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 befor 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 temperatment 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 survery: Evaluation system for the breed worthiness of a GSD developed in Germany in the early 1900’s. Prerequisites 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 denitition 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 tites must be earned under an SV recognized judge (SV or USA) for a SV recognized breed survey.

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.

BSNS = 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” (Excelent-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” 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.

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 to 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.

Koar Klasse (KKL): At a Breed Survey the presiding SV or the Koermeister, will rank the dogs according to their suitability for breeding: KKL1 (recommended for breeding, KKL2 (suitable for breeding), nor not suitable for breeding.

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.

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 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 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%

Schutshumd – “Protection Dog”: Commonly abbreviated as SchH. Schutzhund can be described as a “Triathalon for dog’s”, 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.

SV = Verein fur Deutsche Schaeferhundle, “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:

TSB a, ausgepragt, “Pronounced”
TSB vh, vorhanden, “Present or Sufficient”
TSB ng, nicht geneugend, “Insufficient”

WH = Wachhunde, “Watchdog”: This evaluation is not a title per se, but incorporate some of the elements of the Obedience and Protection work. The dog must perform some obedience exercises and then some guarding exercises.
WUSV = World Union of German Shepherd Dog Clubs: The global GSD breed club organization.

Z-stamp: The SV elbow certification system for GSD’s only. X-rays of GSD as at least 12 months old are submitted for evaluation and are scored into the same categories used for hp ratings.

ZW = Zuchtw2erte, “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 those 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.

GERMAN TITLES AND RATIONGS

VA Vorzuglich Auslese –Excellent Select:
Given only to a group of outstanding select German shepherds at a sieger show.
V Vorzuglich – Excellent:
Outstanding German shepherds with full dentitions and good character.
SG Sehrgut – Very Good:
Highest grade possible for dogs under 24 months of age or dogs of outstanding merit missing a premolar.
G Gut – Good:
Really about average, given to typical but not exceptional animals.
A Ausreichend – Satisfactory:
Given to below average dogs.
M Mangelhaft – Poor:
Poor quality dogs but of tolerable character.
U Ungenugend – Unsatisfactory:
Given to dogs with faulty character or serious faults, ungraded.
Excellent 24 months:
A dog of exceptional merit with no major failings in type with correct proportions. Correct bite and faultless detention but double P 1s.
Very Good 12 months: