Breed Book

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) has appointed GSA Ireland as Keeper and Administrator of the Breed Book for the German Shepherd Dog in Ireland under Statutory Instrument No. 150/1994 (European Communities – Registration of Pedigree Animals Regulations 1994).

The GSA Breed Book is the official register of German Shepherd Dogs in Ireland. It includes dogs born in Ireland as well as dogs living in Ireland that were born in other countries.

Each dog should be registered by its owner or breeder. The overall objective of the Breed Book is to encourage, improve and promote the responsible breeding and long-term health of the German Shepherd Dog in Ireland, in accordance with the standards of the SV (Verein für Deutsche Schäferhunde) and WUSV (World Union of German Shepherd Dog Clubs).

Applications are open to GSA members holding either Full or Associate Membership.

The Section and Class in which a dog is registered is determined in accordance with the GSA Breed Book Rules.

The Breed Book is divided into three Sections:

1. Basic Section & Litter Registration Section

This section records:

• Microchip identification

• An approved name containing a registered prefix or affix

This section facilitates the initial registration of litters and identification of puppies.

2. Supplementary Section

To qualify for entry into the Supplementary Section, a dog must:

• Be microchip identified

• Hold an approved name with prefix/affix

• Have a DNA profile

• Conform to the German Shepherd Dog Breed Standard under the GSA Breed Warden

3. Main Section

To qualify for entry into the Main Section, a dog must meet all Supplementary Section requirements and:

• Have proven DNA parentage

• Be descended from parents and grandparents registered in the Main Section of an EU-recognised GSD Breed Book

Within the Main Section there are three Classes:

Class 1

• Conform to the GSD Breed Standard under an SV Judge

• HD and ED x-ray results of not less than “noch zugelassen”

• Spinal x-ray (as required by SV/WUSV)

• Minimum working qualification of IPO 1

• Current or Lifetime Körung by an approved Körmeister

Class 2

• Meets the health requirements of Class 1

• Does not hold the required Working or Breed Qualification

Class 3

• Meets minimum entry criteria to the Main Section

• Does not hold Health, Working or Breed Qualifications

Dogs may be reclassified during their lifetime if they subsequently meet or no longer meet the relevant criteria.

Members who are the breeder or owner of a dog or litter that does not hold an EU-recognised pedigree from another country may apply for a GSA Pedigree.

The GSA Pedigree is based on the format of the German SV Pedigree and provides a comprehensive lifelong record for the dog, including:

• Health results

• Working qualifications

• Breed qualifications

• DNA status

• Breeder details

• Ownership and change-of-ownership records

All litter applications to the GSA Breed Book automatically receive a GSA Pedigree for each puppy.