The GSDC is the first and only club in Asia to offers its members the opportunity to send their dogs for a Breed Survey. Breed Surveys are essential in tracking the development of the breed in Singapore.

What is a Breed Survey?

The Breed Survey is a detailed examination of the dog by a qualified Breed Surveyor in an attempt to assess the dog against the perfect GSD to see how the dog measures up to the breed standard. This in turn will determine its suitability for breeding.

The Breed Surveyor evaluates the dog's structural conformation. He also evaluates the dog's muscular development, firmness in stance and ligaments. All these are assessed while the dog is standing.

Next, is the evaluation of gait, walking and trotting. Here the Breed Surveyor assesses firmness of the back, elbows, hocks and pasterns. He would also look at the movement of the hocks, the dog's drive and reach.

Following the physical assessment is the temperament test, here the Breed Suveyor evaluates the dog's character, watchfulness, condition or nerves, courage and its reaction to the gun test. In Germany (but not in Singapore), the dog must also at least one training degree (Sch 1) to prove its trainability.

The Breed Surveyor, after studying the dog's pedigree, together with the dog's virtues and faults, may recommend a certain type of dog or certain bloodline for breeding. This is aimed to achieve the most suitable match. Dogs found suitable for breeding are classified Korklasse I (Class 1) or Korklasse II (Class II)

If you purchase a GSD from Germany, it can come with a white or pink pedigree. A GSD with both parents breed surveyed has a pink pedigree.

A dog with an asterisk (*) in front of its name or the words “Korkl I” or “Korkl II” after its name has been breed surveyed. The small “a” that appears after Korklasse I or Korklasse II signified that the dog has been awarded the “a” stamp after having been x-rayed and found to be free of any serious hip dysplasia. The hip gradings are classified as Normal, Near Normal and Acceptable.

All dogs must be hip x rayed and possess one of these hip score gradings in order to pass the Breed Survey.

GSDC Hip X Ray Scheme

The GSDC has its own Hip X-Ray scheme where dogs above the age of 12 months are his x rays to determine if they are free from hip dysplasia. X rays taken are sent to a specialist veterinarian in Australia who will then evaluate the hip score. The dog's hips will be graded as follows: Normal, Near Normal, Acceptable or Unclasified.

Photos

A GSD must be of sound temperament to be an effective working dog here, Low Hian Tiong prepares for the Gun Test. Dogs which display fear or resentment to the sound of the gun may be deemed as ‘gun shy' and will fail the Breed Survey.

Correct dentition is very important – SV Judge and Breed Surveyor Mr. Johann Mayer explains to a handler how to display the dog's teeth for inspection.

The dog must not be too heavy nor too light – males and females are weighed according to different standards.

The GSD is a medium sized working dog – this is often a forgotten fact. Here Mr Mayer measures the dog's height at the withers using a special measuring ruler. Dogs which are oversized or undersized may not pass the Breed Survey.

Once the dog has been examined by the Breed Surveyor, it is stacked for the Breed Surveyor to form an overall picture of the dog in his mind and to give his comments and critique.

Finally, the Breed Surveyor will fill up the various descriptions in the Breed Survey Form decide on the grading for each dog. The Breed Survey Report will later be signed and presented to the dog's owner. The Breed Survey lasts the life of the dog and is internationally recognized.