- German Titles and Commands -
Sieger: The Sieger is the male winner of the German National Championship Conformation show and the best Champion for the entire year. The Sieger typically beats hundreds of other Champions (V rated) to attain this coveted title. The Sieger show (BSZS) is held every year in Germany at the beginning of September. The Siegerin is the Female winner in this Championship. The Sieger's and Siegerin's title is VA1 in front of their name. This title can also be obtained in other countries and the dog will show the VA1 title followed by the country's abbreviation in parenthesis.
Universal Sieger: This is the winner of the annual conformation competition in USA AND the highest working (SchH) scores. The dog must compete in a National level Conformation show and a National level Schutzhund competition all on the same weekend. The dog that is the best in the combined event is the Universal Sieger. The 2nd place dog is the Vice-Universal Sieger.
VA: Select Champion: Awarded to the top few Champion dogs at the German Sieger show each year. VA1 is the Sieger, VA2 is the Vice-Sieger.
V: (Vorzuglich): "Excellent". This is the Championship title for excellence of quality in conformation. Dogs must be at least 2 years old, must have passed their hips x-ray rating (hip dysplasia clear), a Temperament/Obedience Test (BH), a working Schutzhund title (tests the dog in Tracking, Obedience, and Protection) or Herding title, and must have passed a 12 mile Endurance test (AD).
SG ( Sehr Gut): "Very Good". This is a young dog title showing it has Very Good structure. It is the highest rating a dog can get in the Show until it has met all the requirements listed above for a Championship.
G (Gut): "Good". This dog is rated as having Good structure. This is the lowest rating still allowed to be used for breeding in Germany.
VP: Very Promising: The highest rating available to dogs under 1 year of age when shown.
SchH and IPO (1, 2 & 3): Schutzhund is a test of the dog's skills in Tracking, Advanced Obedience (includes working under gunfire) and Protection. A Schutzhund dog must work off leash in a crowd of people with out endangering any one. SchH1 is the minimum title for breeding. SchH3 and IPO3 are the highest titles.
KK1 and KK2 (Koerklasse): "Breed Survey". Necessary title before dog is allowed breeding in Germany. An official of the German Shepherd Club of Germany (Schaeferhund Verin - SV) called a Koermeister further tests and evaluates the dog's temperament and structure. Every part of the dog is described in a report called a Koerreport. Dogs that are considered to be prime quality breeding prospects will be graded KK1, dogs considered acceptable for breeding, but with some warnings of what to watch out for, such as being 1 inch oversized, etc. will be graded KK2. Dogs considered "not suitable for breeding" will not earn a KK rating, and they can not be bred in Germany. This breed survey is good only for one year and it must be repeated once more to achieve KKL1 or KKL2 status, meaning "Breed Survey for life".
"a" Stamp: The "a" means the dog has passed it's hip and/or elbow certification for Hip and/or Elbow Dysplasia in Germany.
In USA the OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals) evaluates and certifies dogs' hips x-rays. All levels of certification (Excellent, Good, Fair) are free of hip dysplasia and are suitable for breeding, although Excellent and Good are preferred.
Check here for Commands
in several languages with audio files for correct pronunciation.