive sport that is open to dogs of all breeds, including mixed-breeds. Three levels of increasing difficulty are offered and a dog must pass all three phases to earn a title.
Sieger Show: The national-level conformation show held annually according to the SV and USA rules. In addition to evaluating individual dogs, there also may be competitions for progeny groups or kennel groups.
SV= Verein fur Deutsche Schaeferhunde, “ Club for the German Shepherd Dog”: The GSD breed registry and breed club in Germany requires dogs to demonstrate their breed-worthiness through Schutzhund and/or Herding trials and Breed Surveys before “pink papers”-comparable to AKC “Full Registration” –are given to the puppies.
TR 1,2,3 = Tracking Evaluation 1,2,3: Dog/Handler teams may choose to attempt only the Tracking Portion of the SchH routine.
TSB = Triebveranlagung, Selbstsicherheit, Belastbarkeit, “Strong temperament, Self-assuredness,Ability to work under pressure”: During the Protection phase the dog is evaluated not only on the technical accuracy of the exercises but also for its courage and hardness. The judge will award on of three possible classification:
TSBa, ausgepraegt, “Pronounced”
TSB vh, vorhanden, “Present or Sufficient”
TSB ng, nicht geneugend, “Insufficient”
USA = the United Schutzhund Clubs of America: The largest Schutzhund affiliation in the US with about 200 clubs in all regions.
WH = Wachhunde, “Watchdog”: This evaluation is not a title per se, but incorporates some of the elements of the Obedience and Protection work. The dog must perform some obedience exercises and then some guarding exercises. The BH is a prerequisite.
WUSV = World Union of German Shepherd Dog Clubs: The global GSD breed club organization.
z-stamp: The SV elbow certification system for GSDs only. X-rays of GSDs at least 12 months old are submitted for evaluation and are scored into the same categories used for hip ratings.
ZW = Zuchtwerte, “Breeding Value”: Under the SV hip program, GSDs are assigned a ZW score according to the probability of producing normal hips based on the dog’s own hip evaluation, the evaluation of the dog’s ancestors, as well as the results of any progeny that have been graded. A GSD with a ZW score of 100 represents the average and the lower the score the better. Under the SV system, puppies are assigned a ZW number at birth that is based on its parents.