Voitalhaus German Shepherds have some of the best imported German Bloodlines. In the pedigrees of these exceptional dogs you will see many abbreviations of titles they have been awarded. These titles demonstrate the ability of these dogs to compete both physically and mentally to the most exacting standards which in turn will ensure you will own a wonderful example of the German Shepherd Breed. Below are some tables to help you understand what these abbreviations mean. As you read them you will realize why the German Shepherd Breed is referred to as the "all around working dog". He or she can fulfill the position of family companion, protector and guard, guide, herder, tracker, bomb and drug detector, rescuer and other positions too numerous to mention. Truly an enviable record.
| SchHA | Novice Schutzhund obedience and protection |
| BH | BH = Begleithund. Dog must have their "B" before further titles can be obtained in schutzhund. The BH is a combination temperament and basic obedience test. It is also sometimes referred to as a traffic-sureness test. |
| WH | Basic protection test. |
| AD | 12.5 mile endurance test whihc does include obedience. |
| SchH1 | Novice Schutzhund qualification in tracking, obedience, and protection |
| SchH2 | Intermediate Schutzhund qualification in tracking, obedience, and protection |
| SchH3 | Masters level of Schutzhund tracking, obedience, and protection |
| FH1 | Advanced tracking |
| FH2 | Superior tracking qualification |
| IPO1 | International Novice Schutzhund trial qualification |
| IPO2 | International Intermediate Schutzhund |
| IPO3 | International Masters Level Schutzhund |
| BpDH1 2 | Railroad Police Dog |
| BIH | Blind Leader Dog |
| DH | Service Dog |
| DPH | Service Police Dog |
| HGH | Herding Dog |
| LwH | Avalanche Dog |
| PFP1 & PFP2 | Police Tracking Dog |
| PH | Police Dog (obtained through the Danish Politihundeforeningen, a police dog association open to civilians) |
| PSP1, 2 3 | Police Guard Dog |
| RtH | Rescue Dog |
| ZFH | Customs Tracking Dog |
| ZH1, 2 3 | Customs Dog |
| Africa | IWT 1, 2, 3 |
| Austria | SchH1, 2 3 and FHA 1, 2, 3 |
| Belgium | Cereco1, IWR1, 2 3 equivalent to IPO1, 2 3 |
| Czech Republic | ZVV1, 2 3 equivalent to SchH1, 2 3 |
| Denmark | BHP1, 2 3 equivalent to SchH1, 2 3 and SPH equivalent to FH |
| England | PD (Police Dog) |
| Finland | SK1 equivalent to IPO1 |
| Holland | VH1, 2 3 equivalent to SchH1, 2 3 and SPH equivalent to FH |
| Hungary | SZL1, 2 3 also ZVV1, 2 3 equivalent to SchH1, 2 3 |
| Italy | Brevetto 1, 2 3 equivalent to SchH1, 2 3 |
| Poland | ZVV1, 2 3 equivalent to SchH1, 2 3 |
| Switzerland | SchH, SchHB, SchHC; CHD1 equivalent to SchH1 |
| Yugoslavia | CAB1, 2 3 equivalent to SchH1, 2 3 |
| VA | Vorzuglich-Auslese-excellent select(only awarded at the National Specialty GSD show in the country the VA is awarded in |
| V | Vorzuglich-excellent |
| SG | Sehr Gut-very good- the SG rating is the highest offered in young dog competitions, 12-18 month and 18-24 month age groups |
| A | Ausreichend-sufficient |
| U | Ungenugend-Insufficient |
| M | Mangelhaft-faulty |
| KKL1 | Breed Survey Class 1-the best breed survey classification given |
| KKL2 | Breed Survey Class 2 |
| Lbz | Lebenszeit-Breed surveyed for lifetime |
| Korung 19 | zuruckgestellt(M)-did not pass breed survey in protection work zuruckgestellt(K)-did not pass breed survey due to structural fault A dog that did not pass the breed survey will have to wait one year before being presented again. If he fails the second time, he can never breed surveyed. |
| A + | Dog has been breed surveyed |
| Sieger/Siegerin | Best male/female at the national conformation speciality show |
| VA | The Sieger or Siegerin is VA-1 followed by VA-2, etc. In the judges opinion these are very close in quality to the Sieger or Siegerin. The national show is judged by the SV President, he determines how many VA ratings he wishes to make. There have been times in history when the Sieger/Siegerin titles were discontinued and only VAs awarded, to discourage excessive breeding to the dog who was named Sieger. |
| German Ratings from Puppy Classes | |
| VP | Very Promising |
| P | Promising |
| LP | Less Promising |
| German Hip Certifications | |
| “a” normal | certified normal hips, required for a dog to pass a breed survey |
| “a” fast normal | certified near normal hips |
| “a” noch zugelassen | still permissible |
| WS | Weltsieger-World Sieger at the FCI all-breed show- |
| FCI | Federation Cynologique Internationale; an all breed worldwide dog organization,made up of various countries’ whom are members of and whose registries are recognized. The "IPO" is a FCI program. |
| Hutesieger | Herding Dog Champion at the German National Herding competition |
| Bundesleistungssieger | The winner of the annual SV National SchH3 working competition, where dogs are competing for perfect scores in SchH3 and the coveted title. Working scores also are evaluated similarly to the conformation titles, V is the highest and the dogs are placed on down in order of the scores they receive. |
| Bundeszuchtsieger | Another term for the Sieger at the SV German National conformation show |
| Landesgruppensieger | Rarely seen in contemporary pedigrees, this title reflects the first place winner at a regional show in Germany. |
| Junghundsieger/ Jugendsieger |
Another rating rarely used nowadays, reflecting the first place winner in the 18-24 month young dog class at the Sieger Show. |
| Landesgruppenjunghund / Landesgruppenjugend Sieger | First place winner at the regional 18-24 month young dog class. Comparable to the regional futurity/maturity conformation winners at the GSDCA specialty regional futurity/maturity shows. |
| Europameister | European SchH3 Champion-highest scoring SchH3 dog in annual multi-country SchH3 competition. |
| Stadtmeister | Rarely used on pedigrees means winner at the city SchH3 competition trial. |
| Landessieger | Winner of the German annual Regional SchH3 competition. Dogs must compete and meet certain requirements at the regional level to be eligible to compete in the Bundesleistungssieger Prufung. |
| VPG 1, 2, 3 | Vielseitigkeitsprüfung für Gebrauchshunde; Versatility Test for the Working Dogs. Similar to the SChH and IPO 1, 2, 3. |
| VDH | Verband für das Deutsche Hundewesen - the German Kennel Club |
| SV | Verein für Deutsche Schäferhunde; the German GSD Club. |
| WUSV | World Union of German Shepherd Clubs |