SiriusDog.com - Zuchtschauordnung (SV Germany) Conformation Show Rules
The club for German Shepherd Dogs (SV)
is the parent club of the breed, acknowledged by the
VDH and the FCI. For the purpose of the conservation
and further development of the breed, the statutes of
the SV (delineated at SV headquarters for SV
member-clubs) generally and in particular for the
handling of the organization, indispensable for the
breed, the SV gives the following “breed show rules”.
These regulations are to have the effect of law (for
members).
I. Definitions and
responsibilities:
1. There are classified:
1.1. Local clubs conformation shows
1.2. Regional organizations
(including groups of clubs) conformation shows
1.3. Specialty shows for the breed,
incorporated as part of VDH (all-breed) events
1.4. Germany’s “Sieger Show”
2. Local Shows: Local SV
clubs (Ortsgruppen) are responsible for organization
and handling of breed shows (see 1.1).
2.1. Local clubs’ conformation shows
need approval for their events from the SV HG (main
office) via the Landesgruppe (regional organization)
officers.
2.2. The allocation and scheduling
of conformation shows for local clubs are to be
accomplished through the respective Landesgruppen.
2.3. The choices of judges for local
(Ortsgruppe) conformation shows is incumbent on the
accomplishing local club, which also must provide
expense reimbursement for the conformation judges.
2.4. The local chapter (Ortsgruppe)
must have proof of insurance coverage for their
organization.
2.5. The Ortsgruppe is responsible
for a organizationally flawless event, as well as for
the observance of all pertinent regulations of the SV.
This includes the providing of two sufficiently large
rings, one for each of the sexes, for the classes
judged in the morning, on to 1:00 p.m., and the later
distribution of prizes.
3. Regional Conformation Shows
3.1. Each SV Landesgruppe must hold a regional
conformation show annually in its geographical domain.
It can partially and/or completely authorize a local
chapter in their region area to handle the
implementation.
3.2. The appointed date of the
annual Landesgruppen conformation show is determined by
the respective Landesgruppe.
3.3. The choice of the officiating
Judges for these regional conformation shows is
incumbent on the respective Landesgruppe.
3.4. The Landesgruppe conformation
show needs approval from the main office.
3.5. For the insurance coverage, the
same rule applies as in 2.4 above.
4. German Shepherd Dog Specialty
Breed Shows Incorporated in VDH All-breed Events:
4.1. Conformation shows sponsored by
local or regional SV clubs can be incorporated as part
of VDH shows as specialty shows, or as independent
events. The determinations under 1.2 and/or 1.3 apply
fully for the breed show rules.
4.2. Parallel to this the
appropriate regulations count the breed show rules the
VDH.
4.3. Judges for the Specialty show
(conformation) must have VDH judging credentials.
5. German Sieger Show
The SV organizes a German Sieger
Show (Hauptzuchtschau, Bundessiegerzuchtschau, etc.)
each year.
5.1. The organizer is the SV
headquarters, which authorizes and cooperates with a
Landesgruppe on the implementation of the show. Parts
of the responsibilities for the implementation can be
transferred to the Landesgruppe in whose region the
show is held.
5.2. The establishments of awards,
dates and times agreed upon comes from the SV
headquarters.
5.3. The designation of the Judges
is incumbent upon the executive committee.
5.4. In addition, other specific or
special decisions are listed in such published
documents as SV’s “Zeitung” magazine, announcement
flyers, etc.
II. Organization of the
conformation shows
1. For the conformation show listed
in I.1 (Ortsgruppe show), a printed show catalog is
required.
1.1. In the show catalog all dogs
that are entered at the demonstration must be listed
with their names, studbook number, whelping date,
evidence of parentage, name/place of residence of the
breeder, and name/place of residence of the owner.
1.2 The show organization may only
accept for the event and print in the show catalog,
dogs that are:
1.2.1. entered in the studbook of the SV (have an SZ
registration number) or are in one from an SV-acknowledged
foreign-club led studbook,
1.2.2 . over 12 months are old,
1.2.3 . free from indication of
diseases,
1.2.4 are not covered by a
progeny-registration ban (they or their parents are
allowed to breed),
1.2.5 are owned by SV members,
1.2.6 are not owned by persons for
whom a final ban on participating in events is in
effect.
2. Division of Classes
The animals displayed at
conformation shows are divided by age classes. At shows
of more than one days’ duration, the first day of the
performance is used in determining a cutoff date (age
eligibility).
2.1. Youth (Jugend) classes are for
dogs from 12 to 18 months.
2.2. Young-dog (Junghund) classes
are for dogs 18 to 24 months.
2.3. Working-dog (Adult) classes are
for dogs that have reached their 2nd-year birthdate.
2.4 Dogs classified in paragraph 2.3
must have proof of a training degree, being at least
SchH1 or HGH (Herdengebrauchshunde). [translator’s
note: I think IP-1 also may be sufficient]
2.5. HGH with age-class divisions
under 2.1 to 2.3: In the conformation competition class
for HGH dogs, only dogs that are in actual, practical
herding service and can prove the HGH training degree
can be entered.
2.6. Breed groups: A Zuchtgruppe
(Breeder’s Group) is composed of at least three and at
most six animals from a Kennel, all of which are shown
in their respective classes at the breed show and have
received the minimum quality evaluation of “Good”. The
Zuchtgruppe is rated and weighed for this by this
judgment criterion: Uniformity, with consideration as
much as possible of the different numbers of parents
and quality of the individual animals. If several breed
groups are shown at the event, placements and rankings
are given.
2.7. For the sake of the breed, a
“Nachkommenschau” (progeny class or show) for dogs of
age 9-12 months, can be held. This is possible [in
Germany] only in connection with a regional or local SV
club’s conformation show. This event is to be in series
with, and on one of the same days as, the regular
conformation show. The judging can only be done by SV
conformation judges.
2.8. Dogs over six years age may be
shown in their own Veterans classes. They usually are
given no critique, but a ranking and placement for each
entry is made.
3. Judgments
In Puppy classes (see 2.7), the
following judgments can be awarded:
• “very promising”: Animals that correspond to the
breed standard fully or display minor, insignificant
limitations in anatomy;
• “promising”: Animals that correspond to the breed
standard, but have clearly recognizable anatomical or
developmental limitations;
• “less promising”: Animals that display defects
concerning their temperament and/or breed-worthiness
qualifications.
The judgments and critiques of puppies are not
presented as an appraisal with the same meaning or
importance as are breed evaluations of adult dogs.
4. Appraisals
4.1 At conformation shows described
in I., 1.1 to 1.3, entered dogs can be awarded the
following evaluations or ratings:
“Excellent”: Animals in the
Open/working class, which at strict application
fully correspond to the breed standard, freely
show themselves to be self-confident, are
indifferent to gunshots, have the “a”-stamp on the
pedigree, and, if over 3.5 years old, are approved
at the breed survey. Double P-1 (first premolar)
is allowed.
“Very Good”: This is the
highest possible rating in the Youth/Junghund
(12-18 mo) and young dog/Jugend (18-24 mo)
classes, describing animals that correspond to the
breed standard fully, in the same way that
Open/working class animals meet the requirements
for “Excellent”, with limitations of minor-degrees
in the area of anatomy. Also anatomically flawless
animals with minor overbites or underbites up to 1
cm. The absence of a single P-1 (first premolar)
or an incisor is allowed.
“Good”: for animals that
correspond to the standard, with clearly
recognizable anatomical limitations. The faults of
missing two P-1s (premolar-1), or one P-1 plus one
incisor, or one P-2, or one P-3, or 2 incisors, or
one P- 2 plus an incisor, or one P-2 plus one P-1,
or two P-2s is allowed.
“Sufficient”: for animals that
on the day of the event are gun-sensitive, or are
not allowed a higher appraisal because of not
enough impartiality, or faults in their over-all
condition (including the state of mind and actual
anatomical condition).
"Insufficient/Unsatisfactory”:
for animals that are gun-shy, which have faults of
diminished character and are defective in the area
of impartiality or breed-disqualifications. Also
for animals with moderate overbite or moderate
underbites of more than 1 cm. The appraisal
“Insufficient” is accompanied by a “progeny
registration ban” (any offpring are not eligible),
which the acting conformation judge has to put in
his report to the SV.
Paragraph 3.2 regulates special cases.
4.2 At the German Sieger Show,
besides the evaluation categories in 4.1, there is the
additional appraisal and award of “Excellent - Select”
(VA), which presupposes evidence of these fürther
criteria:
For the VA Class, only dogs are
eligible that are Körklasse-1 in the breeding
classifications (breed surveyed as “recommended”); dogs
with complete, flawless dentition; and having at least
the training degree SchH2 for the first time in VA.
They must be progeny of Kkl-1 and working-titled
parents. Dogs that would be placed in the VA group for
the second time must possess the training degree SchH3.
4.3 If there are external
(environmental, not genetic) influences that result in
damage, or entire absence, of teeth, such dogs remain
in full contention for the awards, without adverse
consequences on the breed evaluation. The requirement,
however, is that the former presence of sound, strong
teeth and/or a flawless scissors bite and without the
faulty straight line of incisors is shown without doubt
and confirmed on the pedigree. The proof can be given
as follows regarding the Zuchtbuchamt (breed book
office):
1. Complete dentition and the
presence/existence of healthy, strong teeth, a flawless
scissors bite without straight line of incisors, by
notation in the Judging books and scorebook, in which a
Körmeister (breed survey master) has described and
confirmed the bite status after personal examination,
as part of the judgment at a conformation show. This
can be done at the earliest at the age of 12 months.
2. If the Körschein (breed survey
certificate) shows the status of dentition and bite as
being correct at the time of the survey.
3. The submission of a radiograph,
together with a certificate by the SV-qualified vet
(either a certified HD-Veterinarian or one known for
skilled veterinary dentistry). On the radiograph, parts
of the root or at least the tooth socket must be
evident.
For the entry of this into the
Ahnentafel, such evidence must be shown provided to the
SV main office.
III. Other Determinations
1. Owners or exhibitors of dogs
entered, but not shown, are liable for full entry fees.
2. Dogs that are shown for the “standing exam” and are
then taken out of competition in the further course of
the show without explicit authorization by the acting
breed judge, must receive a rating of “Insufficient”
and a showing prohibition of 6 months. With the note
“Insufficient” a temporary ban on progeny registration
also is enjoined, which takes effect at the time of
this appraisal. It is reported by the judge to the SV
main office.
3. A judge’s decision on
conformation shows is final. An objection is not
permitted.
4. The exhibitor is obligated to
make true statements about his dog. Attempted
deceptions lead to the implementation of disciplinary
procedures by a club.
5. The exhibitor is obligated to
show sportsmanlike conduct. Offenses determined by a
club’s disciplinary procedures could lead to a
reprimand and/or to the disqualification of his dog.
Who intentionally makes wrong statements or does not
answer questions demanded of him, also who makes or
tolerates changes in his dog, or takes actions intended
to deceive the judge, will lose any award already given
to the dog at this event and can, according to the
gravity of the case, be excluded from future events or
administered another penalty by the SV.
6. It is not permissible for the
Judge at any conformation shows to judge dogs that are
owned by himself and/or his agents. Extreme reserve
should be exercised regarding dogs that are owned or
cared for by the judge’s near relatives. This includes
persons one lives, breeds, owns dogs, and shares
households with.
7. At the presentation in the
standing exam the dogs are to be presented to the judge
without substantial help such as hand-posing. (The dogs
are to be standing naturally.)
8. It is not permitted to use
acoustic aids in calling the dogs, whether amplified
electrically, through gas, or through compressed air.
Likewise it is forbidden, to alert or call dogs with
the use of pistols, whipping, or schutzhund sleeves.
Offenses can result in a reprimand of the caller, the
disqualification of the dog, and the introduction of
internal (SV) club disciplinary procedures against the
owner and the caller.
Dec. 20, 2001 e-mail (re Vorhanden
at courage test not allowed to compete further in
show):
Dear Mr. Lanting,
Concerning your inquiry, we can inform you that the
special rules for the Sieger Show (Bundessiegerzuchtschau)
are not part of the regular Zuchtschauordnung. Under
section 5.4 it is stated, that additional regulations
are listed under "Ausschreibungsunterlagen" and are
published in the SV-Zeitung and the entry form for the
Siegerschau.
Kind regards
A. Fath,
SV Main Office
*********************************************************************
Effective July 1, 2000.
At conformation shows it is to be
established:
A dog can be entered and handled in the appropriate
classes in conformation shows without restraint in
reference to his courage test evaluations (protection
phase schutzhund scores) with the awarded training
degrees. For possibly further questions I remain at
your disposal.
