Through GSA Ireland, your dog can be DNA registered, micro-chipped, and X-Rayed under the German SV hip and elbow scheme and spine x-rays are also now newly available. These grades are recognised all over the world and are logged on an international database. To take the first step of health testing your dog under a globally-recognised system, contact GSA Ireland today for a list of our participating vets, now operating all over the country and recognised by the SV in Germany.
For a copy of procedures relating to SV health tests, for NON MEMBERS – email your request to info@gsaireland.com with full contact details. For GSA members, please contact your OG Club Sectretary for a copy of the procedures.
Rather than promote individual breeders, we recommend that you visit one of our GSA Ireland local training groups or Ortsgruppe, and look at lots of different dogs in training before you make your decision.
GSA Ireland strongly recommends buying a puppy or adult German Shepherd from parents who have attained the relevant health tests*, working qualifications** and show grades*** for the breed, both in order to promote the healthy, versatile German Shepherd Dog, to reward those breeders who adhere to international breeding guidelines and to ensure the best chance of your dog living a long and happy life.
*GSA Ireland promotes the use of the parent organisation’s Health Scheme which provides hip, elbow and back x-ray assessments and permissible grades (A-stamp) from which animals are approved to breed. This is the SV HD/ED Health Scheme.
GSA Ireland would advise any potential purchaser of a German Shepherd to pay strict attention to ancestry and health requirements outside of WUSV (the World Body of German Shepherd Dog Clubs) approved schemes. For example; the British Veterinary Association/UK KC Scheme strongly recommends no higher than the following scores for RESPONSIBLE BREEDING:
Breed median score for – HD (Hips) Total of 11, ED (elbows) Total of 0
**The World Body – WUSV recognises the IGP Trial system, providing the disciplines of tracking, obedience and protection as a suitable gauge to fulfil the retention and display of necessary traits required from a working breed such as the German Shepherd Dog. These qualifications are mandatory in the parent organisation’s prerequisites for breeding.
***Show grades should be achieved at suitable Breed Shows. These shows are licensed by WUSV organisations in their respective countries and should adhere to the parent club’s guidelines, as all factors are taken into consideration for any animal to be awarded a grade.
Grades are as follows: –
VA Excellent Select
V Excellent
SG Very Good
G Good
NG Insufficient
Any German Shepherd Dog requires a minimum show grade of G to meet breeding requirements.
