An endurance test in which the dog runs 20 kilometers (about 12.5 miles) at an average speed of 7.7-9.5 miles per hour while a handler bicycles. There are two rest stops during the run, and at the completion of the AD, the dog must perform an obedience routine. The AD is a required element of the Breed Survey (Körung).

An adjustable wall that the dog is required to scale in the obedience portion of Schutzhund 2 and 3. In a Schutzhund trial the wall is set at 6 feet high.

An "a" stamp is the German designation that means the hips have been x-rayed and have received an acceptable rating. This is very similar to our OFA (Orthopedic Foundation of America) program except in Germany, a dog can qualify for the "a" stamp at one year of age instead of two years of age required by OFA. The designation "a" normal is the best hip rating given; "a" fast normal is the next level, and "a" noch zugelassen is still certified. If the dog's hips are dysplastic, he will not receive an "a" rating at all. The "a" rating is usually included with the dog's titles and breed survey rating, and the German Shepherd must have an "a" stamp to be bred in Germany.

Dog agility is a competitive sport that tests a person's skills in training and handling of dogs over a timed obstacle course. Competitors race against the clock as they direct their dogs to jump hurdles, scale ramps, burst through tunnels, traverse a see-saw and weave through a line of poles in an obstacle course configuration designed to challenge a handler's competitive and training skills. With scoring based on faults similar to equestrian show jumping, dog agility has become an exciting spectator event.

An organized competition at which dogs negotiate a series of obstacles and jumps in three classes of increasing difficulty. Suffix titles are earned at each level by qualifying a predetermined number of times. There are three major organizations involved in agility: AKC (American Kennel Club), NADAC (North American Dog Agility Council), and USDAA (United States Dog Agility Association). Each organization offers their own titles.

The parent dog club in the United States, which oversees and registers purebred dogs. AKC is an organization, established under the laws of the State of New York, whose goals are to adopt and enforce uniform rules regulating and governing dog shows and field trials; to regulate the conduct of persons interested in exhibiting, running, breeding, registering, purchasing, and selling dogs; to detect, prevent, and punish frauds in connection therewith; to protect the interest of its members; to maintain and publish an official stud book and an official gazette; and generally to do everything to advance the study, breeding, exhibiting, running, and maintenance of the purity of purebred dogs.

The structure behind which the helper or decoy hides during the protection phase of Schutzhund.

An evaluation which determines breeding suitability of a German Shepherd Dog. We discuss this subject in greater detail on this web site. You can read more on this subject by clicking here.

Outreach program, put on by a club, which tests a dog's behavior. The test varies a little with each club, but the dog must demonstrate good nerve, very basic obedience and loyalty to the handler.

The first level of obedience titles offered by the American Kennel Club. The dog must heel on and off lead, come when called, stand for examination without moving and remain in a sit and down position with other dogs while the handler is positioned across the ring. The dog must receive a qualifying score in three separate AKC shows under three different judges to earn a title.

An advanced obedience title offered by the American Kennel Club. The dog must heel entirely off lead, come when called and down immediately on command while doing the recall. The dog must also retrieve a dumbbell on the flat and over a high jump and must stay in a sit with a group of dogs for three minutes and a down for five minutes while the handler is out of sight. The dog must receive a qualifying score in three separate AKC shows under three different judges to earn a title.

Also referred to as a helper or agitator. The decoy agitates the dog in protection while the handler/owner holds the dog on leash. The decoy wears protective clothing and a burlap sleeve on one arm. A decoy plays an essential role in assisting the handler in training a dog for Schutzhund protection work and also does the protection work at a trial.

A term used in tracking to refer to the dog tracking with his nose close to the ground. This is preferable in Schutzhund as opposed to air scenting.

An object with a dowel in the center and two end pieces. A dumbbell is what the dog retrieves in AKC obedience and Schutzhund obedience exercises. In Schutzhund, there is a weight requirement for the dumbbell. In Schutzhund 1, the dumbbell is 650 grams. In Schutzhund 2, the retrieve on the flat requires 1 Kg and the 1-meter jump and A-frame requires 650 grams. In Schutzhund 3, the retrieve on the flat requires a 2 Kg dumbbell, and the weight for the 1-meter jump and the A-frame continues at 650 grams.

This is the most advanced agility offered by AKC with very complex courses. Once the dog qualifies at 3 different trials under 2 different judges, a suffix title is conferred on the dog..

This is the most advanced jumpers agility offered by AKC with very complex courses. Once the dog qualifies at 3 different trials under 2 different judges, a suffix title is conferred on the dog..

This is an advanced tracking title awarded by USA and the SV. This title is discussed in greater detail on this web site. In the past few years, a new title of FH2 has been introduced. This is an even more challenging tracking title with many difficulties. The original FH title is now designated as either FH or FH1. Click here for more information on the FH.

German Shepherd Dog Club of America is an organization founded in 1913 to promote the German Shepherd Dog.

A new program established in Germany to provide an estimate of "Breed Worthiness." This program became effective in Germany July 1, 1999, and the goal is to eliminate or significantly reduce hip dysplasia (HD) in German Shepherds. "Breed Worthiness" is a value that attempts to estimate which genes are likely to be passed-on to the next generation of breeding dogs. It is based on using hip dysplasia data of all relatives, parents, grandparents, litter mates and progeny to predict hip dysplasia status and the breed value of the dog. The goal is for the sire and dam to have an average HD Zuchtwert of 100 points or less, so the lower the point value, the better the rating.

An internationally recognized title very similar to Schutzhund.

The designation which follows a dog's name which has been Breed Surveyed. Please click here to learn more about this topic. Also please see our new article on Breeding Requirements which discusses this important topic in more detail.

German term for the Breed Survey. Click here for more information on Breed Survey.

Breed surveyed for lifetime. This designation will appear after the KKL1 or KKL2 as such--KKL1-lbz. This means the dogs has repeated the breed survey tests as required with the time frame necessary and has achieved the lifetime rating as recommended (KKL1) or suitable (KKL2) for breeding.

The most prestigious agility title. The MACH requires 20 qualifying scores of 100 (perfect score) in both excellent B standard and excellent B JWW on the same day (double Q’s) plus 750 championship points earned through times and placements.

MX is a very advanced agility title conferred by the AKC. It requires 10 qualifying scores in the Excellent Atility (AX) class.

MXJ is a very advanced jumpers agility title conferred by the AKC. It requires 10 qualfying scores in the Excellent Jumpers (AXJ) class.

In this web site, this term refers to the major national conformation competition offered by the WDA. A dog can earn the prestigious VA rating at this event. The term North American can also refer to a large annual Schutzhund competition offered by USA .

Notive Agility is a title conferred by AKC upon dogs who qualify 3 times under 2 different judges in a novice agility course. The course consists of several obstacles including the dog walk, tire, see-saw, weave poles, a-frame, and various types jumps. The dog must not only negotiate the obstacles but do so in a timely manner.

Novice Agility Jumpers is a title conferred by AKC upon dogs who qualify 3 times under 2 different judges in a jumpers course. The course consists of several jumps and weave poles which the dog must negotiate. The dog must not only negotiate the jumps and weave poles but do so in a timely manner.

The Orthopedic Foundation of America (OFA) was established in 1966 as a not-for-profit organization originally created to assist breeders in addressing hip dysplasia. Presently OFA has added several other registries to assist breeders including ones on canine elbow and thyroid disorders. When a dog reaches two years of age, the owner can submit a hip radiograph to OFA for a reading. OFA rates the hips as either excellent, good, fair or dysplastic. There are also several levels of hip dysplasia from mild to severe. Only dogs that have received at least an OFA fair rating should be used for breeding. OFA will also give a reading on a dog less than two years of age, but the dog is not eligible for OFA certification until it reaches at least two years of age.

An AKC title which means Obedience Trial Champion. It is a very elite title that requires placing first or second in the highest obedience levels competing with dogs of all breeds. For each first or second placement in very competitive advanced obedience classes, the dogs receives a specific number of points which is dependent on the total number of dogs shown in the class. The OTCH title is earned when the dog has accumulated 100 points including wins in different classes.

This term refers to a puppy from titled and breed surveyed (koered) sire and dam. The term also refers to the pink colored SV registration papers awarded to puppies from these litters. A "pink papered" puppy is a premium. It reflects good bloodlines, structure, hips and working ability. For a more detailed discussion regarding the requirements to obtain the breed survey, please see our article on Breeding Requirements.

Refers to the dog's protection rating in reference to courage and fighting instincts. The "pronounced" rating (ausgepragt) is needed for KKL1 and VA.

Rally is a new AKC obedience style sport introduced in 2004 with official titles being awarded effective January 2005. There are three levels of Rally: Rally Novice, Rally Advanced and Rally Excellent. In general the rally course includes 10 to 20 stations, depending on the level. Communication between handler and dog is encouraged, and there should be a sense of teamwork between the dog and handler. Rally Novice is performed on leash, and advanced and excellent is performed entirely off leash. In Rally Novice, the dog must be able to readily perform the "finish" in both directions as well as easily make a tight turn or circle to the right or left. In Rally Excellent, there are many more difficult exercises such as the requirement that the dog heel backwards with the handler and then immediately heel forward. A tie in scoring is broken by the dog and handler with the fastest time, so speed is also a premium in performing each exercise. As in agility, the handler is allowed a short time period for a course walk-through, and a map of the course is also provided. Rally is an excellent and fun way to get acquainted with showing a dog in any venue. It is more relaxing than formal obedience because the handler is allowed verbal communication with the dog while performing the exercise.

A German word that literally translated means "protection dog." Schutzhund is a demanding sport testing a dog's temperament and willingness to perform tracking, obedience and protection. Click here for a detailed discussion of Schutzhund.

This is the first place or VA-1 male in the working class at the national German Conformation Show. The Sieger title can also be awarded at large SV-style national shows in other countries including the United States.

This is the first place or VA-1 female in the working class at the national German Conformation Show. The Siegerin title can also be awarded at large SV-style national shows in other countries including the United States.

Literally means "very good" in German. When SG proceeds a dog's name, it means it has received a very good rating in a German style conformation show. This is the highest rating that can be earned by a non-titled dog. The V rating in conformation can only be awarded when a dog has a Schutzhund title.

SG is also used to refer to very good scores in Schutzhund, but in this case, it is not part of the dog's name. If the total points earned by the dog in achieving a Schutzhund title are between 270 and 285 (out of 300), the dog will receive an overall rating of SG.

The German Shepherd Dog Club of Germany.

Wallet size object that is handled and scented by the tracklayer. It can be leather, wood or textile. It is dropped on the track, and the dog must indicate the article by downing on the track with the article between its two front feet.

Utility Dog is the most advanced AKC obedience title and involves hand signals, directed jumping, and scent discrimination work. There is also a directed retrieve and an exercise that requires the dog to more away on command from the handler to the opposite side of the ring. The dog must perform all exercises correctly at three different obedience trials under three different judges in order to earn the Utility Dog title.

United Schutzhund Club of America is a member of the World Union of German Shepherd Dog Clubs and is the parent club for many Schutzhund clubs throughout the United States.

Is the German word for excellent. The V designation when proceeding a dog's name indicates that it has been evaluated as excellent in a German style conformation show. In order to earn the V the dog must be entered in the working classes meaning it must have a Schutzhund title. The V is reserved for dogs with excellent conformation and movement. It is the highest conformation rating that can be awarded in a local or regional show.

The "V" is also used to refer to very high scores in Schutzhund, but in this case, it is not part of the dog's name. The maximum points awarded for each of the three phases is 100. If the dog earns 96 or above in any of the three phases of tracking, obedience or protection, the dog will receive a "V" rating. If the total points earned in all three phases is 286 or above, the dog will receive an overall "V" rating. The same concept applies to the FH and IPO titles.

Means excellent-select. The VA proceeds a dog's name and means that it has earned the highest possible conformation title possible, and it has demonstrated pronounced hardness, courage and fighting instincts in the protection test. The dog must be virtually flawless in structure and meet the German breed standard in every respect. The VA title is only awarded at the German Sieger Show and at large national shows in other countries including the United States.

This is the second place male in the working class at the national German Sieger Show. The Vize-Sieger title can also be awarded at large SV-style national shows in other countries including the United States.

Stands for Very Promising which is the highest rating a puppy can receive until one year of age and older.

VPG (Vielseitigkeitspruefung für Gebrauchshund) are the initials for the sport that replaced Schutzhund in early 2004. Roughly translated from the German, VPG means Versatility Test for dogs. Schutzhund titles are no longer awarded. While, VPG is similiar to Schutzhund, there are some significant changes in the tracking, obedience and protection phase. Overall the protection phase removes some of the difficulties that were in Schutzhund such as the "call-out of the blind" and the "attack out of the blind."

Working Dog Association. This organization is the branch of the German Shepherd Dog Club of America that supports Schutzhund clubs and events throughout the United States.

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