The German Shepherd Dog Council of Australia (Inc) was founded 13th March 1960, &, like a number of other single dog breed councils, is directly affiliated with the Australian National Kennel Council (ANKC). It comprises all of the German Shepherd Dog clubs & associations in the states & territories of Australia.

What are the Breed Improvement Schemes ?

The GSDCA has introduced a number of tests for the screening of adult dogs for the improvement of the breed, including several which focus on hereditary diseases. These latter schemes include the Hip & Elbow Dysplasia Control Scheme & the Haemophilia Scheme. Adult Dogs (over 18 months of age), after having successfully passed these Schemes are encouraged to be presented to Breed Survey.

Breed Survey

The Breed Survey Scheme was introduced in Australia in 1975. A very accurate description of the dog’s virtues & faults were recorded & kept for reference. An overall evaluation of the dog’s breed worth & advice as to breeding partners was given with complete impartiality with the aim being to breed dogs in the future as close to the Breed Standard as possible.

In August 1986, the 1000^th dog was surveyed in Victoria. The dog was Kamarn Iccarus, a son of Condor v Arminius, & maternal grandson of Karen Lauerhof. Since that time, many animals have passed through the Breed Survey Scheme, successfully acquiring either Breed Survey Class I or Breed Survey Class II status.

A Breed Survey is unlike "showing" an animal, as dogs are not assessed against one another. Animals who are presented for Survey must be at least 18 months of age. Copies of the original documents for Hip, Elbow, Haemophilia (for males) & a 5-generation pedigree are required by the Surveyors. The ear is checked for the correct tattoo number, the dog is then weighed, measured & the teeth checked for correct dentition. The anatomy is assessed in a subjective manner, based upon the Breed Standard. There is also a gun & crowd test. All information is recorded.

In general, a comprehensive evaluation of the dog is made. Dogs are classified as Breed Survey Class I (Recommended for Breeding), Breed Survey Class II (Suitable for Breeding) or Not Recommended for Breeding.

The results of each Breed Survey are published in a Breed Survey Year Book along with Hip & Elbow results. This book is a "must buy" for breeders because of the valuable information it contains. All would-be breeding stock should be surveyed, so that we can make breeding progress.

Hip Dysplasia

The German Shepherd National Council has consistently introduced schemes, which have been intended to improve the standard of the breeding of German Shepherd Dogs in Australia. The Breed Survey, Tattoo, Elbow X-ray & Haemophilia A Testing Schemes are notable examples.

In January 1982 the Hip Dysplasia Scheme was introduced to the German Shepherd Dog fraternity in Australia. Hip Dysplasia is a serious problem, found in many breeds including German Shepherd Dogs & exists when the hip joint is badly constructed, hence the need to screen animals by X-ray & only breed with animals that have been certified free from any abnormality. Factors such as rate of growth, weight & exercise may affect the severity & age at which this condition is seen. It is a condition that in some instances is quite easily passed by, because the dog shows no outward signs. At other times the dog clearly exhibits signs of quite severe problems. The aged, dysplastic dog can become arthritic which is a painful condition & the principal disadvantage of Hip Dysplasia. The X-ray Scheme allows the National Council to gather the genetic information to assist in lowering the incidence of the problem of Hip Dysplasia in the German Shepherd Dog. It also gives breeders valuable information in selecting good hip-producing stock.

The Scheme involves the X-raying of breeding stock at 12 months of age or older. He/she is anaesthetised & the tattoo is checked & recorded on the X-ray plate along with the registered name & number. The hip is a ball & socket joint, in which the "ball" (Femoral Head) should fit tightly into the "socket" (Acetabulum). The plate is then read by a radiologist, scored & graded. The dogs passing the Hip Scheme are given the "A" stamp. Animals who fail the Hip Scheme should not be bred with. 

We can say the German Shepherd Dog fraternity has successfully accepted the Hip Scheme, as many hundreds of German Shepherd Dogs have passed through it.

Elbow Dysplasia

The Elbow Scheme was introduced in 1993, involving the X-raying of the animals elbows at 12 months of age. The presence of an united anconeal process & arthritic changes  are recorded. The X-ray plates are then submitted to a radiologist to be read & graded. The Gradings are Normal, Grade 1 &  Grade 2. A dog receiving these grades passes the scheme & is given the "Z" Stamp. An animal with un-united anconeal process or more than 5mm of arthritic change is failed. This animal does not receive the "Z" Stamp & should not be bred with.

Haemophilia Scheme

The German Shepherd Dog Council of Australia introduced this scheme in 1987. It involves all male German Shepherd Dogs being tested for Haemophilia before they are bred with. The H.Negative result means they are clear of Haemophilia. The owner or breeder then receives an H.Negative Certificate from the German Shepherd Dog Council of Australia.

Tattoo Scheme

The Tattoo Scheme was introduced into Australia in 1979. Breeders apply for & are given a tattoo symbol, which consists of three letters for their Kennel Prefix. At approximately 7 weeks of age the breeder arranges for the Club Tattooist to tattoo the puppies in their right ear with the letters making up the Kennel prefix to which three numbers are added. Each puppy in a litter  is given his own number & this is recorded by the Tattooist. Copies are given to the breeder, the tattooist & the GSDCA.

This tattoo is then used as positive identification for each individual puppy for life. It is used to identify the animals participating in the other GSDCA Schemes - Hip X-ray, Elbow X-ray, Haemophilia Testing & Breed Survey.

There is a record kept of every German Shepherd Dog that has been tattooed. If an animal has been lost or stolen the tattoo is used to identify the dog  & reunite him with his owner.