German Shepherd Dog
The first breed club was formed in 1881 after Max von Stephanitz and his followers developed and promoted the breed
as a herding dog, and later as a working dog used by the police and the armed forces. From the First World War the
bravery and temperament of the German Shepherd has gained the breed worldwide recognition and praise and he has
shown his worth in other disciplines too:- as a guide dog for the blind, as a tracking dog, and in obedience.
The evolution of the breed and its changed appearance in the last fifty years has provoked fierce debate: the German
Shepherd has a marked division of breed “type”.
In recent years the long haired variety, once frowned upon in its native country has been officially recognised in the
Breed Standard.
Breed Group
Pastoral
Vulnerable Breed
No
Size
Large
How much exercise?
More than 2 hours per day
Length of coat
Short
How much grooming?
More than once a week
Supposedly sheds?
Yes
Town or Country
Either
Type of home
Large House
Minimum garden size
Large
Lifespan
Over 10 Years
Health Information
You may be aware that some breeds of dog and their crosses can be susceptible to inherited disease. Of course you want
to be sure that the dog you choose is as healthy as possible, and you would like to know that it has not inherited any
undesirable disease-causing genes from its parents. There is some help in that DNA tests for diseases in purebred dogs are
available for some conditions in some breeds, but there are not very many such tests just yet! There are also, however, a
number of clinical veterinary screening schemes that dog breeders can use to increase the probability of producing
healthy puppies.
Details of the various screening schemes, both veterinary and DNA, that are available to breeders in the UK can be found
at www.thekennelclub.org.uk/doghealth
Potential dog owners should be aware that, at present, the application of various health screening results to breeding
programmes is not always straightforward, and breeders may make choices for various reasons. A responsible breeder
though, will always be willing to discuss relevant health issues with you. Breed clubs are often useful sources of breedspecific information.
What Screening is relevant for the German Shepherd Dog?
Kennel Club Assured Breeders must use the following screening schemes for sires and dams BVA/KC
• BVA/KC Hip Dysplasia Scheme
Kennel Club Assured Breeders are strongly recommended to use the following screening schemes and/or advice for sires
and dams
•
•
•
•
•
•
BVA/KC Elbow Dysplasia Scheme
BVA/KC/ISDS Eye Scheme
Breed Club - Haemophilia testing for males
Bitches under two years not to produce a litter
No stud dog to be used under 18 months of age
DNA test - DM
The list above is not necessarily comprehensive. Breed clubs and experienced breeders are useful sources of information
on health issues in the breed. All breeds have a Breed Health Coordinator.
German Shepherd Dog Clubs
Name
Telephone
Aberdeen & District German Shepherd Dog Training
Club
07813 551971
Aylesbury German Shepherd Dog Training Club
01296 681245
Bath Dog Training Club
07760 447495
Birmingham & District German Shepherd Dog
Association
01922 457 615
Bolton & District German Shepherd Dog Club
0161 368 4928
British Association For German Shepherd Dogs
01283 813752
British German Shepherd Dog Training Club
01744 810100
Name
Telephone
Clyde Valley German Shepherd Dog Club
07920 111035
Crewe & North Staffs German Shepherd Dog Club
01782 388 402
Derbyshire German Shepherd Dog Club
01226 204273
Dundee Alsatian & Training Club
01383 502 626
Fife German Shepherd Dog Club
01307 466373
German Shepherd Dog (Alsatian) Club Of The United
Kingdom
01302 338441
German Shepherd Dog Club Of Devon
01626 833260
German Shepherd Dog Club Of Essex
01708 342194
German Shepherd Dog Club Of Kent
01843 846572
German Shepherd Dog Club Of Northern Ireland
02891 872712
German Shepherd Dog Club Of Scotland
01236 873543
German Shepherd Dog Club Of Suffolk
01473 719 514
German Shepherd Dog Club Of Wales
02920 219253
German Shepherd Dog League Of Great Britain (Limited)
01630 638 540
Grampian German Shepherd Dog Association
Heads Of The Valleys German Shepherd Dog Club
01443 412 975
Iceni Dog Training Club
01473 311 041
Jersey Dog Training Association
01534 862 643
Leicestershire German Shepherd Dog Club
01162 223970
Midland Counties German Shepherd Dog Association
07885 045080
North Eastern German Shepherd Dog Club
07920 499788
North Wales GSD Club
01248 410594
North Yorkshire & South Durham GSD Club
01740 622107
Preston & Fylde German Shepherd Dog Club
01942 867010
Sheffield German Shepherd Dog Society
01777 703417
South Of Scotland GSD & All Breeds Training Club
07876 210243
South Western German Shepherd Dog Club
07905 306 877
South Yorkshire Alsatian Association
0302 721015
Southern Alsatian Training Society
01795 890415
Southern GSD Training Club
07940 204779
Tyne Valley German Shepherd Dog Club
01207 543439
West Yorkshire German Shepherd Dog Club
01924 443838
Wigan Alsatian & All Breeds Training Club
01942 226606
German Shepherd Dog Rescue Organisations
Name
Telephone
ARAS Dog Rescue
01234 743797
Garbo's GSD Rescue
020 8546 4943
Name
Telephone
Garbo's GSD Rescue
0208 641 7861
Garbo's GSD Rescue
01903 410302
German Shepherd Dog Rescue
01568 797957
German Shepherd Dog Welfare Fund
07714 245446
German Shepherd Dog Welfare Fund
01375 405589
German Shepherd Dog Welfare Fund
07724 150525
German Shepherd Dog Welfare Fund
07908 879223
German Shepherd Dog Welfare Fund
01342 842902
German Shepherd Dog Welfare Fund
01622 717173
German Shepherd Rescue Elite - ADCH
01623 798943
German Shepherd Rescue Elite - ADCH
01484 505084
German Shepherd Rescue Elite - ADCH
01277 840204
German Shepherd Rescue Scotland
07391 531106
German Shepherd Rescue Scotland
07391 531106
GSD 2000 Rescue & Re-home
0117 953 7124
Lancashire German Shepherd Rescue
01772 633860
Vigil German Shepherd Dog Rescue
01444 453302
Vigil German Shepherd Dog Rescue
01403 262758
Vigil German Shepherd Dog Rescue
01483 532765
Vigil German Shepherd Dog Rescue
01737 244030
Vigil German Shepherd Dog Rescue
07517 561004
Vigil German Shepherd Dog Rescue
01932 243686
Vigil German Shepherd Dog Rescue
01403 891550
Assured Breeders
Name
Member since
14/12/2011
Phone
01586 553979
Mrs R M & Mr P J Fear
Banwell, Avon
20/05/2011
07769 745187
Mrs P A Whiting
Newbury, Berkshire
30/09/2007
01635 278647
Ms T Lund
Reading, Berkshire
31/08/2007
01189 759838
Mrs H M Anderson
High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire
28/02/2006
01494 471323
Mrs T J Wright
Ely, Cambridgeshire
30/06/2009
01353 861722
Mesdames C S Dobereiner & P O Gilliver
Wisbech, Cambridgeshire
29/04/2013
01945 430433
Mrs E & Mr K A Johnson
Campbeltown, Argyll
Accolades
Name
Member since
22/06/2015
Phone
07872 328880
Mr A & Mrs A J Edwards
Lymm, Cheshire
30/06/2009
01619 415699
Mrs J E & Dr D A Wellings
Northwich, Cheshire
24/06/2011
07540 803320
Mrs F Ryder
Stockport, Cheshire
08/04/2017
0161 915 8811
Mrs J Holroyd
Newquay, Cornwall
28/10/2016
01637 499315
Mrs K Milliken
Newtownards, County Down
30/11/2007
02897 521238
Miss G V Severn
Belper, Derbyshire
30/11/2009
01773 525443
Mr R Evans
Chesterfield, Derbyshire
09/05/2017
01246 807016
Mrs J P Woods
Beaworthy, Devon
11/07/2014
01409 220342
Miss S Jaggs
Cullompton, Devon
30/04/2009
01884 841907
Mrs R Turner
Ferndown, Dorset
09/05/2011
01202 895136
Mrs I McIntosh
Dumfries, Dumfriesshire
31/01/2010
01387 750833
Messrs S Hawthorne & A Bulloch
Lockerbie, Dumfriesshire
03/04/2013
01576 470656
Ms H G Linnett
Carmarthen, Dyfed
31/01/2009
01267 281628
Ms B Lindquist
Llandeilo, Dyfed
31/03/2010
07960 592513
Mr J & Mrs M B Stephens
Llandovery, Dyfed
28/02/2011
07721 840552
Mrs S & Messrs K & C Bevan
Llanelli, Dyfed
23/04/2012
01269 871384
Mr D C & Mrs S L Bowen
Pencader, Dyfed
31/03/2007
01559 389966
Mr A & Mrs J Yates
Hove, East Sussex
03/10/2012
01273 270192
Mrs S E Worley
Brentwood, Essex
31/12/2010
01277 232846
Mr P J & Mrs S J & Miss J S Binden
Chelmsford, Essex
01/07/2005
01621 829693
Mrs P L Scroggs
Colchester, Essex
31/08/2006
01787 463227
Mrs L Pagan
Wickford, Essex
01/07/2013
01245 320488
Mrs K A George
Hereford, Herefordshire
31/03/2006
01432 880819
Mrs R Asher
Crewe, Cheshire
Accolades
Name
Member since
30/11/2010
Phone
07759 234451
Mrs E A Lowe
Birchington, Kent
30/11/2006
01843 846572
Mrs W J & Mr A J Sharp
Maidstone, Kent
09/02/2017
01622 820812
Mrs S J & Mr P S Freeman
Maidstone, Kent
30/04/2007
01622 746280
Mrs S A Dooley
Sheerness, Kent
31/01/2008
01795 511858
Ms C Day
Westerham, Kent
30/09/2008
07958 560480
Mr K Marshall
Coatbridge, Lanarkshire
05/07/2011
01236 873543
Mrs K A Mathison
Blackburn, Lancashire
15/02/2012
07590 517 878
Mrs C M Tyson
Bolton, Lancashire
26/07/2011
01204 853327
Mr R J D Steele
Bolton, Lancashire
03/05/2016
07714 401797
Mrs A S Guy
Wigan, Lancashire
31/03/2010
01942 749971
Mrs A S & Miss M Guy
Wigan, Lancashire
31/03/2010
07958 046732
Mr J W & Mrs C L Robinson
Coalville, Leicestershire
30/09/2009
01530 832266
Mr N R & Mrs M Chalk
Loughborough, Leicestershire
23/05/2012
01509 266587
Mr N R & Mrs M Chalk & Mr E Vorrias
Loughborough, Leicestershire
22/05/2012
01509 266587
Mrs B A Benjamin
Market Harborough, Leicestershire
31/10/2008
01858 464128
Miss A J Garrick
Horncastle, Lincolnshire
31/05/2009
01507 527886
Mr G P & Mrs J M Mellis
Louth, Lincolnshire
31/07/2010
01507 357199
Miss R L Williams
Market Rasen, Lincolnshire
12/08/2005
01673 857176
Mrs C S Janz
King's Lynn, Norfolk
23/03/2017
07787 828870
Mrs S P & Misses H & B & Mr G Rowlands
York, North Yorkshire
02/11/2013
07814 401231
Mrs J C Stokes-Harrell
Wellingborough, Northamptonshire
01/12/2011
01536 420220
Mrs S L Richardson
Newark, Nottinghamshire
31/10/2006
07817 410486
Mrs K Keats-Johnston
Llanymynech, Powys
27/09/2012
01691 830529
Mr T S Robinson
Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire
Accolades
Name
Member since
23/03/2015
Phone
07464 591258
Mr D P Giles
Shifnal, Shropshire
22/04/2005
01952 461329
Mrs D J Gallimore
Shrewsbury, Shropshire
31/03/2009
01743 792292
Miss F Ward
Chard, Somerset
02/02/2016
01460 62214
Mr L & Mrs D Yates
Yeovil, Somerset
24/02/2016
07528 229357
Mr D G & Mrs B Banyard
Brigg, South Humberside
31/03/2009
01652 618623
Mr A Wade & Miss J Mitchell
Rotherham, South Yorkshire
31/05/2010
07976 876737
Mr D R & Mrs M A Oakes
Sheffield, South Yorkshire
30/06/2008
01142 851384
Mr J K Hockey
Sheffield, South Yorkshire
16/03/2012
01909 560410
Mr C A & Mrs I A Daye
Stoke-On-Trent, Staffordshire
17/06/2013
07517 026362
Ms B Brooks
Stoke-On-Trent, Staffordshire
10/11/2016
01270 872487
Mrs M E Mason
Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk
14/11/2012
01284 728189
Ms S E Kewley
Lowestoft, Suffolk
31/10/2007
07917 320961
Mrs E G Hierons
Farnham, Surrey
19/05/2015
01252 312838
Mrs S Skelton
Gateshead, Tyne and Wear
31/07/2010
0191 477 5137
Mr W & Mrs O Hughes
Houghton Le Spring, Tyne and Wear
08/11/2016
01916 593854
Guide Dogs For The Blind Association
Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
19/03/2004
0845 3727432
The Police And Crime Commissioner For The West Midlands
Coventry, West Midlands
09/06/2011
0121 6268202
Miss S Brookes
Walsall, West Midlands
02/02/2012
01922 473007
Mrs R Wells
Horsham, West Sussex
31/07/2007
01403 864174
Mrs S Thurloway
Horsham, West Sussex
18/04/2013
01293 851315
Mrs C M Spurr
Wakefield, West Yorkshire
26/02/2013
07397881705
Mrs K J Stevens
Warminster, Wiltshire
31/08/2006
01985 217733
Mrs T M & Mr A P Mapp
Droitwich, Worcestershire
07/07/2011
01905 755476
Mr C Ransome & Miss C Walker
Ellesmere, Shropshire
Accolades
Name
Member since
31/03/2008
Phone
01299 270514
Mrs D L Blackwell
Worcester, Worcestershire
31/10/2012
01684 310270
Mr G I Douglas
Clevedon, Avon
31/08/2008
01275 852400
Mrs D A Cullum
Brentwood, Essex
28/01/2005
01277 220933
Ms S M Powell
Ebbw Vale, Gwent
16/09/2016
07870667878
Mr P A & Mrs P Mason
Leicester, Leicestershire
31/07/2007
0116 2772846
Mrs P Appleby
Kettering, Northamptonshire
30/09/2008
01536 790607
Mr M Readman
Morpeth, Northumberland
21/03/2017
0774 8848482
Miss P A Roe
Sheffield, South Yorkshire
31/07/2009
01142 336262
Mrs A Timmins
Burntwood, Staffordshire
04/05/2011
01543 685722
Mrs Y A Pitt
Farnham, Surrey
31/01/2011
01252 714965
Miss V C Childs
Malvern, Worcestershire
17/10/2011
07795 442861
Mrs J Bargman
Kidderminster, Worcestershire
Accolade of Excellence
Studbook Achievement
Breed Club Membership
Accolades
Breeder Experience
Denotes a significant contribution to Bred at least 3 dogs listed in the
Current member of one or more
5 or more litters registered with the
a breed.
breed clubs
Kennel Club
Studbook.