Questions and answers related to breeding the German Shepherd

Each member of the Schäferhundverein RSV2000 e.V. [German Shepherd Association RSV2000 e.V.] should be aware of the course a Deutscher Schäferhund’s [German Shepherd] breeding career takes in his association. At first, questions of a general nature will be addressed and answered followed by questions from the point of view of the owner of the bitch and the owner of the male.

All pedigrees issued by member clubs or associations affiliated with the FCI and/or the VDG are recognized by the Schäferhundverein RSV2000 e.V. [German Shepherd Association RSV2000 e.V.].

Trials that are taken by an association recognized by VDH or the FCI and are carried out according to the Trial Rules of the VDH or the FCI are, of course, recognized by the Schäferhundverein RSV2000 e.V. [German Shepherd Association RSV2000 e.V.].

The Schäferhundverein RSV2000 e.V. [German Shepherd Association RSV2000 e.V.] recognizes equally any Körung [breed survey] taken prior to membership in the Schäferhundverein RSV2000 e.V. [German Shepherd Association RSV2000 e.V.] in the Verein für Deutsche Schäferhunde (SV ) e.V.[German Shepherd Dog Club] or at another association belonging to WUSV [Weltunion der Schäferhundvereine = The World Union of German Shepherd Dog Clubs], or a Körung [breed survey] which the dog took prior to its purchase by a member of the Schäferhundverein RSV2000 e.V. [German Shepherd Association RSV2000 e.V.].

Simply put: Yes, a Körung [breed survey] is recognized if it was taken before the member or the dog became a member of the Schäferhundverein RSV2000 e.V. [German Shepherd Association RSV2000 e.V.].

The following preconditions must be fulfilled in order to be allowed to breed with a Deutscher Schäferhund [German Shepherd] in the Schäferhundverein RSV2000 e.V. [German Shepherd Association RSV2000 e.V.]:

No faults, which preclude breeding according to the Breeding Rules, or the Breed Standards.

The dog must have been presented in a confirmation show and have been awarded “good” or better; the judge must be recognized by the Schäferhundverein RSV2000 and/or VDH/FCI.

The following health certificates must be available at the Schäferhundverein RSV2000 e.V. [German Shepherd Association RSV2000 e.V.]. (Here you will find out more about the order of events.)

• X-ray certificate for HD with a result of normal (A), almost normal (B) or still permissible (C).
• X-ray certificate for ED with a result of normal (A), almost normal (B) or still permissible (C).
• DNA profile to safeguard the identity of the dog as well as a possible determination of his progeny's ancestry.

A German Shepherd with a result C for HD/ED can only be bred to a dog A for HD respectively ED.

You can read more about the DNA process here.

The dog must be presented and be described at a Talentsichtung [aptitude evaluation] at the earliest at 12 months old.

This is a pivotal issue and therefore requires a more detailed explanation: On the one hand, the Schäferhundverein RSV2000 e.V. [German Shepherd Association RSV2000 e.V.] pursues the goal of maintaining an extensive gene pool and would therefore like the entry into breeding to be as simple as possible. This is no problem for a breed as strongly represented as the Deutscher Schäferhund [German Shepherd] in terms of the entire population. On the other hand, the Schäferhundverein RSV2000 e.V. [German Shepherd Association RSV2000 e.V.] sees the long-term promotion of the Deutscher Schäferhund's [German Shepherd] health as its utmost priority. Dog sports and breeding dogs should be fun and exciting. Therefore, the Schäferhundverein RSV2000 e.V. [German Shepherd Association RSV2000 e.V.] is relying on a bonus instead of a deduction system: The willingness to make information available, to be active or compete nationally is rewarded. A Sichtung [evaluation] should also be fun, the dog handler should find out things about his dog, and he should take pleasure in his dog.

Specifically, this means:  Participation at a Talentsichtung [aptitude evaluation] entitles to one litter; a litter is credited to the litter account. When all other preconditions for breeding are fulfilled and the minimum age is reached, the bitch can have a litter, and the male have one mating.  With a Schutzhundprüfung [protection dog trials], the bitch acquires further entitlements to have a litter which are then credited to the litter account; the male is credited with further entitlements to mate. After a predetermined number of progeny (here approximately seventy to one hundred are envisaged), at least 50 percent of these progeny must have been presented at a Talentsichtung [aptitude evaluation] and hips and elbows X-rayed with a negative evaluation (not showing any disorders).  Dogs whose progeny do not fulfill these conditions can no longer be used for breeding - irrespective of whether they still have a mating or litter entitlement on their mating or litter account.

Dogs whose progeny fulfill these conditions are released for further mating. Just how many matings this will entail, as from when and under which preconditions a dog may be used for breeding - possibly even after his death by way of artificial insemination - is still being discussed. The future will show which values are sensible and even then, these will most certainly always be subject to change. Changes will be orientated towards the aforementioned goals, the extent of the gene pool and the promotion of the dogs' health.

With its simple and then staggered use for breeding, the RSV2000's breeding program is completely new. Even artificial insemination is a completely new step.

On the other hand, the RSV2000 naturally applies the Breed Standard of the Deutscher Schäferhund [German Shepherd] as laid down by the FCI. For example, the standard also determines certain faults, which preclude breeding. These standards are also binding for RSV2000.

As the RSV200 does not have all X-ray information of all Deutscher Schäferhund [German Shepherd] in Germany, or rather the number of those dogs registered with the RSV2000 could be too small for the time being, it is unfortunately not possible to offer a breeding valuation. However: The RSV2000 is considering alternative breeding programs in conjunction with its scientific adviser. Thus, it must be considered whether dogs with an HD evaluation of C (light HD) may, under certain circumstances, only be paired with a dog with an HD evaluation of A (HD free). However, these and other considerations are still in the discussion phase.

During a Talentsichtung [aptitude evaluation] the mental characteristics and the type characteristics of a dog that is at least twelve months old are recorded according to fixed guidelines and are documented with regard to breeding.  The Talentsichtung [aptitude evaluation] is a mandatory precondition for use in breeding. Once completed, the male or the bitch will receive the stipulated number of matings / litters credited to his/her mating account.

You will find dates and places here.

A Talentsichtung [aptitude evaluation] is a precondition for breeding. Without it, the goal of data transparency cannot be achieved.

Even dogs who have already fulfilled all breeding preconditions in the Verein für Deutsche Schäferhunde (SV) [German Shepherd Dog Club] or any club affiliated with the WUSV must take part in a Talentsichtung [aptitude evaluation] for breeding in the Schäferhundverein RSV2000 e.V. [German Shepherd Association RSV2000 e.V.].

An older dog can also take part in the Talentsichtung [aptitude evaluation] for the admission to breed so that all information can be recorded via the matrix. (Each dog is described in the ZG matrix in terms of his appearance as well as his mental characteristics.)

Molecular genetic knowledge, which we hope to gain for the future, forms the basis of breeding hereditary healthy dogs. This is still all a long way off; but even today, a lot can be done to secure all possibilities in this field.

The accuracy of the pedigree is the basis for any kind of research, for example with regard to hereditary diseases. The goal, therefore, is to have as many dogs in the DNA database as possible in order to draw up a proof of pedigree as soon as possible.
Furthermore, one can now calculate how closely individual animals of a population are probably related to each other. This can be done via a DNA profile, but not via an incest calculation. Just imagine seeing how closely a male you have chosen for breeding is related to your bitch at a glance! A glimpse in the genotype!

The Schäferhundverein RSV2000 e.V. [German Shepherd Association RSV2000 e.V.] would like to instruct GenoCanin as early as possible - already in 2008 - to calculate and present the so-called genetic distance between two Deutscher Schäferhund [German Shepherd]. For this, we need a DNA profile of as many Deutscher Schäferhund [German Shepherd] as possible.

We, therefore, kindly also ask all owners of Deutscher Schäferhund [German Shepherd] who already have a DNA stock number in the Schäferhundverein RSV2000 e.V. [German Shepherd Association RSV2000 e.V.] to send in another blood sample.

Please click here to find out more about the procedure.

Our partner for molecular genetic studies is PD Dr. Ina Pfeiffer of GenoCanin at the University of Kassel. You can find more information under: www.genoCanin.de
Tel.: +49 (0) 561 8047684

A dog's DNA must also be isolated from the exfoliation of mouth swab or hair. In the event of a mouth swab, the quantities are, however, extremely minute and the material could not be used for further testing. With regard to hair, the risk of contamination (e.g. if the mother dog licks the pups) is very high and this process should only be used as an exception.

The accuracy of the pedigree is the basis for any kind of research, for example with regard to hereditary diseases. The goal, therefore, is to have as many dogs in the DNA database as possible in order to draw up a proof of pedigree as soon as possible.
Furthermore, one can now calculate how closely individual animals of a population are probably related to each other. This can be done via a DNA profile, but not via an incest calculation. Just imagine seeing how closely a male you have chosen for breeding is related to your bitch at a glance! A glimpse in the genotype!

The Schäferhundverein RSV2000 e.V. [German Shepherd Association RSV2000 e.V.] would like to instruct GenoCanin as early as possible - already in 2008 - to calculate and present the so-called genetic distance between two Deutscher Schäferhund [German Shepherd]. For this, we need a DNA profile of as many Deutscher Schäferhund [German Shepherd] as possible.

We, therefore, kindly also ask all owners of Deutscher Schäferhund [German Shepherd] who already have a DNA stock number in the Schäferhundverein RSV2000 e.V. [German Shepherd Association RSV2000 e.V.] to send in another blood sample.

Please click here to find out more about the procedure.

Our partner for molecular genetic studies is PD Dr. Ina Pfeiffer of GenoCanin at the University of Kassel. You can find more information under: www.genoCanin.de
Tel.: +49 (0) 561 8047684

A blood sample can be taken from the dog at any age. Naturally, we are interested to obtain material from as many dogs as possible. We are grateful to any breeder who ensures that blood samples of all whelps out of a litter are sent in. Please discuss this with your veterinarian whether he can take a blood sample already when giving the whelps’ first injections. (Please consider that the veins are still very delicate at this age and that pups do not really keep still.) Every visit to your veterinarian, e.g. for the rabies injection at the age of 13 weeks, is a good opportunity to take a blood sample and to send it in.

Yes. This is unavoidable. The blood sample that was taken at the time is stored at the institute with which SV currently collaborates. The Schäferhundverein RSV2000 [German Shepherd Association RSV2000 e.V.] has absolutely no access to this information; apart from this, the information would also not be compatible.

In this case, a DNA profile cannot be utilized by the Schäferhundverein RSV2000 [German Shepherd Association RSV2000 e.V.]. Each institute has its own processes. There are no standards. Any Deutscher Schäferhund [German Shepherd] owner living abroad should please send the blood sample to the same institute in Kassel.

Initially, we will mainly be storing the data. However, should a litter fall within a combination for which the DNA profile of both parents is stored (at GenoCanin or the Schäferhundverein RSV2000 [German Shepherd Association RSV2000 e.V.], we will immediately create a match.

A DNA profile created by GenoCanin can stand up in court; therefore, it offers the greatest possible guarantee.

As soon as there is a sufficient number of profiles, we are considering carrying out a survey to ascertain the genetic degree of relationship between all Deutscher Schäferhund [German Shepherd] registered with the Schäferhundverein RSV2000 [German Shepherd Association RSV2000 e.V.]. To present the actual purpose of all this would go beyond the scope of this website.

It is understood that we will use all new possibilities, which arise out of molecular genetic research as far as these are of interest for the Deutscher Schäferhund [German Shepherd].

No, that is not necessary. These evaluations also apply in the RSV2000.

Yes, of course. The dog must fulfill all conditions that the Breeding rules of the RSV2000 ask for. As long as an individual bitch belongs to a certain breeder, she can only be bred in the club the breeder chose for breeding. The breeder can only change once between the SV and the RSV 2000, not from one litter to another.

A (male) dog whose owner is only member of the SV can be bred in the RSV2000 after a single permission of the LAZ, if this dog attended a Talentsichtung and fulfills all the other breeding conditions as well.

No, this is not possible.