  
The Conformation of the German Shepherd
Height at the withers for males: 24” – 26” and bitches slightly smaller: 22”-24”. The length of their torso to the height of their withers should be between 10 - 17%. Weight for males is averaged at between 80lbs – 110 lbs, and bitches between 65lbs-90lbs.
The German Shepherd’s head should look wedge-shaped and in good proportion to the dog’s size. The head should be moderately wide between the ears. The forehead is only slightly domed when examined from the side. The Shepherds skull is fairly even in width and length. Looking down on the skull it should slope into a wedge shaped muzzle.  Both the lower and upper jaws are powerful and the nose should be straight without being dished or Roman. The teeth should meet neatly and be level, neither overshot or undershot are desirable. The muzzle should be predominately black. The teeth of the German Shepherd are strong and the upper and lower incisors should meet in a scissors type manner. Their jaw is well defined and developed.The color of the Shepherd’s eyes should be dark and appear penetrating. They are almond in shape, medium in size, oblique and not ‘popeyed. The ears are always upright, never flopping over, and carried erect and parallel to one another. They should be carried pointed towards the front and should be medium in size. The neck flows into the back and chest in smooth, well muscled grace and should depict strength. The top line should slope slightly and gently away from the withers toward the croup at an approximately 23 degree angle .gif) and should look as if one graceful line is drawn from the top of the head to the base of the tail. The back is strong, muscled, and firm. Shepherds chests are in proportion and not overly wide. The depth of the chest should be 45% to 48% the height of the withers. The ribs are sprung moderately and barrel shaped, leaving adequate room for the lungs to expand. The tail should be at a point between the hock joint and halfway down the hock itself. It hangs down smoothly, with a soft gentle curve, the hair on the underside just slightly longer than the top hair. When the dog is in motion or in an excited state, the tail may be elevated but not past the point of being horizontal.  Shepherds chests are in proportion and not overly wide. The depth of the chest should be 45% to 48% the height of the withers. The ribs are sprung moderately and barrel shaped, leaving adequate room for the lungs to expand. The pelt is loose but without folds or flab. Their coat can be tan, light grey, black, brown, reddish brown, cream, and silver (light grey). White is not a desirable color although a few white hairs on their chest and inside of their legs is permissible. All German Shepherds, no matter what their coat color is should have a predominately black muzzle and nose. The German Shepherds has a double coat. The undercoat is soft and thick. The outer coat should fall loosely over the undercoat and is straight and coarse, yet soft to the touch. The hair on the inside of the ears, the head, legs, paws, and toes are shorter than the rest of the body. The length of the hair increases on the hind legs giving the appearance of feathers downward to the pasterns and hocks.  The forelegs should be parallel to each other, straight, and firm. The upper arms and shoulders are of equal length, strongly muscled and fit close to the body. The upper arm and shoulder blade meet at a 90 degree angle; however the angle may be as much as 110 degrees. The elbows should fit should not be turn either inward or outward but fit straight when the dog is moving or standing.
The angle of the pastern is between 20-22 degrees to the foreleg and approximately 1/3 the length of the forearm. This allows for a free, fluid, and balanced motion. It also makes the Shepherd more agile, and assists with their endurance. The paws are arched, well rounded, and firm without being too hard, brittle, or soft. The ball of the foot is hard and dark. Toe nails are usually dark in color and strong. Hind legs help to protect the hind quarters past the point of the pelvis by their well rounded and pronounced stifle joint. The hock is upright and is under the joint. They are parallel to one another and the upper thighs are nearly the same length as the lower thighs, are well muscled and strong. They should form an angle of about 120 degrees.
The German Shepherd is beauty in motion and they appear to float rather than run. Because their legs and body are so well balanced they are able to move gracefully and without appearance of effort. The front and rear legs are in proportion to one another and allows the dog to move its rear legs well up under its body. Nearly matching the reach and motion of the rear legs, the front legs work in union and help to keep the top line flat and quiet, hardly disturbing its appearance on non-motion. This floating trot is a ground covering gait and give the appearance of effortless movement and allowing for great endurance.
The German Shepherd Dog in Motion |
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