Full characteristics of the dog breed - German Shepherd

How did German Shepherds of working breeding appear?

The German Shepherd breed standard was first proposed by A. Meyer and Max von Stephanitz on September 20, 1899 at the first meeting of the Union of German Dog Breeding (VDH). According to the decision of the creators, representatives of this breed should be medium-sized dogs with well-developed muscles and strong limbs. Their main advantage was to be their character: a strong nervous system, confidence, courage, courage - all these traits were mandatory for representatives of the German Shepherd used for the further development of the breed. At the same time, the dog had to, with a pronounced fighting instinct, have a good disposition so that it could be safely used not only as a guard dog, but also as a companion dog.

Subsequently, the breed standard was revised several times and by the 90s of the twentieth century, German Shepherd breeders were divided into two camps. Those who held the view that the development of the breed should follow the path of developing standard exterior qualities (breeding, or otherwise called show breeding). And those who believed that the physical and mental development of a dog is a priority, and shepherd dogs should, first of all, be physically active and hardy, as well as be easy to train and happy to work according to protective standards.

This line was called the working breeding of German Shepherds, and the dogs began to be used primarily for specialized services in the police and army or for participation in Schutzhund sport competitions.

Working German Shepherd

Previously, we talked about what a working breeding line is, its advantages and disadvantages, and about the representatives of this direction available in Kazakhstan. In this article, we will remind you of the main characteristics and tell you what has changed over the past year in the working direction of the German Shepherd in Kazakhstan.

It is very encouraging that more and more people already know about the presence of two directions in German Shepherd breeding, the so-called “show” and “working” (sport) breeding lines. More and more working dogs can be seen on sports grounds and competitions. Often, ordinary people, seeing the work of such a dog, associate it with the zonal (wolf) color that is dominant in this direction and think that all dogs of the zonal color belong to working breeding. How many times have they called me and said: “I want a gray shepherd! I saw how they work, I want one!” I would like to clarify the situation a little: the German Shepherd has 4 colors: zoned, saddleback, black and tan and black. It is in this sequence that the dominance of colors decreases, i.e. zonal is the most dominant, black is the least. Let us remember that selection in working breeding was based on the working qualities of the dog. First of all, these are courage, contact, desire to work, temperament, quick adaptation in any conditions, the ability to easily overcome stressful situations, search response, sense of smell, aggressiveness, as well as prey and fight instincts. Accordingly, not so much attention was paid to color and the number of dogs of zonal color prevails in this direction.

In show breeding, the emphasis was on the selection of outwardly harmoniously built, memorable black-backed and bright red dogs with a creeping trot. Therefore, both in the working and in the show areas, there are colors of all four types, only with a predominance of zonal in the working and black in the show, and you should not choose a puppy based only on color.

From the history of the breed. By the 7th century AD In Germany, herding dogs similar to modern German shepherds already existed. These were large and strong animals, distinguished by their devotion to their owner, distrust of strangers and moderate viciousness. These dogs were mainly used for herding livestock, but they could also perform other jobs, such as guarding the farm or protecting the owner. It was they who became the founders of the new breed, when in the second half of the 19th century, targeted work began on breeding a universal dog, which became the embodiment of the best working and exterior qualities of ancient shepherd dogs. In the first breed standard, drawn up in 1899, paramount importance was given to the working and service qualities of representatives of the new breed. According to him, a German Shepherd should have a strong nervous system and character traits such as courage, confidence and inflexibility in achieving goals. Subsequently, the standard was repeatedly rewritten, and when breeding show shepherd dogs, exterior characteristics came to the fore. This is precisely the reason that some breeders, who believe that the dog’s character is of paramount importance, began to breed dogs that are distinguished by excellent working qualities, although they are inferior to their show relatives in appearance.

Separate “working breeding” began in Germany several decades ago, when the development of the German Shepherd sport and the holding of national and international training championships required intensive selection for working qualities. The main criteria for selection and selection in this population were: high interest in work, temperament necessary for speedy and effective execution of exercises, a sufficient degree of toughness and self-confidence, allowing the dog to maintain pressure on defense.

And we’re not just talking about breeding dogs that can pass regulatory tests, but about Sport with a capital S, where the main goal is the coveted 300 points, about real work on the street and detaining real criminals, about a dog’s ability to resist a person in a fight, at the same time time without turning into a wild animal, into whose enclosure it is impossible to enter.

In the working dog population, great importance is attached to the health of the dogs, especially with regard to the inheritance of hip dysplasia. This is very important, since a service dog must be absolutely healthy.

The size of the German Shepherd is also very important for work. The working dog population consists primarily of medium-sized shepherd dogs. Of course, there are both large and small individuals, but still most of the shepherd dogs of working lines are medium-sized dogs: the height of males is 63-64 cm at the withers, females are 58-60 cm.

Today, working-bred German shepherds are participating in the BSP, which have “excellent” and curclass-1 marks in their exterior. They are well pigmented, they have dark masks and eyes, there are practically no defects in their coat, and the pattern on the frontal part and back is well defined. The anatomical structure of working-bred dogs has noticeably improved over the past 5 years. Sometimes, when characterizing the work of a German Shepherd and its psyche, judges and breeding specialists use the term “tough” dog. The German Shepherd should not be “stiff”, it should be manageable and withstand stress, both physical and mental. The so-called “hard” dog has both pros and cons. It can withstand very heavy loads, but the quality of training in such dogs is not very high.

The German Shepherd must have a good ability to learn - conditioned reflexes should be easily developed. She must also have a strong psyche - the processes of excitation and inhibition are mutually regulated. What is also very important is that it must be controllable, especially on defense.

When selecting working shepherd dogs, great attention is paid to the degree of expression of instincts, character, nervous system, and good physical health.

Instincts are an innate form of behavior. They are triggered by external stimuli and serve to survive in the wild. For example, the prey drive arises from the natural hunting behavior of wolves: stalking, chasing, capturing, shaking (ritual bashing) and killing. Instinctive responses are automatic, strong and if the instinct is evoked, it can be very insatiable. Human selection through breeding and selection has modified and shaped these instincts over time. We have endowed certain breeds with certain instincts because they are necessary to serve the purpose for which the dog breed was bred. But even within the same breed, individual dogs have different strengths of instincts and different thresholds of instincts. There are many instincts: hunting, prey, social, protective, etc. Many of them in one form or another are necessary for working dogs, but the prey instinct is the most necessary. A service dog must have a strong prey drive, as this drive is one of the main tools used in all aspects of training - from tracking, to protection, obedience, substance detection, etc.

Instincts give the dog a reason to work and a love for work, thus providing the trainer with an easy, innate system in which to motivate, reward and correct the dog. Many other instincts such as food, hunting and packing are also important for working dogs. Although ideally these specific instincts should be present and strongly expressed.

Temperament is a rather subjective term that describes a dog's overall behavior and personality. There are as many different ways to judge character as there are people and dogs. However, service dogs must have a certain character and possess certain specific traits. They are energetic and get great joy from working with their owners. They must be calm and gentle with children, but have courage and confidence when they or their family are threatened. And they must have the intelligence to read the situation and respond accordingly. They should be curious, not shy when placed in a new environment. They must show loyalty and a desire to work and please their handlers.

The dog's nervous system is closely related to its character. The dog's reaction when it finds itself in a tense, or possibly potentially threatening, situation depends on the nervous system. A dog with a firm, strong nervous system will not back down from a problem. In protection work, when the helper behaves harshly, the dog also becomes harsher. She shows confidence and courage in every situation when faced with a threat, and will confront the threat rather than try to avoid it. Dogs with a strong nervous system are not easily frightened. On the other hand, a dog with a weak nervous system may become easily startled and may become agitated and fearful when encountering strange people, environments, sounds, objects and territory. She will feel threatened even if the threat does not actually exist, and will react to the threat by trying to avoid it or run away. If she cannot escape, she will either withdraw, cowering and showing submission, or lash out in an attempt to make the threat disappear. She will not face the threat with confidence. A dog with a weak nervous system, chosen for personal protection or as a patrol dog, a life-threatening responsibility.

But having a strong character is not enough, it must also be what we call “environmentally resilient.” A dog with a strong nervous system will not be bothered by loud and busy environments, crowds of people, traffic, loud noises, noise, slippery surfaces under paws, confined spaces, darkness, wobbly support underneath, or heights. Tolerance to the environment is the second aspect of the nervous system that is essential to a good working dog.

Of course, it is important that a working dog has the appropriate psychological characteristics, but all of them are nothing if the dog is physically incapable of doing the work. Physical strength should be the goal of every breeding program. For working dogs, this means that the dog has the strength, speed, agility and coordination to get the job done. In addition to proper size and good athleticism, it is very important that the working dog is in excellent health and free from joint dysplasia and other diseases. This should be the result of good breeding and good health care on the part of the owner.

Breeders of working German Shepherds face the difficult task of selecting, maintaining and enhancing the performance characteristics of these dogs according to very strict criteria.

In Kazakhstan, Irina Kruglova and her nursery “from Fort Verny” played a very important role in the appearance, popularization and breeding. She was one of the first to bring working line dogs from Ukraine - the female Irish Zoterhund, and later the male Fado from Legendary Forward. These dogs themselves had outstanding working characteristics and, in combination, successfully passed them on to their children.

Irish Zotterhund, 2009

Many successfully performing and working dogs have Irish and Fado in their pedigree. There was also a selection process and excellent dogs were brought from Germany: males Butch (Baron von Tiefen Quelle), who took 10th place at the World Championship in 2021 among 128 best dogs in the world, Argos vom alten Gatter, who continue to perform and give excellent offspring. I was lucky to buy one of the first puppies from Argos and Zendi (daughter of Irish and Fado) - Panther from Fort Verny. For me, this dog opened up a new world of enormous possibilities for working with dogs. She is like pliable clay from which you can mold as you wish. It was so easy and interesting for me to work with her that I wanted to try in all areas. In addition to obedience and protection, she and I tried agility, a little tricks and dancing with dogs. I think she would have shown herself successfully there too, I just wasn’t enough anymore, I still had to work and devote some time to my family. Now Panther is 3 years old, and she and I have achieved quite serious success: we passed OKD and GS to the first degree, VN (companion dog), passed the first level of IGP (IGP-1), took part in city competitions in OKD and GS, where Panther took first place, passed the Kerung and received Kerclass-1 (kkl-1), she was the best in the muttest at the special breed show. We continue to work with her and plan to further improve and take part in sports competitions at a higher level.

Last year the first litter was received from Panther and Butch. The puppies are very pleasing and are already showing high motivation and desire to work. Having received such results, I thought about the prospects for popularizing the working German Shepherd and increasing the number of high-quality livestock in Kazakhstan. Having analyzed, together with Irina and athletes from Russia, a lot of promising dogs from Europe, tracking their matings, we selected the male Weedfald Hanibal from Ixtrem vom Eisernen Kreuz (Germany) and Weedfald Carma (Denmark), which I brought last December from Denmark. Now he is one year old, and he is very pleased with his successes, and, I hope, will fully justify his belonging to the working line of the German Shepherd.

Weedfald Hanibal

I would like to note that I am lucky to have like-minded people who are passionate about the breed, development, training, and bring new excellent blood. So, for example, Olga Tarnovskaya brought a male Jeff vom Ludwigseck from Germany, Erik Dauletov brought a male Klraq vd rohnsaler bach and a female Elba vom Liesbachtal from Germany, Natalya Rauzina has several generations of dogs obtained in Kazakhstan. I believe that in the near future we will have many excellent dogs capable of working in the service and performing in sports. And a team of athletes with excellent dogs will be able to perform well from Kazakhstan!

Nadezhda Zakharchenko

Photos by I. Chernysheva, M. Azarenkov, provided by the author

sport training german shepherd

Differences in the exterior of dogs of different lines

Working-bred German Shepherds even today look exactly the same as their distant ancestor Horand von Grafarth (Max von Stefanitz's dog, first used by him for breeding work): lean build, with a straight back and high-set straight limbs, low, mostly zonal - gray color.

It is this exterior that allows the dog to move at lightning speed, remain healthy, be active and motivated even under very heavy loads. Next to their incredibly beautiful brothers from kennels, show-class dogs, they seem like homely mongrels.

Breeding individuals are always larger, with a bright (often black and red) color, their back is sloping due to shorter hind limbs, which provides the dog with a soft creeping step when moving in the show ring. The heads of show-class dogs are also slightly larger and more expressive than the skulls of working-bred German Shepherds.

Differences in the character of working and show breeding German Shepherds

But the main difference between the two lines is not even the exterior, but the temperament. Show-class dogs are more melancholic; in working breeding, such individuals are rejected in favor of energetic dogs with a bold and even tough character. This is necessary for more effective performance of training exercises, and the ability to withstand pressure during protective service exercises. Therefore, it is unlikely that a German Shepherd of working breeding will be able to become a simple pet, a rescue dog or a guide dog. Her temperament and rigidity will not allow her to be moderately calm and reasonable. But at international training championships or when detaining criminals and violators, she will have no equal.

Training and education

Training a German Shepherd puppy begins as early as possible - from the first days the pet arrives in the house. Education at home continues throughout childhood and adolescence - up to 10-12 months. This is the best time to firmly assimilate commands.

Age-specific learning characteristics

Raising a dog is carried out in stages, taking into account its psychological characteristics. At each age, the puppy can better learn certain commands.

Training recommendations:

1. Age 1-2 months. The time when the pet is taught its name. They pet him, call him by name several times and treat him with a treat. The exercise is repeated until the dog learns to respond.
2. Age 2-4 months. The pet is taught according to the order “come to me!” approach the owner. When pronouncing the command, you need to keep the treat in sight and reward it for the correct action. During the same period, the puppy is accustomed to the place. A certain area in the house is set up for him, bedding and toys are placed there. To reinforce the command, the pet is taken to its corner and they say “place!”, after which they give a treat. It is also advisable to teach the puppy from an early age to obey prohibitions: the command “fu!” or “you can’t!” pronounced in a stern, loud voice if the pet does something wrong. If you are raising a service dog, you can begin training the “voice!” command during this same period.
3. After 4 months. Teaching more complex commands that require endurance from the dog: “near!”, “sit!” and “lie down!” It is necessary that the puppy follows the order until the moment when the owner receives the command “Walk!” The command execution time is increased gradually, starting from a few seconds. With your puppy, you can begin training in overcoming small obstacles. Since the dog’s musculoskeletal system has not yet become stronger, it should not be given a large load. You can start fetching classes - during walks the puppy is allowed to sniff a stick, thrown and rewarded if the dog brings it to the owner. The desire to serve is natural for this breed.

The video shows training a German Shepherd puppy. Filmed by WalkService channel.

Rules for raising a dog

For training to be effective, several rules must be followed:

1. Training is carried out in a playful way, starting with the simplest commands and tasks.
2. For following the command, they must be rewarded: with a treat, a gentle voice, stroking.
3. At an early age, the puppy is not reprimanded or punished for mistakes or failure to follow orders. You should be patient and persistent and wait until he is able to complete them. As they grow older, reproach is expressed with strict intonation, a loud sound, or a light slap. You should not hit the dog too hard, as this can develop cowardice or attacks of aggression.
4. Reinforcement and punishment should follow immediately after the dog responds correctly or incorrectly. Only in this way can the animal's mind understand the connection.
5. Puppies should not be allowed to do things for which an adult dog would be punished.
6. You should start teaching commands at home, in a familiar environment for the puppy. In the future, learning continues on walks.
7. It is better to train your pet daily, preferably at the same time. The load and complexity of tasks should be increased gradually.

German Shepherd head standard

The head of a German Shepherd of working breeding, according to the standard, is wedge-shaped, slightly wide between the erect ears and gradually tapering towards the nose, which must be black. When viewed from the side, the forehead should stand out a little from the general background.

The jaws of a working-bred German Shepherd should be more powerful and highly developed than those of show-class dogs. The bite is scissor, that is, the teeth overlap each other, other options are unacceptable.

The eyes of a German Shepherd are most often black; light-eyed dogs are not so expressive.

Lines and angles of the German Shepherd's limbs - breed standard

The neck is necessarily strong and muscular, located at an angle of 45° relative to the body.

The back, like the neck, should be strong, and the croup should be long, slightly sloping (literally 15-20°), gradually turning into a tail. The latter, in turn, should not be short, but not longer than the metatarsus, and slightly curved.

The dog's limbs should provide it with soft, smooth movement, so the front legs should be located at an angle of 90° to the body, and the hind legs should be slightly further apart. The correct placement of the paws allows the German Shepherd to move at incredible speed, moving the hind legs the length of the body, and throwing the front legs forward the same distance.

German Shepherd and house guard

Remembering the “Germans” of yesteryear, many people assume that a working-bred shepherd dog will become an excellent friend, and most importantly, a fearless protector for the family. And it’s true, working-bred dogs are incredibly loyal animals. But numerous reviews of the German Shepherd for guarding a private house say that a temperamental animal is unlikely to be able to remain idle for a long time in the yard, or in an enclosure, of a private house; it will be even more difficult for him in an apartment. Its purpose is active training, working with the owner not for a reward, like other dogs, but because of immense love and devotion to him.

Great excitement and the need to throw out energy drives the shepherd when attacking and fighting with the person involved. Without all this, the dog will unwittingly turn into a “home destroyer” and will, at best, simply be isolated from others. Therefore, a representative of “working blood” should be purchased only for the purpose of participating in Schutzhund sport competitions or for active specialized service. Moreover, the appropriate age for training a German Shepherd is only 6 months.

Nervous system

Yes, here the FRGs are losing to the GDRs. The fact is that the initial breeding of German shepherds at the “show” level assumed ideal anatomical data. Issues of the nervous system and psychological stability were little considered. But this does not mean that the “show” dog is a stupid sofa cushion. With competent, consistent training, amazing results can be achieved from an animal. On a muttest (nipper), such a “showman” will turn out to be better than his working “brother”, and in everyday life too. The main thing is to properly motivate the dog.

However, “hard workers” are much more physically active and show interest in working with their owner and in training. They are more resilient than “show people”, both physically and psychologically. The latter lack “drive”; Germans work for a toy or a treat. Working shepherd dogs are ready to serve their owner just because he is the owner.

How to buy a puppy?

A very small part of these dogs end up in the hands of ordinary people, which is why it will be very difficult to find working bred German Shepherd puppies for open sale. Under no circumstances should you pay attention to advertisements on the street or in newspapers - the risk is too great that, under the guise of a German Shepherd puppy of working blood, the buyer will be offered ordinary mongrels. It is better to search on forums for fans of this breed. A similar option would be the increasingly popular groups of like-minded people on social networks. Most often, beginners are advised to go to a specialized nursery.

You need to get as much information as possible about the puppies being offered, as well as their parents: photos of the puppy, past achievements of the parents, the presence of hereditary diseases, vaccinations, etc. It is worth understanding that the price of a working-bred German Shepherd can be several times higher than the cost of a show puppy. class and can reach several thousand euros.

It is better to choose a specific puppy together with a specialist who will tell you which baby will actively train and show excellent results in the future. The main thing you should pay attention to is the activity and curiosity of the puppy. He should not be timid, passive or unplayful. After all negotiations on the price of a German Shepherd have been settled and all the necessary recommendations on maintenance have been received, the puppy can be taken home and turned into a worthy representative of working German Shepherds.

Differences in the anatomy of show and working shepherd dogs

What are the differences in the anatomy of show dogs and working dogs?
I think each of us can imagine them well. Although there is also quite a lot in common. With regret, I note that the management of SV in Germany took the wrong position for a long time. Therefore, even in the breeding of service dogs, we have many animals that do not meet the assigned tasks, precisely from an anatomical point of view. In addition, there are still many breeders in Germany who are convinced that they can raise a versatile German Shepherd with the appearance of a show dog. But, thank God, all these people remained in SV. RSV took the Stefanitz Standard as a basis without changes. It has not lost its significance to this day, and most breeders adhere to it. We make no secret of the fact that many of our dogs have problems with angles. RSV President Mr. Reiser developed and ordered a special tool that allows precise angle measurements. When we measured most of our dogs, we found that their parameters were close to the Stefanitz Standard. At one time, he was accepted into SV, but was changed by a strong-willed decision, although the management will never admit this. They claim that they are still breeding Shepherd dogs according to Stefanitz. But just look at the best representatives from SV nurseries to be convinced of the opposite. Things have gone so far that even people who do not have deep knowledge of canine anatomy notice discrepancies with the classical standard. For example, an artificially low croup as a result of disproportionately overdeveloped anterior and excessive angles of the hind limbs. To a normal person, such a dog looks crooked and unhealthy. It is impossible to work with her because she does not meet the requirements for service dogs. In addition, the use of such dogs is very limited in time, as well as their life and activity period. Not to mention health problems, mainly dermatological. Unfortunately, such dogs are also among the breeding animals. It is no coincidence that RSV 2000 included in its requirements a detailed description of the health and mentality of shepherd dogs. These tests are usually performed by Ms. Sabel, our lead dog handler. Sometimes examining just the dog’s skin takes half an hour. This does not include a thorough check of the eyes, breathing, ears, paws, and a complete check of the teeth. All parameters are strictly documented. I hope that such examinations will help overcome at least some of the problems associated with the health of German Shepherds. Today, even the most outstanding and successful dogs are not deprived of them. As far as I know, out of a large number of examined males, only three dogs had no signs of dermatological diseases. The majority suffered to varying degrees from skin inflammation, allergic reactions, eczema, inflammation in the paws, problems with the eyes, eyelids, ears, etc. RSV-2000

is a German Shepherd breeding club. Our club concentrates on breeding working dogs. Our club is the heir to the idea of ​​M. von Stefanitz at the present time. The Chairman of the Union is E. Ecker, a world-famous breeder from "von der Fasanerie", assisted by his deputy V. Zabel from the nursery "von der Schafbachmuhle". Responsible for the Union's website is G. Fern, a world-famous dog handler, G. Reiser will take care of the Union's finances, Dr. Helmut Reiser is responsible for both breeding and training. This position on the board of the Union is the most important and indivisible, like the brain and the heart. We have our own website www.rsv2000.de. The website is the core of our club.

— In addition to virtual examinations and measurements, is there a practice of annual electrocardiograms and other serious planned studies?

No. So far, such a practice does not exist. I myself am fighting for its implementation. I believe that it is necessary to conduct a computed tomography scan of the elbow joints or a magnetic resonance imaging study of the hip joints. But, unfortunately, not everyone shares my point of view. Until now, such studies are carried out only on a voluntary basis. This involves a lot of money, although it will pay off because we are committed to producing an exclusive product. There are many buyers who are ready to purchase puppies from such nurseries. People will not hesitate to pay a few hundred euros extra if they are sure that the manufacturers really do not have health problems. Modern breeding is guilty of producing a large number of cheap puppies - and this is a common problem.

— Do you do ECG and ultrasound examinations for your dogs?

I know canine athletes who regularly conduct such examinations. But they only have one dog. As for shepherd dogs, such studies are more typical of sports dog breeding, rather than breeding. Heavy and large dogs have more health problems when stressed. Therefore, I give preference to less heavy and medium-sized shepherd dogs. In general, I believe that working dog breeding should gradually abandon large, heavy dogs and move on to lighter ones. This does not mean that a large dog cannot be completely healthy. I know that many large sheepdogs are absolute athletes. They run fast, play well, and have not had any health problems for many years. But I also know small shepherd dogs that have many such problems. In principle, it is obvious to all of us that the smaller the dog, the lighter it is in size and weight, the fewer problems it has. Of course, I'm talking now about German Shepherds that do not go beyond the standard. Additionally, you should take care that their backs are not too long. In a service dog, the strength of the joints, bones and the condition of the dental system play an important role. At RSV 2000 we continually take careful measurements of all joint angles. It seems like a small thing, but it will allow us to draw far-reaching conclusions regarding heredity. For example, at one time I insisted on a more detailed description of the length and position of the tail. My experience has shown that those dogs whose tails are most often raised up have practically no back problems. And I believe that in many show dogs, back problems are associated precisely with the specific position of the tail. It is now fashionable to have long tails that drag along the ground, but this entails an incorrect structure of the dog's back. I am sure that the dragging tail is a consequence of existing back problems.

— You talked about the undesirable length of the back, but the length of the thoracic region should be sufficient?

You are right in that it makes no sense to raise short dogs. But the whole point is that the German Shepherd has a clear tendency to have an extra vertebra. In terms of mobility, a short dog has many more advantages. Think about the Malinois. There are too many overly angled Shepherds these days. From my point of view, the ideal working dog with ideal anatomy is the Malinois. But they are also very different from each other. Therefore, the anatomical features of a particular dog give little to assess its working qualities. To assess the qualities of a working dog, it is necessary to conduct a multifaceted test so that it is possible to determine the speed of its movement, the ability to make high jumps, show strength, and the ability to bite. That is, I believe that a service dog should be evaluated on every point necessary for its work. As in all-around sports, each characteristic is assessed with a certain number of points. The dog with the most points will be the best service dog. For example, a system of more than 3000 points is “good”, more than 4000 is “excellent”. It would be more objective in assessing the qualities of a working dog than the one that is accepted now - when the judge, with his subjective opinion, makes a visual inspection and awards a score. Of course, many other criteria can be added, as I do in RSV. Breed of the head, quality of the ears and eyes. But for me, as a breeder of service dogs, all these factors play a secondary role.

— What is the reason for the increase in the growth of the German Shepherd?

Firstly, this is the breeding of a special type of dog. What is in demand is supplied to the market. And the market requires large shepherd dogs. Now this applies primarily to show dogs. For example, I receive an order from the USA. The family wants to get a shepherd. The first question Americans always ask is how much does a dog weigh? In their understanding, a shepherd must weigh more than 100 pounds (more than 45 kg). More meat for the same money.

“But Americans cannot dictate to the European market what kind of dogs to breed.

Of course not. And it's not just the Americans. Let's take the Chinese - the largest modern sales market. They have exactly the same weight requirements. Of course, this primarily applies to show dogs. And although in Germany there is a lot of talk about the correct use of medium and small males in service dog breeding, when I look at the mating cards, I see that they mainly use males larger than medium size. The second factor is also related to genetics, or even more likely to changes in our environment, lifestyle, and nutrition. People have also become larger in recent years.

— How actively are German shepherds sold to the countries of Southeast Asia?

Fortunately, this only applies to show dogs, with which I have no connection. And they buy mainly show champions. But now there is already interest in buying real service and working dogs. Asia is a huge market for show dogs, and show dog breeders are certainly taking advantage of this opportunity. For example, I recently spoke with a famous German breeder. He said that he had already forgotten when he sold his puppies to the Germans. All of his puppies are sold to China. They pay more and there are no problems.

— And if a buyer from China is interested in buying the best working dogs, how likely is it that they will be sold from Germany?

This market is clearly structured, and all the threads are held in the hands of a certain group of people. For example, last year I sold a very good dog to China, but I never saw a buyer. It was sold by two intermediary breeders, who received the main profit. One is a service dog breeding judge, the other is a conformation judge. Both from SV. Everyone wants to make big money.

— What method is used to measure dogs in RSV?

We have a slightly different measurement principle and we get higher values ​​than when measuring using the SV method. For example, according to SV, chest depth is measured at its lowest point, vertically down to the ground. We measure at the highest point. That is, if the dog is standing in front of me, then the line runs at an angle between the front paws. The instrument is placed not under the chest, but between the front paws. Thus, we measure the deepest place. But if you press on the dog's back, the depth can be changed, which is what they do when measuring in SV. When we place the instrument at an angle, we get an accurate measurement at the highest point of the dog’s back. A comprehensive assessment of a dog consists of an assessment of every detail of the exterior, numbering a certain number of points. Large dogs receive fewer points. We still don't have a consensus on the rating system. We decided that for three years we will grade according to the criteria that exist today. After this, a special commission will review the results and, if necessary, make special proposals to change the system. This scoring system is used not only to evaluate the dog anatomically, but also to evaluate its mentality. I have mixed feelings about this. In principle, I am her opponent. There is always competition when using points and grading. Many people try to change the qualities and properties of the dog in such a way as to get more points. This system is harmful for breeding. In my opinion, one description of the dog is enough. But people like competition. RSV and SV operate according to the same von Stephanitz Standard of 1889. But one person complies with all his requirements, and for another the standard is just a cover. To understand what I'm talking about, look at dogs.

— What can you tell us about the changes in the Standard introduced by SV?

No changes have been made to RSV yet. In principle, any kennel club has the right, if not to change the Standard, then at least to make proposals for changes, which are either approved or not. So far we see no reason for changes. Although SV decided to make changes regarding the length of shepherd dogs. They ask to allow dogs to participate in the comparison of short-size dogs and want to make their own ring and tests with assessments for them. This is explained by the fact that SV is losing money due to the non-participation of long-haired dogs in exhibitions. Another factor is the love of ordinary people for the d/sh shepherd dog. If SV makes this change, we will be required to accept it. According to the rules, the parent organization, the German Dog Breeders' Union, must contact us and ask what we think about this. I am familiar with the main documents and if the Standard is changed, the Union is obliged to survey all societies dealing with such shepherd dogs. I believe that in the near future RSV will remain the only organization competent in matters of service dog breeding and will be able to influence the adoption of legal documents. This is all the more important since both in Germany and in many European countries the attitude towards the protective qualities of service dogs has changed. In Belgium, Austria and three federal states of Germany there have been requests to ban the use of dogs for protective purposes. And, as far as I know, SV is not eager to stand up for working dogs.

— At what level is this decision?

According to the latest information, over 7,000 signatures have been collected in Austria against this bill, and it has so far been rejected. But I think that in the future there will be serious pressure on protection work and attempts will be made to ban it.

— Is this also true for sport dog breeding?

Yes, and for sports, as a basis, too.
The protective functions of dogs will remain at the disposal of departments only. This is the kind of policy pursued by sporting working dog unions. They try to talk as little as possible about aggression, to reduce everything to a game, so that it sounds neutral to outsiders. I don't know a single person, be it a major dog handler, a famous breeder or a politician, who actually actively campaigns for dog aggressiveness, like Helmut Reiser
. We are in a vicious circle. An IPO is not harmful, but it does no good either. The quality of service dogs in Germany has declined significantly. The chic exterior is highlighted. Many service dog handlers in Germany are cowards. Lately I have been getting returned from the police too often. They return excellent dogs for the simple reason that they cannot find a brave handler to work with them. It's high time to breed not dogs, but people. Although there are exceptions. We have old police units. There are both guides and dogs - it couldn’t be better. But, unfortunately, there are very few of them. Previously, complex competitions were held with the participation of both police officers and athletes. Now all this is becoming a thing of the past. For example, comparison of the work of service dogs was replaced by agility. But the general trend seems to be that the demand for service dogs is growing all the time.

— How do you see the ideal behavior of a German Shepherd?

Although in RSV there are more representatives of sports dog breeding than service dog breeding, compared to SV, service dog breeding is more widely represented. All the leading breeders in this area have come to us. It is very difficult to give a clear answer about the qualities of a service dog. Different countries have different requirements for working dogs. In many countries, a service dog must have a dual purpose and training such a dog is very difficult. Only this year we as an organization received the right to take part in competitions. This means that we can implement our qualifications, and in July the first qualification for the FCI World Championship took place in Northern Germany. And in the fall we organized the first German Championship with international participation. But RBV does not participate in the Bundesliga, which is held by SV. As a member organization of the FCI, we must comply with certain requirements. However, Helmut Reiser developed his own criteria for assessing these requirements. First of all, this is a separation from IPO, because this discipline does not provide any information for further breeding of dogs. Mr. Reiser is currently developing a new system for evaluating sporting dogs. Easier for the judge and fairer for the guide. We have never set ourselves the task of using an IPO to determine a dog’s suitability for breeding. These are different things. For the participation of dogs in breeding, we have adopted our own assessment systems, for example, assessment of mentality and kerungi (measurements). This principle was also used in the German Malinois Club, which showed us that great success in the sport can be achieved by using a system for assessing the suitability of dogs for breeding. IPO test results do not provide the breeder with any information. The dog's upbringing plays a big role here. Against this background, her own qualities are blurred. Trail work is also a sport. Just like in IPO, education and training come to the fore, not the personal qualities of the dog.

— How do you conduct character testing?

We have abandoned the deliberate stimulation of dogs. Emphasis on obedience. The dog does not know that the person involved is somewhere nearby. The handler with the dog on a leash is on the site. The sleeveless figure comes out of hiding without showing any aggression. There is no stimulation at all. We look at how the dog reacts to the appearance of the helper. How closely she looks at him and what her reaction is. Does she show attention to a passive or aggressive person involved. And will the dog show interest if prey (sleeve) appears? I know dogs that never show their qualities until they are presented with a sleeve. Most often, internal conflict in dogs arises when they are forced to act without prey. All their reactions are recorded. Describes the intensity with which the dog shows its attention. After this, mining comes into play. We note how quickly a dog moves from aggression to prey. The point where my dogs always lose points because they are the most aggressive. The dog that instantly switches from aggression to prey gets the highest number of points. At my training center, aggression is specifically trained, so this deficiency applies to all my dogs.

— Why isn’t the reverse test done—the transition from prey to aggression?

This is not done for one simple reason. It is more difficult for a dog to work without equipment and at a long distance. The dog perceives working with prey as a game. Otherwise, she gets into trouble. I am convinced that a dog with well-developed aggression will never be able to instantly switch to prey. This is just one of the exercises. We want to collect as much information as possible on each dog, as this is also necessary for breeding. It may seem that such testing is a very long and boring process, not limited to one generation. But I am sure that in 15-20 years our recordings will bear very good fruit. We have already legislated the conditions for mandatory testing for admission to breeding.

— How long is this test designed for?

The duration of all exercises is 20-25 minutes. For example, a calm attitude towards strangers is tested.

— At what age are these tests carried out?

From 12 months. Unlike SV, in RSV both females and males are allowed to breed without passing a protection and obedience exam, but with a mandatory character test. All breeders receive these results in their hands. In the future, all this information will be open to free access on the Internet.

— How do you feel about the idea of ​​a premium kerung?

The Premium Dog was developed on the initiative of Mr. Ritz (publisher of the Service Dog magazine). The idea is to develop specific evaluation criteria for each breed of service dog. Compared to the character test, I consider premium kerung to be a speculative thing, just like majoring, although it is attractive to the public. Our system boils down to collecting as much information as possible about the dog using uniform, clear criteria.

— What standards today deserve attention and provide the most complete information about the working qualities of dogs?

The standards of the Dutch KNPV remain the most effective to this day. For two days, the dog, while among strangers, must perform certain exercises, maintaining balance and loyalty. This system has proven itself well for testing service dogs. All famous trainers agree with the effectiveness of these standards. Majoring, unlike KNPV, is not bad, but it is more of a show. The main point I want to make is that a young dog should learn as early as possible how it will work in the future. The difference between KNPV dogs and my own is that KNPV dogs are more obedient and never show aggression towards their handler. And mine do. I have repeatedly purchased KNPV dogs that were sold due to aggression towards the handler. KNPV specialists strive to obtain dogs with a tough but obedient character and at the same time well socialized. Maybe that's right.

KNPV

- police training system in Holland

Interview with Hans Bodenmaier

Igor Shustov

, photo by Yana Khorunzhey and Evgenia Petrushina

Magazine “Friend” No. 10, 2010. Permission to publish was obtained for our website from the editors of the magazine “Friend for DOG Lovers”

magazine photo copying prohibited