SV Breed Rules and Classifications By Martin Wahl
	Basic SV breed requirements  DNA certification  SV hip certificate ("a" stamp)  SV classifications for breeding  General SV certification practices and temperament testing  The SV breeder requirements

Basic SV breed requirements

Inbreeding of 2-2 or closer (breedings between litter mates or to their parents or grand parents) are not permitted.

Both dogs must have a minimum SchH1 or IP1 or HGH training degree and the "a" stamp (Hip certificate).

The male must have completed his 24th month before he can be used as a stud dog, and may serve a maximum of 60 bitches annually, spaced evenly throughout the year. Artificial inseminations are not permitted.

A female must have completed her 20th month before she can be mated for the first time.

DNA certification

Starting in 1995, all dogs used for breeding must have their "DNA-Profile" stored in the SV’s DNA Database, so that all GSD puppies born after January 1, 1996, can be tested and DNA certified by receiving a DNA-stamp in their SV papers.

SV hip certificate ("a" stamp)

The dog must be at least 12 month old, and only an SV certified veterinarian can take a hip x-ray and must certify the dog’s tattoo number in the space provided on the dog’s pedigree (Ahnentafel), which the dog owner must surrender to the veterinarian before the x-ray can be taken. This process cannot be repeated. The dog’s x-ray and registration certificate must then be forwarded to the SV for evaluation. If the dog has severe hip dysplasia, the SV will permanently disqualify this dog from breeding and will publish the dogs name, parents, line breeding, owner, and breeder in the SV magazine.

SV classifications for breeding

1.    Dogs recommended for breeding are breed surveyed in classification 1 (Körklasse1, or Kkl 1)

2.    Dogs suitable for breeding are breed surveyed in classification 2 (Körklasse 2, or Kkl 2)

3.    Dogs allowed for breeding are all dogs registered with the SV and have at least a SchH1 or IPO1 or HGH training title, and a minimum SV show rating "G" (good).

4.    Dogs not allowed to breed may have one or more of the following faults:

·        Do not meet the above basic requirements or classifications,

·        Bad nerves or bad temperament, guy shy, fear biters, unstable, or simply shy dogs,

·        Long coated dogs without undercoat,

·        Faulty pigment, blues, albinos or whites with black noses,

·        Males under 59cm (23”) or over 66cm (26”), females under 54cm (21”) or over 61cm (24”),

·        Missing or visibly underdeveloped testicle(s), monorchid or cryptorchid,

·        Any obvious structural fault,

·        Missing teeth:  one p3 and any other tooth, or one fang (canine), or one p4, or one m1 (1^st molar), or one m2, or a total of any three teeth.

        

Körclass 1 V-A excellent - select Flawless bite, complete dentures, no broken or defective teeth or large gaps, no extra (double) teeth. V excellent Flawless bite, complete dentures, no large gaps; (double P1s, tooth broken accidentally allowed). Körclass 2 SG very good missing one P1 premolar or an incisor G good missing: two P1s 1 or one P1 and an incisor or one P2 not suitable for breed survey G good an absence of: one P3 or two incisors or in the show ring: one P2 plus one incisor or one P2 plus one P1 or two P2s; Ungenügend progeny will not be registered U insufficient an absence of: one P3 and any other tooth, or one fang (canine), or one P4, or one M1 (1st molar), or one M2, or a total of any three teeth.

·        dogs with an under bite or more then 2mm (3/32") overbites,

·        females after their third C-section,

·        dogs with severed Muskulus pectineus.

General SV certification practices and temperament testing

Every time a German Shepherd comes before an official of the SV, be it a judge before a trial, a breed warden during breeding, a breed master before being breed surveyed, a veterinarian or a tattooer, the dog’s original registration certificate (Rasse-Echtheitszertifikat) must be presented and the tattoo number must be checked against it and then recorded on a form appropriate for the current event. In handling the dog to check the tattoo number, the dog is being temperament tested, as all SV officials are required to disqualify a dog on the spot for any type of temperament fault. A disqualified dog then will have its registration certificate marked accordingly.

The SV breeder

The owner of the stud dog is required to report a breeding to the local breed warden or to the SV head office on the first day of a mating (not a day or more later), and must issue to the owner of the bitch a stud certificate (Deckbescheinigung). Males that become infertile or have diminished fertility will have their breed survey and breeding rights revoked by the SV. The owner or lessee of one or more females is the breeder and may not produce more than 5 litters per year. The breeder is required to have his local breed warden inspect the litter and dam within three days after birth. The breeder must also notify his local SV tattooer to have his puppies tattooed in their right ear before they are 8 weeks old. It is the responsibility of the tattooer to report the tattoo information to the SV head office.