The Breed Survey Scheme

The Breed Survey Scheme has been set up to evaluate the soundness and quality of breeding stock throughout Australia.
All the presenting dogs must be over 18 months of age, tattooed, must possess the `A` and `Z` stamp and present a 5-generation pedigree at time of survey.
The dogs are all weighed; measured and examined for correctness of dentition, construction and soundness of nerves, ( this involves a gun test and crowd test ).

Class one animals are considered well above the breed average;
Class Two animals are considered above average which may have minor constructional faults, dentition faults. A breed survey book is produced annually which contains the results of all breed surveys within Australia as well as the dogs which passed the `A` &`Z` stamp
 

The Tattoo Scheme

The Tattoo Scheme is a nation wide scheme where by all the breeders associated with the clubs apply for and receive a unique tattoo symbol for their kennel prefix.

This kennel prefix symbol is recognized Nationally, and consist of 3 letters followed by 3 numbers indicating what number puppy it is bred under that prefix.

The puppies are tattooed at 7-9 weeks of age in the right ear. This tattoo is a positive means of legal identification in the event of loss, theft etc and can be used to find dogs throughout Australia. The tattoo is also used as the positive identification mark for the hip and elbow dysplasia schemes, haemophilia scheme and the breed survey scheme.  The Tattoo Scheme is the precursor to the  positive identification of all German Shepherds using the National Council schemes.

The GSDCA Hip and Elbow Dysplasia schemes

involves the X-Raying of breeding stock over the age of 12 months. It is required that the dog be anaesthetized at the time of x-ray, and the tattoo in the right ear is checked and noted on the x-ray plate.

The plates are sent to Dr Roger Lavelle in Melbourne or Professor Wyburn in Perth and are scored and graded.

`A` stamp scheme - Hips that have a sufficiently low score - a maximum of score 8 per hip ( out of a possible 53 ), with no more than 3 points in any one area, receive an `A` stamp. The results are all correlated so that statistics on the breed average and that of the major producing sires can be analyzed in an effort to lower the breed hip average and to avoid poor hip producing lines.

`Z` stamp scheme - Elbows are measured for any degree of arthritic change, and are Graded as Normal, Grade 1 or Grade 2. Grade 3 and arthritic changes of greater than 4mm will fail the scheme. Breeder avoid doubling up on the condition where ever possible.

Statistics are printed on both the hip and elbow results, encouraging breeders to use the lines that are producing the soundest progeny.

The Haemophilia scheme
has virtually eliminated this bleeding disorder within the breed in Australia. The disease cause a failure of blood to clot after an accident or knock. Imported stud dogs, and sons of imported bitches are tested to prevent any affected new dog or carrier bitch from entering our bloodlines.

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