National Hip and Elbow Scheme.

This is a scheme, set up by the German Shepherd Dog Council of Aus. Inc., where dogs and bitches are X-Rayed by a Veterinary Surgeon to assess their hips & elbows. They must have an ear tattoo for identification to ensure it is the correct animal being X-Rayed and their registered Kennel Name and Tattoo Number put on the x-ray plates. These are then sent to an expert reader, either in Melbourne or Perth, for reading of the plates and assessment. To past this scheme, the dog or bitch must display excellent hips and elbows, with no major changes or arthritis. ONLY then will the dog or bitch be given a pass and be approved to go on to Breed Survey and breeding.

 The Hips are scored  and measured on 9 different areas on each hip,  and must score no more than 3 in any one area to pass.  They are then given an "A" Stamp
The elbows are  measured in mm and scored accordingly, they must have no sign of arthritis and not over a 2mm gap,  to pass the scheme.  There must also be no sign of UAP (Ununited Anconeal Process)   UAP : Not Present.    They are then given a "Z" Stamp.

THE LOWER THE SCORE, THE BETTER THE HIPS AND ELBOWS.

ABOVE IS A PHOTO OF A HIP AND ELBOW CERTIFICATE,     IF A DOG HAS PASSED THE HIP AND ELBOW SCHEME IN AUSTRALIA SUCCESSFULLY,  THEY MUST POSSESS A CERTIFICATE LIKE THE ONE  SHOWN  ABOVE! 

  Breed Survey Scheme.

The Breed Survey scheme, set up by the G.S.D.C of Australia Inc., is a testing system conducted for German Shepherd dogs and bitches who have achieved a pass for hips and elbows, and are aged 18 months or over.  The dogs are assessed in movement as a group by a panel of Surveyors, they are required to go through a crowd of unknown people, and display no sign of fear or aggression, then stand for a gun test, where a gun is fired several times, and they must stand confidently and show no sign of anxiety or fear. The purpose of the gun test is to show steadiness of nerves which is desirable for a true all round German Shepherd. A dog may be slightly uneasy, and would still be breed worthy but would be deemed unable to work in special fields such as police work or search and rescue.

After this they have Ear Tattoo verified, teeth checked for correct number and spacing, are measured for correct size (not too small, not too large), weighed and have this noted. They are then individually assessed for conformation, soundness and movement, and given a classification of Class I or Class II, if they are found suitable for BREEDING.

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