Definitions and German Terms
These are some abbreviations, definitions and terminology commonly used in the German Shepherd Dog world. We hope this table will help you read German pedigrees and will aid you in understanding German Shepherd Dog “slang.” If this article doesn’t have a definition that you are looking for, feel free to ask us.
GSD
German Shepherd Dog = Deutsche Schäferhunde (Ger.)
SV
Verein für Deutsche Schäferhunde e. V. (Ger.) - Club for German Sepherd Dogs Inc - the main (original) GSD club and breed registry, based in Germany.
WUSV
The World Union of German Shepherd Dog Clubs
AWDF
American Working Dog Federation - an organization founded in 1989 to strengthen the working breeds in the United States. The breeds represented include German Shepherd Dogs, Malinois, Boxers, American Bulldogs, Dobermans, Rottweilers, Bouviers, Schnauzers, and American Staffordshire Terriers.
USA = USCA
United Schutzhund Clubs of America. USA is dedicated to protecting & preserving the German Shepherd Dog’s working heritage through Schutzhund training.
DVG
Deutscher Verband der Gebrauchshundsportvereine (Ger.) DVG is the oldest and largest Schutzhund training organization in the world. Begun in 1903, DVG was Germany’s first police and service dog club and has now grown to nearly 30,000 members.
FCI
Federation Cynologique Internationale (Fr.) - World canine organization.
AKC
American Kennel Club.
CKC
Canadian Kennel Club.
HD
Hip Dysplasia
"a" 1
HD normal - the best hip rating possible from the SV
"a" 2
HD fast normal - near normal hips
"a" 3
HD noch zugelassen - hips are still acceptable for breeding
"a" - Ausland
HD certification was passed in another country rather than Germany.
OFA
Orthopedic Foundation for Animals - an organization in the US that researches HD and other health problems and certifies hips and elbows for animals.
ZW
Zuchtwert (Ger.) An estimated Breed Value. Is used to aid breeders in making the selection of breeding partners for their dogs according to their hip status. A breed value of 100 is typical for the breed. Each breeder should strive to produce offspring with a Breed Value LESS than 100.
BSZS
Bundessieger-Zuchtschau (Ger.) World Championship - a yearly international championship of the German Shepherd Dog held in Germany (Sieger Show).
BSP
Bundessiegerprufung (Ger.) German National Working German Shepherd Dog Championship - a yearly Schutzhund competition.
WUSV
World German Shepherd Dog Schutzhund Championship - the world Schutzhund competition where over 100 countries’ teams compete each year.
ZB
Zuchtbewertung (Ger.) = show rating.
VA
Vorzuglich Auslese (Ger.) = Excellent Select - Show rating only awarded at the Sieger show in working class.
V
Vorzuglich (Ger.) - Excellent - Show rating awarded in working class only. Also a SchH rating awarded to dogs who score 96 points or more out of 100 in SchH trail/competition.
SG
Sehr Gut (Ger.) - Very Good. Is the highest possible show rating a dog can obtain in Youth Class or Young Dog Class. Also a SchH rating awarded to dogs who score 90-95 points out of 100 in SchH trail/competition.
G
Gut (Ger.) - Good (Show or working rating)
A
Ausreichend (Ger.) - Sufficient (Show or working rating)
M
Mangelhaft (Ger.) - Faulty (Show or working rating)
U
Unsatisfactory (Show or working rating)
Puppy Class
Age groups 4-6 months, 6-9 months, and 9-12 months.
JKL
Jugendklasse (Ger.) = Youth Class - age group 12-18 months.
JHKL
Junghundklasse (Ger.) = Young Dog Class - age group 18-24 months.
GHKL
Gebrauchshundklasse (Ger.) = Working Dog Class - 2 years or older, with working title (the dog must have at least a SchH1 or comparable working title in order to be shown in working class. It is not necessary to have a Kkl to show in working class).
Ruden (Ger.)
Male dogs
Hundinen (Ger.)
Female dogs
VP
VP - Very Promising (the highest rating awarded in Puppy Classes)
P
Promising (awarded in Puppy Class)
NP
Not Promising (awarded in Puppy Class)
vom = von der (Ger.)
“From the”
SchH
Schutzhund (Ger.) = Protection Dog. There are 3 levels: SchH I, SchH II, SchH III. SchH equivalents are ZVV, SVV, IPO, VH, and others.
IPO
International title, equivalent to Schutzhund. There are 3 levels: IPO I, IPO II, IPO III.
AD
Ausdauerprufung (Ger.) - an endurance test performed by gaiting approximately six - ten miles per hour for about 12 miles with a ten minute rest halfway and a simple obedience test at the end. AD is a prerequisite for a Korung evaluation.
BH
Begleithunde (Ger.) Prerequisite for Schutzhund. Consists of an obedience test and a traffic/temperament test.
Korung
SV Breed survey. The purpose of breed survey is to select from the breeding registry a number of dogs that in their character, performance, and anatomical construction appear suitable for the conservation and improvement of the breed.
Kkl
K?rklasse - Breed Survey class (Kkl1 or Kkl2) In order to be breed-surveyed a dog must have a SchH, HGH or IPO title, must also have approved hips, pass an AD, and have a show-rating of G or better.
Kkl1
Kkl1 - the dog is especially recommended for breeding
Kkl2
Kkl2 - the dog is still suitable for breeding (Variations from the breed standard in conformation, such as too small or too large, a missing tooth, structural or protection work fault, etc., are issues that can cause a dog to be Kkl2 rather than Kkl1).
lbz
Lebenszeit (Ger.) = for life - The result of a Breed Survey is for life (normally after the second Survey)
HGH
Herdengebrauchshund (Ger.) = Herding Dog
PH
Polizei Hund (Ger.) = Police Dog
FH
Fahrten Hund (Ger.) = Tracking Dog - Advanced tracking title
SAR
Search and rescue
TSB
Triebveranlung, Selbstsicherheit und Belastbarkeit (Ger.) = drive, self-confidence, and ability to handle stress - in a courage test. Ratings are “pronounced,” “sufficient” or “insufficient.”
T1, T2, T3 or T4
The dog is removed from farther participation in the Sieger show due to TSB failings. Each number indicates the reason for removal.
T1
Is indicating that even though the dog has demonstrated “pronounced” TSB, the dog did not release on command during the courage test. (Did not “Out”).
T2
TSB vorhanden (Ger.) TSB “sufficient” - not enough to continue on in the competition.
T3
TSB nicht genuegend (Ger.) TSB “insufficient”
T4
The dog removed from farther participation due to lack of obedience or control (the dog failed all three allowed attempts to heal to the blind).
WT
Wurftag (Ger.) = date of birth
Z
Zuchter (Ger.) = breeder
E
Eigentomer (Ger.) = owner
H
Halter (Ger.) = holder
Fuhrer (Ger.)
Handler
Ahnentafel (Ger.)
Pedigree
Vater (Ger.)
Sire (Father)
Mutter (Ger.)
Dam (Mother)
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