General Appearance:
The first impression of a good German Shepherd Dog is that of a strong, agile, well muscled animal, alert and full of life. It is well balanced, with harmonious development of the forequarter and hindquarter. The dog is longer than tall, deep-bodied, and presents an outline of smooth curves rather than angles. It looks substantial and not spindly, giving the impression, both at rest and in motion, of muscular fitness and nimbleness without any look of clumsiness or soft living. The ideal dog is stamped with a look of quality and nobility--difficult to define, but unmistakable when present. Secondary sex characteristics are strongly marked, and every animal gives a definite impression of masculinity or femininity, according to its sex.
Temperament:
The breed has a distinct personality marked by direct and fearless, but not hostile, expression, self-confidence and a certain aloofness that does not lend itself to immediate and indiscriminate friendships. The dog must be approachable, quietly standing its ground and showing confidence and willingness to meet overtures without itself making them. It is poised, but when the occasion demands, eager and alert; both fit and willing to serve in its capacity as companion, watchdog, blind leader, herding dog, or guardian, whichever the circumstances may demand. The dog must not be timid, shrinking behind its master or handler; it should not be nervous, looking about or upward with anxious expression or showing nervous reactions, such as tucking of tail, to strange sounds or sights. Lack of confidence under any surroundings is not typical of good character.
Size and Proportions:
The desired height for males at the top of the highest point of the shoulder blade is 24 to 26 inches.
For females, 22 to 24 inches is the desired height. |
Head:The head is noble, cleanly chiseled, strong without coarseness, but above all not fine, and in proportion to the body. The head of the male is distinctly masculine, and that of the bitch distinctly feminine.
The expression keen, intelligent and composed. Eyes of medium size, almond shaped, set a little obliquely and not protruding. The color is as dark as possible. Nose black. Ears are moderately pointed, in proportion to the skull, open toward the front, and carried erect when at attention, the ideal carriage being one in which the center lines of the ears, viewed from the front, are parallel to each other and perpendicular to the ground. |
Neck and Body:The neck is strong and muscular, clean-cut and relatively long, proportionate in size to the head and without loose folds of skin.
The back is straight, very strongly developed without sag or roach, and relatively short. Chest--Commencing at the pro-sternum it is well filled and carried well down between the legs. It is deep and capacious, never shallow, with ample room for lungs and heart, carried well forward, with the pro-sternum showing ahead of the shoulder in profile. Tail bushy, with the last vertebra extended at least to the hock joint. It is set smoothly into the croup and low rather than high. |
Forequarters and Hindquarters:The shoulder blades are long and obliquely angled, laid on flat and not placed forward. The upper arm joins the shoulder blade at about a right angle.
The feet are short, compact with toes well arched, pads thick and firm, nails short and dark. The whole assembly of the thigh, viewed from the side, is broad, with both upper and lower thigh well muscled, forming as nearly as possible a right angle. |
Coat and Colors:
The ideal dog has a double coat of medium length. The outer coat should be as dense as possible, hair straight, harsh and lying close to the body. A slightly wavy outer coat, often of wiry texture, is permissible. The head, including the inner ear and foreface, and the legs and paws are covered with short hair, and the neck with longer and thicker hair. The rear of the forelegs and hind legs has somewhat longer hair extending to the pastern and hock, respectively. Faults in coat include soft, silky, too long outer coat, woolly, curly, and open coat.
COMMON COLORS:
Solid Black
Tan and Black Red and Black Sable [Red, Tan or Silver] |
UNCOMMON COLORS:
Gold
Solid Brown "Liver" Tan and Liver |
RARE COLORS:
White
Panda [Extremely rare, only a few exist] |
To read more about colors, please visit our color chart: HERE
Showing Disqualifications:
*Cropped or hanging ears.
*Dogs with noses not predominantly black.
*Undershot jaw.
*Docked tail.
*White dogs.
*Any dog that attempts to bite the judge.*
*Dogs with noses not predominantly black.
*Undershot jaw.
*Docked tail.
*White dogs.
*Any dog that attempts to bite the judge.*