Breed Affairs

Hip and Elbow Schemes

Hip x-rays

After the age of 12 months the dog is x-rayed after a contract has been issued by an Officer of the Club.  The dog must be tattooed in the right ear and this tattoo number is recorded on the x-ray.  The dog is given a light anaesthetic at a veterinarian surgeons premises, and the hips x-rayed in accordance with the accepted procedures for achieving x-rays.  The x-rays are then forwarded to one of two nominated readers and a score issued for each hip.  A pass is achieved by scoring no more than 8 in either hip (for a total score of 16).  A certificate is issued for the pass and is called an "A" stamp with the letter "A" being used behind the dog's name to denote that he has passed the hip scheme.  Sometimes individual hip scores are also shown and would typically appear as A(0:0)  [or relevant score would appear in the brackets].

Elbow x-rays

After the age of 12 months the dog is x-rayed after a contract has been issued by an Officer of the Club (usually the same contract as the hip contract if the hip and elbow x-rays are to be done at the same time).  Again the dog must be tattooed in the right ear for the tattoo number to be recorded on the x-ray.  As for the hip x-rays the dog is given a light anaesthetic and the elbows x-rayed in accordance with the accepted procedures for achieving elbow x-rays.  The x-rays are also then forwarded to one of the two nominated readers and a score issued for each elbow.  A pass is achieved by scoring less than Grade 2.  A certificate is issued for the pass and is called a "Z" stamp with the letter "Z" being used behind the dog's name to denote that he has passed the elbow scheme.  Sometimes individual elbow scores are also shown and would typically appear as Z(0:0)  [or relevant score would appear in the brackets].

When both hip and elbow scores are shown together these would appear as AZ or A(0:0) Z(0:0).

Tattoo Scheme

The Club promotes a Tattoo Scheme in accordance with guidelines set down by the German Shepherd Dog Council of Australia.

A breeder applies for a tattoo symbol from the Tattoo Officer and is allocated a three-digit/three-number symbol to be registered at the time of breeding (and tattooing) a litter.  A Tattoo Officer is contracted to tattoo a litter of puppies at the age of 8 weeks and a tattoo put into the right ear of each pup from the litter with the numbers usually running consecutively.  A tattoo number would appear as follows: eg. XXX000.  A register is then kept by the Club in accordance with the guidelines set down by the German Shepherd Dog Council of Australia and each pup's name and details, complete with tattoo number, will be recorded on the register.  The tattoo number is used for identifying that recorded puppy and is used at the time of x-raying for hips and elbows for positive identification or is used by Councils and other authorities for relocation of lost dogs etc.

If an adult was not tattooed at 8 weeks of age and a tattoo number is required for positive identification (for hip and elbow schemes etc.) a tattoo number can be applied for through the German Shepherd Dog Council of Australia and this tattoo number can be applied to the dog's ear (with the dog under anaesthesia).  This is known as an AUS tattoo symbol.

Haemophilia Scheme

The Club promotes a Haemophilia Scheme in accordance with guidelines set down by the German Shepherd Dog Council of Australia.  This screening is to rule out the possibility of a dog carrying the Haemophilia gene.  Testing only becomes necessary for imported male dogs into Australia.  Once a certificate has been issued this appears as HNeg behind the dog's title.