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G.S.D. Breed Standard
GENERAL APPEARANCE:
Slightly long in comparison to height, of powerful well-muscled build, with weather-resistant coat. Relation between height, length, position and structure of the fore and hind quarters (angulation) producing far-reaching, enduring gait. Clear definition of masculinity and femininity essential, and working ability will never be sacrificed for mere beauty.
CHARACTERISTICS:
Versatile working dog, balanced and free from exaggeration. Attentive, alert, resilient and tireless with keen scenting ability.
TEMPERAMENT:
Steady of nerve, loyal, self assured, courageous and tractable. Never nervous, over aggressive or shy.
HEAD AND SKULL:
Proportionate in size and body, never course, too fine or long. Clean cut, fairly broad between the ears. Forehead slightly domed, little or no trace of central furrow. Cheeks forming softly rounded curve, never protruding. Skull from ears to bridge of nose tapering gradually and evenly, blending without too pronounced stop in wedged shaped powerful muzzle. Skull approximately 50% of overall length of head. Width of skull corresponding approximately to length, in males slightly greater, in females slightly less. Muzzle strong, lips firm, clean and closing tightly. Top muzzle straight, almost parallel to forehead. Short, blunt, weak, pointed, overlong muzzle undesirable.
EYES:
Medium sized, almond-shaped, never protruding. Dark brown preferred, lighter shade permissible, provided expression is good and general harmony of head is not destroyed. Expression lively, intelligent and self-assured.
EARS:
Medium sized, firm in texture, broad at base, set high, carried erect, almost parallel, never pulling inwards or tipped, tapering to a point, open at front. Never hanging. Folding back during movement permissible.
MOUTH:
Jaws strongly developed. With a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaw. Teeth healthy and strong. Full dentition desirable.
NECK:
Fairly long, strong, with well-developed muscles, free from throatiness. Carried at a 45 degree angle to horizontal, raised when excited, lowered at fast trot.
FOREQUARTERS:
Shoulder blades long, set obliquely (45 degrees) laid flat to upper body. Upper arm strong, well muscled, joining should blade at approximately 90 degrees. Forelegs straight from pasterns to elbows viewed from every angle, bone oval rather than round. Pasterns firm, supple and slightly angulated. Elbows neither tucked in nor turned out. Length of foreleg exceeding depth of chest.
TAIL:
Brushy-haired, reaches at least to hock – ideal length reaching to middle of metatarsus. At rest tail hangs in slight sabre-like curve; when moving, raised and curve increased, ideally never above level of back. Short, rolled, curled, generally badly carried or stumpy from birth, undesirable.
GAIT/MOVEMENT:
Sequence of steps follow diagonal pattern, moving foreleg and opposite hind leg forward simultaneously; hind foot thrust forward to midpoint of body and having equally long reach with forefeet without any noticeable change in backline.
COAT:
Outer coat consisting of straight, hard close lying hair as dense as possible; thick undercoat. Hair on head, ears, front of legs, paws and toes short; on back, longer thicker; in some males forming a slight ruff. Hair longer on back of legs as far down as pasterns and stifles and forming fairly thick trousers on hindquarters. No hard and fast rule for length of hair; mole type coats undesirable.
COLOUR:
Black or black saddle with tan, or gold to light grey markings. All black, all grey or grey with lighter brown markings referred to as Sables. Nose black. Light markings on chest or very pale colour on inside of legs permissible, but undesirable, as are whitish nails, red tipped nails or wishy-washy faded colours defined as lacking in pigmentation. Blues, livers, albinos, whites, (i.e. almost pure white dogs with black noses) and near whites highly undesirable. Undercoat, except in all black dogs, usually grey or fawn. Colour in itself is of secondary importance, having no effect on character or fitness for work. Final colour of a dog only ascertained when outer coat has developed.
BODY:
Length measured from point of breast bone to rear of pelvis, exceeding height at withers. Correct ratio 10 to 9 or 8.5. Undersized dogs, stunted growth, high-legged dogs, those too heavy or light in build, over loaded fronts, too short overall appearance, any features detracting from reach or endurance gait, undesirable. Chest deep, (45% - 48%) of height at shoulder; not too broad, brisket long, well developed. Ribs well formed and long; neither barrel-shaped nor too flat; allowing free movement of elbows when gaiting. Relatively short loin, Belly firm, only slightly drawn up. Back between withers and croup, straight, strongly developed, not too long. Overall length achieved by correct angle of well laid shoulders, correct length of croup and hindquarters. Withers long, of good height and well defined, joining back in a smooth line without disrupting flowing top-line slightly sloping from front to back. Weak, soft and roach backs undesirable and should be rejected. Loin broad, strong, well muscled. Croup long, gently curving downwards to tail without disrupting flowing top-line. Short, steep or flat croups undesirable.
HINDQUARTERS:
Overall strong broad and well-muscled, enabling effortless forward propulsion of the whole body. Upper thighbone, viewed from side, sloping to slightly longer lower thighbone. Hind angulation sufficient if imaginary line dropped from point of buttocks cuts through lower thigh just in front of hock, continuing down slightly in front of hind feet. Angulations corresponding approximately with front angulation, without over angulation, hock strong. Any tendency towards over angulation of hindquarters reduces firmness and endurance.
FEET:
Rounded toes, well-closed and arched. Pads well cushioned and durable. Nails, short strong and dark in colour. Drew claws removed from hind legs.
SIZE:
Ideal height (from withers and just touching elbows): Dogs 62.5 cms (25ins) Bitches 57.5 cms (23ins). 2.5 cms (1in) either above or below ideal is permissible.
FAULTS:
Any departure from the foregoing should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree.
NOTE: MALE ANIMALS SHOULD HAVE TWO APPARENTLY NORMAL TESTICLES FULLY DESCENDED IN THE SCROTUM.
Lewisland Kennels Murray Bridge, SA, Australia Phone : 0400 266 332 Email : troy@lewislandkennels.com |
