Germany: Titles & Rankings Explained
Your German Shepherd Dog may be a direct import from Germany, or he may have a German heritage. These dogs have a wider range of titles and rankings because Germany classifies their dogs differently than American bred GSD’s. When researching your dog’s lineage, you may see these titles and rankings and wonder, what does all this mean? I have made it easy for you to understand these abbreviations so that you can understand your dog’s history, line of breeding and in general, their stock. Here they are:
German Shepherd Dog Titles:
Your German Shepherd Dog may be a direct import from Germany, or he may have a German heritage. These dogs have a wider range of titles and rankings because Germany classifies their dogs differently than American bred GSD’s. When researching your dog’s lineage, you may see these titles and rankings and wonder, what does all this mean? I have made it easy for you to understand these abbreviations so that you can understand your dog’s history, line of breeding and in general, their stock. Here they are:
German Shepherd Dog Titles:
- AD: Endurance Test, approximately a 12 mile run with an Obedience Test at the end.
- BH: Companion Dog, Temperament and Obedience Examination, Must preceed SCH title.
- Sch: Includes 3 levels; Sch1, Sch2, Sch3, of disciplines in Obedience, Protection and Tracking.
- IPO: Includes 3 levels; IPO1, IPO2, IPO3 comparable to Sch titles using International rules.
- HGH: Herding Dog Title
- PH: Police Dog
- FH: Advanced Tracking Title
- BIH: Guide Dog for the Blind
- ZH: Customs Dog
- DH: Service Dog
- U: Insufficient
- M: Faulty Show or Performance Rating
- A: Sufficient Show or Performance Rating
- G: Good Show or Performance Rating
- SG: Very Good Show or Performance Rating
- V: Excellent Show or Performance Rating
- VA: Excellent Select Show or Performance Rating, Awarded at SEIGER Show, Highest Attainable Award.
- Seiger: 1st Place Champion Male of National Show
- Seigerin: 1st Place Champion Female of National Show
- Koerklasse: (KKL1) Breed Examination, Recommended for Breeding, Must be Titled Sch; (KKL2) Breed Examination, Suitable for Breeding, Must be Titled Sch
- Hip Ratings: (A1) Normal= OFA Excellent to OFA Good; (A2) Nearly Normal= OFA Good to OFA Fair; (A3) Mild Hip Displaysia= Only OFA’s Occasionally
- BSZS: National Breed Show
- BSP: National Working Trial
- LGA: Regional Show or Working Trial
- BLH: National Herding Trial