A competent breeder aims to produce stock a close as possible to the Breed Ideal as outlined by the Breed Standard. There is really only of correct type of German Shepherd Dog but the written standards vary slightly from one country to another.

The German Shepherd Dog is a medium size dog. The ideal height for bitches is 57.5 and dogs 62.5 with 2.5 allowed either below or above. The body is slightly longer in comparison to height, of powerful and well muscled build, with weather resistant coat. Relation between height, length, position and structure of fore and hindquarters (angulation) producing far reaching, enduring gait. Clear definition of masculinity and femininity essential, and working ability never sacrificed for mere beauty.

Versatile working dog, balanced and free from exaggeration. Alternative, alert, resilient and tireless with keen scenting.

Steady of nerve, loyal, self-assured, courageous and tractable. Never nervous, over aggressive or shy.

Proportionate in size to body, never coarse, too fine or long. Clean cut, fairly broad between the ears. Forehead slightly domed, little or no trace of central furrow. Cheeks forming softly rounded curve, never protruding. Skull from ears to bridge of nose tapering gradually and evenly, blending without too pronounced stop into wedge shaped powerful muzzle. Skill approximately 50 % of overall length of head. Width of skull corresponding approx. to length, in males slightly greater, in females slightly less. Muzzle strong, lips firm, clean and closing tightly. Top of muzzle straight, almost parallel to forehead. Short, blunt weak, pointed, overlong muzzle undesirable.

Eyes medium size, broad at base, set high, carried erect, almost parallel, never pulled inwards or tipped, tapering to a point, open at the front. Never hanging.

Neck fairly long, strong with well developed muscles, free from throatiness. Carried at 45 degrees angle to horizontal, raised when excited, lowered at fast trot.

Shoulder blades long, set obliquely (45 degrees) laid flat to body. Upper arm strong, well muscled, joining shoulder blade at approximately 90 degrees. Forelegs straight from pasterns to elbows view from any angle, bond oval rather than round. Pasterns firm, supple and slightly angulated. Elbows neither tucked in nor turned out. Length of foreleg exceeding length of leg. (54 to 55).

Length measured from point of breast bone to rear edge of pelvis, exceeding height a withers. Correct ration 10:0 or 8 ½ . Undersized dogs, stunted growth, high legged dogs, those too heavy or too light in build, over loaded fronts, too short overall appearance, any feature detracting from reach and endurance of gait, undesirable.

Chest deep (45% - 48%) of height at shoulder, not too broad, brisket long, well developed. Ribs well formed and long, nether barrel shaped nor too flat, allowing free movement of elbows when gaiting.

Relative short loin. Belly firm, only slightly drawn up. Back between withers and croup, straight, stongly developed, not too long. Overall length achieved by correct angle of well laid shoulders, correct length of croup and hindquarters. Withers long, of good height and well defined, joining back at a smooth line without disrupting flowing top line slightly sloping from front to back. Weak, soft and roach backs undesirable.

Loin broad, strong, well muscled. Croup long, gently curving downwards to tail without disrupting flowing top line. Short, steep or flat croup undesirable.

Overall strong, brad and well-muscled, enabling effortless forward propulsion of whole body. Upper thighbone, viewed from side, sloping to slightly longer lower thighbone. Hind angulation sufficient if imaginary line dropped from point of buttocks cuts through lower thigh just in front of hock, continuing down slightly to front of hind feet. Angulation corresponding approximately with front angulations, without over-angulation, hock strong. Any tendency towards over-angulation of hindquarters reduces firmness and endurance.

Feet are rounded, toes well-closed and arched. Pads well cushioned and durable. Nails short, strong and dark in colour. Dew claws on the hindquarters are no longer produced and if they are should be removed.

Tail is busy haired and reaches at least to the hock. At the rest hangs in slight sabre-like curve, when moving raised and curve increased, ideally never above the level of the back. Short, rolled, curled and generally carried badly or stumpy from birth, undesirable.

Sequence of step follows diagonal pattern, moving foreleg and opposite hind leg forward simultaneously, hind foot thrust forward to midpoint of body and having equally long reach with forefeet without any noticeable change in the top line.

Black or black saddle with tan, or gold to light grey markings. Grey with lighter brown markings referred to as sables. Nose black. Light markings on chest or very pale colour on insides of legs permissible but undesirable as are whitish nails, red tipped tails or wishy-washy faded colours defined as lacking in pigmentation. Blues, livers, albinos, whites are serious faults.