The breed survey is the ultimate instrument used as the selection method for the German Shepherd Dog Breed. It is absolutely necessary for the preservation and advancement of this breed. Originally developed in Germany for their domestic stock, in 1922 the breed survey also became the tool used as a resource for breeding the German Shepherd Dog. Simply explained, German Shepherd Dogs need a certificate for reproduction.
This certificate is issued by our organization which follows a special procedure where the breed survey judge evaluates the dog’s temperament in different stimulus situations. The dog must always demonstrate a friendly and self-confident character and in any situation, must show control even when in confrontation with its own natural instincts.
After these tests the dog will be measured, weighed, and anatomically analyzed in the stand position and also, when in movement. Based on each dog’s overall evaluation, it will be awarded the predicate Class I or Class II. Of course, not all dogs will be able to reach the level of these certificates.
The requirements to enter a dog in the breed survey event are not easy to achieve. They must be registered with our organization, absolutely healthy, a minimum of 2 years of age, they must have successfully completed an endurance test, received a rating of at least “good” in a breed show, they must have obtained at least a performance title of SchH 1 and must have certified hips. This may seem to be very restrictive, but it makes sense since we are looking for animals within our whole breed population, which have been selected based on their temperament, performance, and anatomy to improve and advance the breed.
All data from each dog’s breed survey is saved at our office and once a year it is published in our Breed Survey Report Book. This very comprehensive data is the resource pool for our breeders to be able to carefully plan all their future breeding.