Working Breed Standard
Below is the official F.C.I. Breed Standard, which we believe dictates best, the working German Shepherd. As documented by the United Schutzhund Clubs of America
IntroductionThe United Schutzhund Clubs of America(USCA) is a German Shepherd Dog Breed Organization, guided by the rules of the organization of origin of the German Shepherd Dog, the "Verein für Deutsche Schäferhunde (SV)" In Germany. The USCA, is a member of the "World Union of German Shepherd Dog Clubs" and accepts the bylaws of the USCA in regards to breeding rules of German Shepherd Dogs.
The following translation of the German Shepherd Dog F.C.I. Standard, translated from the SV publication 1998 Short Historical OverviewPlanned breeding activities began after the inception of the SV in 1899. The German Shepherd Dog wad developed from herding dogs in service during that time in Middle and Southern Germany. The goal was to produce a High-Performance Working Dog. To accomplish this goal, The breed standard for the German Shepherd Dog was created. This document addresses both Physical qualities as well as character attributes.
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General Appearance
The German Shepherd Dog is a medium-sized, slightly longer then tall, strong and well-muscled, bone is dry, the whole dog presenting a picture of firmness.
Important Measurements
Height at the withers for males: 60-65 cm, Bitches: 55-60 cm. Length of torso exceedes height at the withers by 10-17%
Character
The German Shepherd should appear poised, calm, self-confident, absolutely at ease, and(except when agitated) good natured, but also attentive and willing to serve. He must have courage, fighting drive, and hardness, in order to serve as companion, watch dog, protection dog, service dog, and herding dog.
Head
The head is wedge-shaped and in harmony with the dogs size(length app. 40% at the height of the withers) without being course or overly long. The head should appear dry, and moderately wide between the ears. Seen from the front and side, the forehead is only slightly domed, the center furrow is either absent or slightly visible. The length ratio of the skull is 50:50. Skull width approximately equals skull length. Seen from above, the skull slopes into a wedge shaped muzzle. The stop should not be pronounced. Upper and lower jaws are strong. The bridge of the nose should be straight not a Roman nose or dish-faced nose. Lips are taut, well closed and of dark color.
The Nose
The nose should be black
The Eyes
The eyes are medium sized, almond shaped, set slightly oblique and not protruding. The color should be as dark as possible
The Ears
The German Shepherd has medium-sized, upright ears which are carried erect and perpendicular to one another, pointed and open to the front. Tipped ears and hanging ears are faulty. Laid-back ears are not faulty when in motion or resting.
The Neck
The neck is strong, well-muscled, and clean-cut, the angle of the neck to torso is about 45 degrees.
The Body
The topline extends from the point where the neck meets the skull past the well developed withers and the gently sloping back to the slightly sloping croup without a visibly break. The back is firm, strong and well-muscled, The loin is broad, well developed, and strongly muscled. The croup should be long and have a slight downward slope (approximately 23 degrees from the horizontal) and should merge smoothly into the tail set.
The Chest
The chest should be of moderate width, the underchest long and pronounced. Chest depth should be approximately 45%-48% at the height of the withers.
Tail
The tail reaches atleast to the hock joint, but not past the halfway point of the hock itself. The coat is slightly longer on the underside of the tail. The tail hangs in a soft, saber-like curve. When the dog is excited or in motion, the tail is somewhat raised, but should not reach past the horizontal line. Surgical corrections are not permitted.
The Forelegs
Seen from all sides, the forelegs are straight and absolutely parallel when viewed from the front.
Shoulder and upper arms are of equal length. Both are held snugly to the body by strong muscles. Angulation of shoulder to the upper arm ideally is 90 degrees. But up to 110 degrees is permissable.
Elbows may not turn out when dog is standing still or in motion or be pinched inward. The lower legs viewed from all sides are absolutely straight and parallel, dry and well-muscled. The pasterns are about 1/3 of the forearm length and is angled 20-22 degrees to the foreleg. Pasterns with an angle of more then 2s degrees or very steep pasterns (less than 20 degrees) reduces working ability, especially endurance.
Shoulder and upper arms are of equal length. Both are held snugly to the body by strong muscles. Angulation of shoulder to the upper arm ideally is 90 degrees. But up to 110 degrees is permissable.
Elbows may not turn out when dog is standing still or in motion or be pinched inward. The lower legs viewed from all sides are absolutely straight and parallel, dry and well-muscled. The pasterns are about 1/3 of the forearm length and is angled 20-22 degrees to the foreleg. Pasterns with an angle of more then 2s degrees or very steep pasterns (less than 20 degrees) reduces working ability, especially endurance.
The Hindlegs
The rear legs have a pronounced rounded knee or turn of stifle which projects the dogs rear quarter well behind the pelvis. Seen from the rear, the hind legs are parallel to one another. Upper and lower thighs are approximately of the same length and form an angle of 120 degrees. Thighs are strong and well muscled
The hock joint is strong and dry and the hock stand upright under the joint.
The hock joint is strong and dry and the hock stand upright under the joint.
The Gait
The German Shepherd is a trotting dog. Length and angulation of front and rear legs must be proper proportion to one another to permit the dog to move the rear leg underneath the body, matching the reach of the rear legs with that of the front legs and at the same time, keeping the topline over the back relatively undisturbed. Any tendency of over angulation of the rear reduces firmness and the endurance of the dog and therefore, working capability. Correct body proportions and angulation result in ground covering gait which moves close to the ground which conveys the impression of effortless movement. With the head held slightly forward and the tail slightly lifted, the dog trotting evenly and smoothly, we see a softly moving topline which flows without interruption from neck to tail tip.
Skin
Covers smoothly without folds
Coat Characteristics
The correct coat of the German Shepherd Dog is a Stock Coa t(Outer and Undercoat), The top coat should be as tight as possible, straight, coarse, and clinging close to the undercoat. The head, including the inside of the ears, The front of the legs, the paws, and toes have short hair. Neck hair is longer and thicker, on the rear side of the legs hair length increases down to the pastern and hock. The rear of the thighs is covered in moderate "pants"
Pigment
Black with reddish brown, brown, tan to grayish-tan markings. Solid black, grey with dark overcast, black saddle and mask. Inconspicuous white markings, as well as lighter pigment on the inside of the legs is permitted, but not desirable. All dogs, no matter what their color, must have black noses.
Missing mask, light to white markings on the chest and inner leg sides, light toenails, and a red tail tip are signs of faulty pigmentation. Undercoat has a slight grey cast. White is not permissible.
Missing mask, light to white markings on the chest and inner leg sides, light toenails, and a red tail tip are signs of faulty pigmentation. Undercoat has a slight grey cast. White is not permissible.
Faults
Any deviation from the above listed standard.