"Dedicated to Breed Improvement"

German Shepherd Dog Standard

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 should both be and appear to be well balanced, with harmonious 
development of the forequarter and hindquarter. The dog should appear to the eye, and actually 
be, longer than tall, deep bodied, and present an outline of smooth curves rather than corners. 
It should look 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 Shepherd 
should be stamped with a look of quality and nobility, difficult to define but unmistakable when 
present. The good German Shepherd Dog never looks common. Secondary sex characteristics 
should be strongly marked, and every animal should give a definite impression of masculinity or 
femininity, according to its sex. Dogs should be definitely masculine in appearance and deportment; 
bitches, unmistakably feminine, without weakness of structure or apparent softness of temperament. 
The condition of the dog should be that of an athlete in good condition, the muscles and flesh firm 
and the coat lustrous. 

Temperament 

The breed has a distinct personality marked by a direct and fearless, but not hostile, expression, and 
self-confidence and a certain aloofness, which does not lend itself to immediate and indiscriminate 
friendships. The Shepherd Dog is not one that fawns upon every new acquaintance. At the same time, 
it should be approachable, quietly standing its ground and showing confidence and a willingness to meet 
overtures without itself making them. It should be poised, but when the occasion demands, eager and 
alert, both fit and willing to serve in any capacity as companion, watch dog, blind leader, herding dog or 
guardian; whichever the circumstances may demand. The Shepherd Dog must not be timid, shrinking 
behind its master or handler, nervous, looking about or upward with anxious expression or showing nervous 
reactions to strange sounds or sights, or lackadaisical, sluggish, or manifestly disinterested in what goes on 
about him. Lack of confidence under any surroundings is not typical of good character. Cases of extreme 
timidity and nervous unbalance sometimes give the dog an apparent, but totally unreal, courage and it 
becomes a "fear biter," snapping not for any justifiable reason but because it is apprehensive of the 
approach of a stranger. This is a serious fault subject to heavy penalty. 

Size 

The ideal height for dogs is 25 inches (64 cm), and for bitches, 23 inches (58 cm) at the shoulder. This 
height is established by taking a perpendicular line from the top of the shoulder blade to the ground with 
the coat parted or so pushed down that this measurement will show the only actual height of the frame 
or structure of the dog. The working value of dogs above or below the indicated height is proportionately 
lessened, although variations of an inch (3 cm) above or below the ideal height are acceptable, while greater 
variations must be considered as faults. Weights of dogs of desirable size in proper flesh and condition 
average between 75 and 85 lb. (34 and 39 kg); and of bitches, between 60 and 70 lb. (27 and 32 kg). 

Coat 

The Shepherd is normally a dog with a double coat, the amount of undercoat varying with the season of 
the year and the proportion of the time the dog spends out of doors. It should, however, always be present 
to a sufficient degree to keep out water, to insulate against temperature extremes, and as a protection against 
insects. 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 equally permissible. The head, including the inner ear, foreface, and 
legs and paws are covered with short hair, and the neck with longer and thicker hair. The rear of forelegs and 
hind legs has somewhat longer hair extending to the pastern and hock respectively. Faults in coat include complete 
lack of any undercoat, soft, silky or too long outer coat and curly or open coat. 

Colour 

The German Shepherd Dog differs widely in colour. Generally speaking, strong, rich colours are to be preferred, 
with definite pigmentation, and without appearance of a washed-out colour. White dogs are to be disqualified. 

Head 

Clean-cut and strong, the head of the Shepherd is characterized by nobility. It should seem in proportion to the body 
and should not be clumsy, although a degree of coarseness of head, especially in dogs, is less of a fault than 
over-refinement A round or domey skull is a fault. The muzzle is long and strong with the lips firmly fitted, and its 
topline is usually parallel with an imaginary elongation of the line of the forehead. Seen from the front the forehead 
is only moderately arched and the skull slopes into the long wedge-shaped muzzle without abrupt stop. Jaws are 
trongly developed. Weak and too narrow underjaws, snipey muzzles, and no stop are faults Teeth: The strong teeth, 
42 in number (20 upper and 22 lower) are strongly developed and meet in a scissors grip in which part of the inner 
surface of the upper teeth meets and engages part of the outer surface of the lower teeth. This type of bite gives a 
more powerful grip than one in which the edges of the teeth meet directly, and is subject to less wear. The dog is overshot 
when the lower teeth fail to engage the inner surfaces of the upper teeth. This is a serious fault. The reverse condition - 
an undershot jaw - is a very serious fault. While missing premolars are frequently observed, complete dentition is decidedly 
to be preferred. So-called distemper teeth and discoloured teeth are faults whose seriousness varies with the degree of 
departure from the desired white, sound colouring. Teeth broken by accident should not be severely penalized but worn 
teeth, especially the incisors, are often indicative of the lack of a proper scissors bite, although some allowance should 
be made for age. Eyes of medium size, almond shaped, set a little obliquely and not protruding. The colour as dark as possible. 
Eyes of lighter colour are sometimes found and are not a serious fault if they harmonize with the general colouration, 
but a dark brown eye is always to be preferred. The expression should be keen, intelligent, and composed. The ears 
should be moderately pointed, open towards the front, and are carried erect when at attention, the ideal carriage being 
one in which the centre lines of the ears, viewed from the front are parallel to each other and perpendicular 
to the ground. Puppies usually do not permanently raise their ears until the fourth or sixth month, and sometimes not 
until later. Cropped and hanging ears are to be discarded. The well-placed and well-carried ear of a size in proportion 
to the skull materially adds to the general appearance of the Shepherd. Neither too large nor too small ears are desirable. 
Too much stress, however, should not be laid on perfection of carriage if the ears are fully erect. 
  
Neck 

The neck is strong and muscular, clean-cut and relatively long, proportionate in size to the head and without loose folds 
of skin. When the dog is at attention or excited, the head is raised and the neck carried high, otherwise typical carriage 
of the head is forward rather than up and but little higher than the top of the shoulder, particularly in motion. 

Body 

The whole structure of the body gives an impression of depth and solidity without bulkiness. Forechest, commencing 
at the prosternum, should be well filled and carried well down between the legs with no sense of hollowness. Chest 
should be deep and capacious with ample room for lungs and heart. Well carried forward, with the prosternum, or 
process of the breastbone, showing ahead of the shoulder when the dog is viewed from the side. Ribs should be well 
sprung and long; neither barrel shaped nor too flat, and carried down to a breastbone which reaches to the elbow. 
Correct ribbing allows the elbow to move back freely when the dog is at a trot while too round a rib causes interference 
and throws the elbow out. Ribbing should be carried well back so that loin and flank are relatively short. Abdomen 
firmly held and not paunchy. The bottom line of the Shepherd is only moderately tucked up in flank, never like that 
of a Greyhound. 

Legs 

The bone of the legs should be straight oval rather than round or flat and free from sponginess. Its development should 
be in proportion to the size of the dog and contribute to the overall impression of substance without grossness. 
Crooked leg bones and any malformation such as, for example, that caused by rickets, should be penalized. Pastern 
should be of medium length, strong and springy. Much more spring of pastern is desirable in the Shepherd Dog than in 
any other breeds, as it contributes to the ease and elasticity of the trotting gait the upright terrier pastern is definitely 
undesirable. Metatarsus (the so-called "hock"): short, clean, sharply defined, and of great strength. This is the fulcrum 
upon which much of the forward movement of the dog depends. Cow-hocks are a decided fault, but before penalizing for 
Cow-hocks, it should be definitely determined, with the animal in motion, that the dog has this fault, since many dogs with 
exceptionally good hindquarter angulation occasionally stand so as to give the appearance of cow-hockedness which is not 
actually present. 
   
Feet 

Rather short, compact, with toes well arched pads thick and hard, nails short and strong. The feet are important to the 
working qualities of the dog. The ideal foot is extremely strong with good gripping power and plenty of depth of pad. The 
so-called cat-foot or terrier foot is not desirable. The thin, spread or hare-foot is, however, still more undesirable. 

Topline 

The withers should be higher than, and sloping into, the level back to enable a proper attachment of the shoulder blades. 
The back should be straight and very strongly developed without sag or roach, the section from the wither to the croup 
being relatively short (The desirable long proportion of the Shepherd Dog is not derived from a long back but from overall 
length with relation to height, which is achieved by breadth of forequarter and hindquarter viewed from the side.) Loin: viewed 
from the top, broad and strong, blending smoothly into the back without undue length between the last rib and the thigh, when 
viewed from the side. Croup should be long and gradually sloping. Too level or flat a croup prevents proper functioning of the 
hindquarter, which must be able to reach well under the body. A steep croup also limits the action of the hindquarter. 

Structure 

A German Shepherd is a trotting dog and his structure has been developed to best meet the requirements of his work in 
herding. That is to say, a long, effortless trot which shall cover the maximum amount of ground with the minimum number 
of steps, consistent with the size of the animal. The proper body proportion, firmness of back and muscles and the proper 
angulation of the forequarters and hindquarters serve this end. They enable the dog to propel itself forward by a long step 
of the hindquarter and to compensate for this stride by a long step of the forequarter. The high withers, the firm back, the 
strong loin, the properly formed croup, even the tail as balance and rudder, all contribute to this same end. 

Proportion 

The German Shepherd Dog is properly longer than tall with the most desirable proportion as 10 is to 8%. We have seen 
how the height is ascertained; the length is established by a dog standing naturally and four-square, measured on a horizontal 
line from the point of the prosternum, or breastbone, to the rear edge of the pelvis, the ischium tuberosity, commonly called
 the sitting bone. 
  
Angulation 

Forequarter: The shoulder blade should be long, laid on flat against the body with its rounded upper end in a vertical line 
above the elbow, and sloping well forward to the point where it joins the upper arm. The withers should be high, with 
shoulder blades meeting closely at the top, and the upper arm set on at an angle approaching as nearly as possible a right angle. 
Such an angulation permits the maximum forward extension of the foreleg without binding or effort. Shoulder faults include too 
steep or straight a position of either blade or upper arm, too short a blade or upper arm, lack of sufficient angle between these two 
members, looseness through lack of firm ligamentation, and loaded shoulder with prominent pads of flesh or muscles on the 
outer side. Construction in which the whole shoulder assembly is pushed too far forward also restricts the stride and is faulty. 
Hindquarters: The angulation of the hindquarter also consists ideally of a series of sharp angles as far as the relation of the bones 
to each other is concerned, and the thigh bone should parallel the shoulder blade while the stifle bone parallels the upper arm. 
The whole assembly of the thigh, viewed from the side, should be broad, with both thigh and stifle well muscled and of 
proportionate length, forming as nearly as possible a right angle.The metatarsus (the unit between the hock joint and the 
foot commonly and erroneously, called the hock) is strong, clean and short, the hock joint clean-cut and sharply defined. 

Tail 

Bushy, with the last vertebra extended at least to the hock joint and usually below. Set smoothly into the croup and low 
rather than high, at rest the tail hangs in a slight curve like a sabre. A slight hook sometimes carried to one side - is faulty 
only to the extent that it mars general appearance. When the dog is excited or in motion, the curve is accentuated and 
the tail raised, but it should never be lifted beyond a line at right angles with the line of the back. Docked tails, or those, 
which have been operated upon to prevent curling, disqualify. Tails too short, or with clumpy end due to the ankylosis 
or the growing together of the vertebrae, are serious faults. 

Gait 

General Impression: The gait of the German Shepherd Dog is outreaching, elastic, seemingly without effort, smooth 
and rhythmic. At a walk it covers a great deal of ground, with long step of both hind leg and foreleg. At a trot, the dog 
covers still more ground and moves powerfully but easily with a beautiful co-ordination of back and limbs so that, in 
the best examples, the gait appears to be the steady motion of a well-lubricated machine. The feet travel close to the 
ground, and neither fore nor hind feet should lift high on either forward reach or backward push. 

The hindquarter delivers, through the back, a powerful forward thrust, which slightly lifts the whole animal and drives 
the body forward.Reaching far under, and passing the imprint left by the front foot, the strong arched hind foot takes 
hold of the ground; then hock, stifle, and upper thigh come into play and sweep back, the stroke of the hind leg finishing 
with the foot still close to the ground in a smooth follow-through. The overreach of the hindquarter usually necessitates 
one hind foot passing outside and the other hind foot passing inside the track of the forefeet and such action is not 
faulty unless the locomotion is crabwise with the dog's body sideways out of the normal straight line. In order to achieve 
ideal movement of this kind, there must be full muscular co-ordination throughout the structure with the action of muscles 
and ligaments positive, regular and accurate. 

Back Transmission: The typical smooth, flowing gait of the Shepherd Dog cannot be maintained without great strength 
and firmness (which does not mean stiffness) of back. The whole effort of the hindquarter is transmitted to the 
forequarter through the muscular and bony structure of the loin, back, and withers. At full trot, the back must remain 
firm and level without sway, roll, whip or roach. To compensate for the forward motion imparted by the hindquarter, 
the shoulder should open to its full extent - the desirability of good shoulder angulation now becomes apparent -and the 
forelegs should reach out in a stride balancing that of the hindquarter. A steep shoulder will cause the dog either to stumble 
or to raise the forelegs very high in an effort to co-ordinate with the hindquarter, which is impossible when shoulder structure 
is faulty. A serious gait fault results when a dog moves too low in front, presenting an unleveled topline with the wither lower 
than the hips. The Shepherd Dog does not track on widely separated parallel lines as does the terrier, but brings the feet inward 
toward the middle line of the body when at trot in order to maintain balance. For this reason a dog viewed from the front or rear 
when in motion will often seem to travel close. This is not a fault if the feet do not strike or cross, or if the knees or shoulders 
are not thrown out, but the feet and hocks should be parallel even if close together. The excellence of gait must also be 
evaluated by viewing from the side the effortless, properly coordinated covering of ground. 
  
Summary 

It should never be forgotten that the ideal Shepherd is a working animal, which must have an incorruptible character, 
combined with body and gait suitable for the arduous work which constitutes its primary purpose. All its qualities should be 
weighed in respect to their contribution to such work, and while no compromise should be permitted with regard to its 
working potentiality, the dog must nevertheless possess a high degree of beauty and nobility. 

Evaluation of Faults
 
Note: Faults are important in the order of their group, as per group headings, irrespective of their position in each group. 
Very Serious Faults 
Major faults of temperament; undershot lower jaw. 
Serious Faults 
Faults of balance and proportion; poor gait, viewed either from front, rear or side; marked deficiency of substance (bone or body); 
bitchy male dogs; faulty backs; too level or too short croup; long and weak loin; very bad feet; ring tails; tails much too short; 
rickety condition; more than four missing premolars or any other missing teeth, unless due to accident; lack of nobility; badly 
washed-out colour; badly overshot bite. 
Faults 
Doggy bitches; poorly carried ears; too fine in head; weak muzzles; improper muscular condition; faulty coat, other than 
temporary condition; badly affected teeth. 
Minor Faults 
Too coarse head; hooked tails; too light, round or protruding eyes; discoloured teeth; condition of coat, due to season or keeping. 

Disqualifications 

Albino characteristics; cropped ears; hanging ears (as in a hound); docked tails; male dogs having one or both testacles 
undescended (monorchids or cryptorchids); white dogs. 

February 1996 (Revision #4 -January 1998)