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.)

S.V. – Verein für Deutsche Schäferhunde e. V. (Ger.) – Club for German Shepherd Dogs Inc – the main (original) GSD club and breed registry, based in Germany

F.C.I. Federation Cynologique Internationale (Fr.) – world canine organization

AKC – American Kennel Club

HD – Hip Dysplasia

ED – Elbow Dysplasia

a1 HD normal – the best hip rating possible from the SV

a2 HD fast normal – near normal hips

a3 HD noch zugelassen – hips are still acceptable for breeding

OFA Orthopedic Foundation for Animals – an organization in the US that researches HD and other health problems and certifies hips and elbows for animals.

BSZS Bundessieger-Zuchtschau (Ger.) World Championship – a yearly international championship of the German Shepherd Dog held in Germany (Sieger Show).

VA Vorzüglich Auslese (Ger.) = Excellent Select – Show rating only awarded at the Sieger show in working class.

V Vorzüglich (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.

SchH Schutzhund (Ger.) = Protection Dog. There are 3 levels: SchH I, SchH II, SchH III. SchH equivalents are ZVV, SVV, IPO, VH, IGP and others.

IPO International title, equivalent to Schutzhund. There are 3 levels: IPO I, IPO II, IPO III.

AD Ausdauerprüfung (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 Begleithund (Ger.) Prerequisite for Schutzhund. Consists of an obedience test and a traffic/temperament test.

Körung 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 Körklasse – 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.