In 1891, the Phylax Society attempted to stylize the shepherd dog type in Germany. Its effort was aborted after three years, but before the end of the centruy, a cavalry captain, Rittmeister (Captain) Max von Stephanitz, took over the standardization effort. With Ernst von Otto and Artur Meyer, von Stephanitz formed a group called the Verein fur Deutsche Schaferhunde (SV). Under this umbrella, von Stephanitz, who became known as the father of the breed, fixed type and brought the breed to recognition.

To begin their line, von Stephanitz and Meyer purchased a yellow-tan working dog named Hektor von Linksrhein, who later changed names to become Horand von Grafrath, the first dog registered with the SV. He was described as large, beautiful, noble, faithful, straightforward and "with a boundless and irrepressible zest for living." Horand and other typey foundation sires were interbred with working shepherd dogs.

In 1899, the first annual Siegerschau(Sieger show) was held, with a dog named Jorg von der Krone taking the honor as the Sieger (winner) and Lisie vonSchwenningen as the Siegerin (female winner). In the next two years, a Horand son, Hektor von Schwaben, captured the win.

In later years, the diminishing flocks in Germany (and worldwide) took their toll, leaving the working shepherd with fewer sheep to herd. Although the flocks went into decline von Stephanitz's passion for the breed did not. Realizing the German Shepherd's strength, intelligence, reasoning capacity and scenting ability would serve the breed in good stead for tackling other duties, the captain recommended training the dogs for police work.

Later, the shepherd also joined the military ranks. Its prowess and aptitude as a sentry and patrol dog ensured an enthusiastic welcome into the armed forces around the world. More recently, the German Shepherd has participated in search-and-rescue efforts and served as an assistance dog. Moreover, herding trials are showing this noble breed to have retained the instinct that had lain dormant for more then half a century.

" The German Shepherd is the total dog, limited only by our time and the effort we put forth to train them."

- Helen Gleason

 

Primary Abbreviations

" a" - German rating for normal hips, also known as an "a" stamp.
AD - Endurance title that includes a 12-mile run & simple obedience test (German title).
AOE -Award of Excellence. A dog must meet qualifications in conformation, obedience, and be OFA certified to earn this award given by the GSDCA.
AXJ - Agility Excellent Jumper (AKC).
BH - German Companion Dog Must precede SchH 1, German equiv. of the AKC's CD and CGC test in one (German title).
BlH - Blind guide dog (German title).
BIS - Best in Show (not an official title)
CD - Companion Dog - An obedience title (AKC)
CDX - Companion Dog Excellent - An obedience title beyond CD (AKC)
CGC - Canine Good Citizen (AKC).
CH - A.K.C. title of Champion.
CT - Champion Tracker (a dog with a TD, TDX and VST) (AKC title).
DH - Service dog (Germany.)
FH - Most advanced tracking title awarded by the SV (comparable to the AKC's TDX title)(German title).
G - Good show or performance rating (Germany).
GV - Grand Victor or Grand Victrix. The title given to the best male (Grand Victor) and best female (Grand Victrix) at the German Shepherd Dog Club of America's National Specialty Show each year. Only one male and one female may receive this honor in any given year.
HIC - Herding Instinct Certified (AKC).
HGH - Herding dog (Germany).
IPO I, IPO2, IPO3 - SchH I, SchH 2,SchH3 according to the international rules.
kkl 1-the best breed survey classification given, kkl II being suitable for breeding (Germany).
Koerklasse - same as KKl-1 or kkl2
OFA - Orthopedic Foundation for Animals. A registry in which orthopedic surgeons certify animals free of hip dysphasia based upon x-rays. We typically have elbows evaluated also.
OFA (Prelim) - Preliminary evaluation prior to two years of age, usually done at about 6 months old.
OTCH - Obedience Trial Champion (AKC ).
MX - Masters Agility Excellent (AKC).
ROM - Register of Merit United States (AKC).
Sieger - Male Grand champion title at the German Sieger show.
Siegerin - Female Grand champion title at the German Sieger show.
SEL - Select: A rating given to the top dogs of either sex at the German Shepherd Dog Club of America's National Specialty Show each year. Select titles are awarded in numerical order after the Grand Victor and Grand Victrix beginning with Select 2, Select 3, etc.).
SchH I, SchH 2, SchH 3 - The three levels of Schutzhund titles, which include confirmation, tracking, obedience, and protection. Dog must pass all three phases to earn title (German titles).
SG - "Select Good" show or performance rating. Highest rating obtainable by dogs 12-24 months old.
SGR - Sieger (or Siegerin) -the best male (or female) at the national conformation specialty show.
TC - Temperament Certified (AKC).
TD - Tracking Dog (AKC).
TDI - Dog has passed Therapy Dog International's testing.
TDX - Tracking Dog Excellent (AKC).
TT - Temperament Tested
UD - Utility Dog, an obedience title. A dog must acquire the CDX first (AKC).
UDT - Utility Dog title with a Tracking Dog title (AKC).
UDTX - Utility Dog title with a Tracking Dog Excellent title (AKC title).
UDX - Utility Dog Excellent (AKC title).
VK-1, VK-2, VK-3, Schutzhund titles in Hungary.
V - German show rating = excellent.
VA - Excellent Select show rating at Sieger show. The Sieger is VA-1 the highest award obtainable by a German show dog. Typically there are 12-15 other dogs awarded a VA rating besides the # 1 Sieger.
VP = "Very promising" show or performance rating; highest rating obtainable by dogs 3-12 months old.

Organizations