Understanding Your German 'SV' Pedigrees

Many people purchase German imported German Shepherds. When the pedigree arrives, it's written in German. This table is designed to help these people understand a little of their pedigrees.

German Terms American Meaning
SCH Schutzhund
Ahnentafel Ancestral listing
Eltern Parents
Vater Father
Mutter Mother
Leberezeit Lifetime rated
Koermaster Re-evaluated every year
“a” zuerk Hips x-rayed & found good for breeding
ZB Zuchtbewertung best in confirmation
“V” Vorgueglich Excellent Show Rating
ZH customs
Such H Search
SH Red Cross
PH Police
FH Advanced Tracking TItle
HGH Herding Dog Title
Law H Avalanche rescue
MH Message
SV German Shepherd Dog Club of W. Germany
BLH Leader (blind)
Zpr Suitable for breeding
Koerklasse Breed survey
Geschecht Gender
Stockhaarig Hair
Wurflag Birthdate
Wurfjahr Year
Zuechter Breeder
Inzuchtauf I inbreeding
Wurfstoerke Litter size
Besondere Kennzeichen Tattoo
Ammehaufzucht Wet nurse or foster mother
Das zuchatbachamt des SV Keeper of Stud Book
Koersucht-Leiftungszucht-Ahnentafel Breeding & Production Pedigree
Geschwister Siblings
Koer Summary of body development: motion & temp
Schwartz Black
Braun Abzuchin Brown
Grau Grey
Gelbe Yellow or Tan
SBA All black

Ideal Specifics

  • Height for males: 65 cm or 26 inches
  • Height for females: 60 cm or 24 inches
  • 42 teeth: 20 upper, 22 lower



About Author
Ed Frawley
Ed Frawley is the founder and owner of Leerburg.com and has been producing professional dog training videos since 1982. Over the years, he has collaborated with some of the most respected dog trainers in the country. His body of work includes 194 full-length training DVDs and 95 comprehensive online courses. In addition to these, he has produced and published over 4,000 short training videos available free of charge on Leerburg.com and across the company's social media platforms.

Ed and his wife, Cindy—also a professional dog trainer—bred working-line German Shepherds and Belgian Malinois for more than 35 years. Although they retired from breeding in 2009, they had produced over 300 litters by that time.

Ed also served as a K9 handler for the local sheriff's department for 10 years, working in partnership with the West Central Drug Task Force. During his time in law enforcement, he handled multiple narcotics and patrol dogs and conducted more than 1,000 K9 searches. If you want to learn more about Ed, read about his history here.

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