National Hip and Elbow Scheme.

This is a scheme, set up by the German Shepherd Dog Council of Aus. Inc., where dogs and bitches are X-Rayed by a Veterinary Surgeon to assess their hips & elbows. They must have an ear tattoo for identification to ensure it is the correct animal being X-Rayed and their registered Kennel Name and Tattoo Number put on the x-ray plates. These are then sent to an expert reader, either in Melbourne or Perth, for reading of the plates and assessment. To past this scheme, the dog or bitch must display excellent hips and elbows, with no major changes or arthritis. ONLY then will the dog or bitch be given a pass and be approved to go on to Breed Survey and breeding.

Breed Survey Scheme.

The Breed Survey scheme, set up by the G.S.D.C of Australia Inc., is a testing system conducted for German Shepherd dogs and bitches who have achieved a pass for hips and elbows. The dogs are assessed in movement as a group by a panel of Surveyors, they are required to go through a crowd of unknown people, and display no sign of fear or aggression, then stand for a gun test, where a gun is fired several times, and they must stand confidently and show no sign of anxiety or fear. After this they have Ear Tattoo verified, teeth checked for correct number and spacing, are measured for correct size (not too small, not too large), weighed and have this noted. They are then individually assessed for conformation, soundness and movement, and given a classification of Class I or Class II, if they are found suitable for BREEDING