German Shepherd & Judging Terminology

German titles and ratings:

Angekoert: Breed Surveyed (recommended for breeding)
Koerklasse 1: (Kkl 1) Especially recommended for breeding
Koerklasse 2: (Kkl 2) Suitable for breeding. Dog may have a structural or protection work fault which could be compensated for by bloodlines or working qualities. May be resurveyed and reclassified at a later date.

German Shepherd Working Titles

Working titles SchHA   Introduction to Schutzhund work without the tracking.
(*) = This symbol before a dog’s name means it has been surveyed and approved for breeding.
“a” = Dog’s hips have been x-rayed and certified acceptable. Required for Breed Survey.

LG = Landesgruppen (Regional) Show. There are approximately 1500 German Shepherd Dog clubs in Germany and these are under the jurisdiction of the 15 Landesgruppen clubs.

The LG Shows are larger than the local shows and the judging and rating requirements are stricter. Landesgruppen Sieger and Siegerin titles are awarded.

BH--Basic companion dog.
WH--Watch dog test for basic alertness.
AD--Endurance test for fundamental fitness.
SchH1--The preliminary Schutzhund qualification in tracking, obedience and protection.
SchH2--More challenging Schutzhund work in tracking, obedience and protection.
SchH3--The competition level of the 3 phases of Schutzhund. Master level.
FH--Tracking dog.
FH1--Advanced tracking.
FH2--Greater tracking challenges. (Placement of articles determined by the Judge).
IP1--International trial rules similar to the Schutzhund test but with some variations.
IP2--More challenging Schutzhund work in tracking, obedience and protection.
IP3--The competition level of IP.
BpDH1&2--Railway police dog.
BIH--Blind leader dog.
DH--Service dog.
DPH--Service police dog.
HGH--Herding dog.
LwH--Avalanche dog.
PFP1&2 --    Police tracking dog.
PH Police dog.
PSP1,2&3--Police guard dog.
RtH--Rescue dog.
ZFH--Customs tracking dog.
Zh1,2&3   --     Customs dog.
OB1, 2 & 3.--   Obedience

German Dog Training Command Words

Here are a few dog training commands that I use.

They are German commands, and used in the sport of Schutzhund also in Mondio Rings:

Achtung! (Ahk-toong): Watch! Attention!

Aus! (Ows): Out! Drop It! Let Go

Bleib! (Blibe): Stay

Bringen! : Bring! Fetch

Fass! (Fahs):Attack! Take hold

Fuss! (Foos): Heel

Gib Laut! : Bark! Speak

Hier! : Here! Come

Hopp! : Up! Jump

Pass auf! (Pahs owf): Pay attention! Heads Up

Nein! (Nine):No

Pfui! (Foo-ey): Shame! Stop That! Drop That

Platz! (Plots): Down! (Place)

Setz! , Setzen! (Zetzen): Sit

Such! (Zook): Search

Voran! (For-ahn): Go forward! Take the lead

Voraus! (For-ows): Go forward! Run out

Tracking - TR1, 2 & 3. -- Show ratings VA--Excellent Select (awarded at a Sieger Show only)
V--Excellent.
SG--Very Good.
G--Good.
A--Sufficient.
M--Insufficient.
VP--Very Promising (3-12 month Classes).
P--Promising (3-12 month Classes).
LP--Less Promising (3-12 month Classes).

The credentials of the German Shepherds that comprise our World Class breeding stock speak for themselves. All are 100% West German bloodlines with Koerklasse 1. To achieve this coveted Koerklasse 1 (Kkl1) rating, the dogs must compete for titles in Germany or America under the rules and auspices of the Club for German Shepherd Dogs in Germany (SV-Verein für Deutsche Schäferhunde).

To meet this World Standard, each dog must have a companion dog temperament test (BH), a minimum of SchH1/IPO1 working degree, certified hips (“a” stamp or OFA), a 12 mile endurance test followed by examination for physical soundness (AD), and compete at a show to achieve a conformation rating of at least SG or”Very Good” (V or “Excellent” being the best at any show that is not the National Championship or Sieger Show where the coveted “Excellent Select” or VA can be awarded once a year to only the very best dogs).

These requirements make the dog eligible to enter a Koerung (to qualify for breeding) which is a Breed Survey where the dog is carefully evaluated for excellence of structure, temperament and courage.

These impressive requirements are only guidelines for our dedication to the breed. Many times dogs with great prerequisites should not be bred together because of incompatible bloodlines or characteristics

German Terminology

The Royal German Shepherds.

Here at The Royal German Shepherds we strongly feel that the FCI standard for the German Shepherd is the true guide for breeders who are truly interested in the Total German Shepherd dog.

The difference in American and European lines means that a top winning dog in the European style shows (SV) will not necessarily be any kind of a winner in an AKC show, and vise versa. So if you plan to participate in conformation shows with your German Shepherd dog, you need to decide which arena you will compete in and buy the appropriate dog.

In SV style shows, typically you get a critique of your dog by the judge after he has positioned the dogs. This is done at the end of each class.

It is a verbal critique, and every one hears it. This R.G.S. finds it very beneficial and as breeders, it allows them to see if they are breeding in the right sphere. This they feel would also be very beneficial in the AKC ring, as it would undoubtedly improve the GSD American lines. Another major difference between SV and AKC shows, is the placing of the dogs. Of course one is first, and one is last, but it really is the rating of the dog that truly matters.

In the SV ring your dog is placed in certain categories, and this depends on the age and whether your dog is Schutzhund titled or not. Males compete against males in the same age range, and the same is true for females.

You will not see a puppy compete against an adult dog. Your dog could finish 1st or 4th or 6th (depending on the size of the class), and still get a very good rating. The ratings are set by class, with dogs less than 1 year of age, competing for the rating of very promising (VP), promising (P) or less promising (LP).

For dogs between 1 year and 2 years of age or over 2 years without a working title, the ratings are very good (SG), Good (G), sufficient (A) or insufficient (M). For dogs over 2 years with a working title, the ratings are, excellent select (VA) (this title is only awarded in the Sieger show ), excellent (V), very good (SG), good (G), sufficient (A) or insufficient (M). Sometimes what separates the 1st from the 4th or 6th or further back is a only a slight or very minor fault, but that is up to the judge ( and remember when showing a dog, it is that judge's decision on that day). But the classification of a rating is certainly very important for a breeder, and really reflects the breed ability of his stock..