ETHICAL BEHAVIOUR OF KUSA MEMBERS AS BREEDERS
Members of the KUSA who breed dogs shall:
- Pursue the fundamental goal of dog-breeding, i.e. strive to breed functionally and clinically healthy dogs with a construction that conforms to the Breed Standard adopted by KUSA for the breed in question, free of exaggeration, and with a temperament typical for the specific breed, which will have the expectancy of a long and happy life for the benefit and pleasure of their owners and the dogs themselves;
- Only breed with a view to promote the health and wellbeing of the progeny and the bitch and base their selections for breeding on knowledge, research, honesty and international cooperation;
- Take all reasonable steps to reduce the incidence of hereditary diseases, including researching the bloodlines for the occurrence rate of hereditary diseases and commissioning the available health tests for the hereditary diseases for which the breed shows a predisposition;
- Cooperate with scientists, veterinarians and other breeders on genetic health issues and make every effort in the selection of breeding lines to prevent the result of unhealthy offspring; and
- Take all possible steps to ensure that dogs bred by them do not suffer from any disorder that impedes the dogs’ sight, breathing or ability to move freely, or which might otherwise be detrimental to the dogs’ comfort and wellbeing.
BREEDING REQUIREMENTS FOR GERMAN SHEPHERD DOGS
The following requirements need to be met before a German Shepherd Dog may be bred and a litter registered with the Kennel Union of South Africa
Dogs must:
- Be functionally and clinically healthy with breed typical conformation;
- Be positively identified by a microchip;
- At the time of mating, the sire is eighteen (18) months of age or older;
- At the time of mating, the dam is twenty-two (22) months of age or older;
- Have an HD Evaluation with a rating of C2:C2 (left hip : right hip) or better (refer to health requirements);
- Have an ED Evaluation with a rating of 2:2 (left elbow : right elbow) or better (refer to health requirements):
- Be DNA profiled, and where possible proven;
- Have a Breed Show Grading of G (Good) or better.
SHOW GRADINGS
Dogs may only obtain a Show Grading at a Specialist German Shepherd Dog Breed Show. Only specialist judges meeting the following requirements may judge a show held under this schedule:
- Any German Shepherd Dog specialist judge qualified under the auspices of the GSDLC of KUSA and in good standing with KUSA and the GSDLC; and
- Any Specialist German Shepherd Dog Judge recognized by FCI affiliated Countries.
All Dogs entered over 12 months of age shall be subjected to a Gun Sureness test. The gun should be 6mm caliber or similar.
POSSIBLE GRADINGS AND CRITERIA FOR AWARDING THE GRADINGS
| GRADING | CRITERIA |
| Excellent | • Animal must be exhibited on Open Class. • Faultless, gapless, healthy dentition. • May have slightly level bite, but without wear. • Double P1’s allowed. • Prove of HD: C2 or Better, ED: 2 or better. • Firm outgoing character with gun sureness. • Acceptable size limits, Dogs max 67 cm & Bitches max 62 cm. |
| Very Good | • Not quite correct scissor bite. • Missing one only Premolar 1 or Molar 4 or Incisor. • Firm outgoing character with gun sureness. • Slightly worn teeth, Not due to age. |
| Good | • Missing two only Premolar 1’s or one only premolar 2. • Missing one only Premolar1 plus one only incisor. • Missing one only Premolar 3. • Missing two only incisor or two only Premolar 2’s. • Missing one only Premolar 2’s plus one only Incisor. • Firm outgoing character with gun sureness. |
| Ungraded | • Missing one only Premolar 3 plus one further tooth. • Missing one only Canine or one only Premolar 4. • Bite is level or Undershot or Overshot. • Character that is not firm and outgoing, gun-shy. |
GRADINGS AWARDED BY CLASS
| CLASS | AGE GROUP | POSSIBLE GRADINGS |
| Baby Puppy | 4-6 Months | Very Promising, Promising, Ungraded |
| Minor Puppy | 6-9 Months | Very Promising, Promising, Ungraded |
| Puppy | 9-12 Months | Very Promising, Promising, Ungraded |
| Junior | 12-18 Months | Very Good, Good, Ungraded |
| Graduate | 18-24 Months | Very Good, Good, Ungraded |
| Open | Over 24 Months | Excellent, Very Good, Good, Ungraded |
| All Other Classes | No Gradings Given |