Classification    
Kkl-1, VA (Vorzüglich‑Select)

Kkl-1, V (Vorzüglich, excellent)

Kkl-2, SG (Sehr‑Gut, very good)

Kkl-2, G (Gut, good)

Not eligible for a Kör classification, but still may get a “G” in a show ring

“U” (Ungenügend, Insufficient) and blocked from the registry

Conditions
Flawless bite, complete dentures, no broken* or defective teeth or large gaps, no extra (double) teeth.
Flawless bite, complete dentures, no large gaps; (double P-1s, and tooth broken accidentally are allowed).
Missing one P-1 premolar or an incisor**
(double P-1s, and accidentally broken teeth are allowed).
Missing two P-1s; or
one P-1 and an incisor; or
one P-2 **

Missing one P-3; or
two incisors; or
one P-2 plus one incisor; or
one P-2 plus one P-1; or
two P-2s;

Absence of: one P-3 and any other tooth; or one fang (canine); or
one P-4; or
one M-1 (1st molar); or
one M-2; or
a total of any three teeth.

*   See rule change of 1998, allowing for exceptions due to non-genetic causes.
** In puppy classes at shows, the judge may give “Promising” to either condition, but for breed surveys and adult show classes, the maximum rating is as above. Puppies are eligible for these show ratings: Very Promising, Promising, Less Promising, and Faulty.

Other Tooth and Jaw Defects
Over- and Under- bites:

Obviously undershot or overshot (the latter being the separation of top incisors standing in front of the bottom ones by the thickness of a matchstick or greater): the dog is not allowed to be listed in the registry.

Imperfect bite (Aufbeißen, off-bite)
A slight off-bite (level, even, pincer bite) of the center incisors can be allowed in Kkl-2.

Caries (tooth decay) disqualifies from the breed survey.

Worn down and discolored:
If due to age, it is considered in the judgment, but with no major downgrading. If teeth have turned slightly yellow or brown, but if the tooth is substantially O.K., Kkl-2 is possible.

Change in SV Breed Show Dentition Rules

Note: This is my translation of the Dentition Rules the SV announced in August 1998. The “dental notation” can be done anywhere, any time, by certain authorized people. The purpose is to provide proof of normal dentition in case disease or accident causes loss before the dog is presented for a Körung (the official record being the Körschein).

The SV concluded this year’s [1998] conference on changing the breed show rules concerning the Ahnentafel (“official pedigree”-registration paper) and regarding damaged (broken) or missing teeth. This is the new wording of section 4.3. of the breed show rules:

Environmental influences that lead to damage to a portion of the teeth, or to their entire absence, have no consequence for breed evaluation awards (such as show placings or Körung). However, it is required that the former presence of healthy, strong teeth and/or a flawless scissors bite be confirmed and noted on the Ahnentafel. The proof to be given the studbook office can be as follows:

(Check-list for establishing dentition registrations)

1. Submission of a dog show judgment [critique and results] and the scorebook, in which a conformation judge has described and confirmed the totality and [former] presence and sufficiency of healthy, robust teeth and a flawless scissors bite determined by personal examination. This is done after the dog has reached the age of 12 months.
2. Submission of the breed survey certificate (Körschein), in which were recorded the dentition and bite status at the time of the survey.
3. The submission of a radiograph together with a certificate by an SV-certified HD veterinarian, or a veterinary dentist approved by the SV. On the radiograph, parts of the root or at least the tooth socket must be shown.

Directives to Veterinarians regardingcertification for tooth faults, and X-ray requirement for the entry in the Ahnentafeln: Unfortunately it frequently occurs that veterinary certifications of damaged or missing teeth are inadequate in description. Until the necessary statements about the Ahnentafel registration exist, taking much time, this can be very vexing to the owners, who are not allowed to exhibit their dogs! We therefore had to put together the most important points for you to certify, in the form of a checklist:

• Complete name of the dog on the pedigree: obvious and legible
• SZ number (SV Zuchtbuch/studbook), on the pedigree
• Tattoo number: in the right ear, agreeing with that on the pedigree
• Give the status of any dentition problem:
• Tooth is broken off, chipped, etc.
• Tooth with root is missing completely (due to environmental, non-genetic) influence)
• Tooth had to be extracted (give reason)
• Cause of the tooth fault
• Position reference (right/left, top/bottom) please imagine yourself behind the dog, to determine which is right or left side
• Description of teeth: Please pay attention to the correct designation (P1, P2, etc.)
• X-rays:  Requirement for the entry in the Ahnentafel:

Tooth faults in the GSD occur often, even though it may be that dogs are completely free of tooth faults for many generations. Inheritance plays a role in the congenital tooth fault, but loss or damage acquired later in life through environmental influences plays no role in determining the breeding value of the GSD or for its descendants. Before the extraction of a tooth, a radiograph must be made in each case. It is a requirement for recording the missing tooth in the Ahnentafel of the dog. The stud-book office of the SV acknowledges radiographs only by certified HD veterinarians or from approved veterinarians specializing in dentistry. Please note, at the establishing of the radiograph, the following:

• Do the X-ray before the extraction!
• Clearly mark: “right” or “left”!
  Still another note: Teeth that do not emerge completely from the gum (or are not normally developed) generally have no designation in the Ahnentafel. Veterinary certifications and radiographs therefore are necessary only for damaged or extracted teeth, whose absence is a result of non-hereditary, outside influences.

Translation and added notes © Fred Lanting, Mr.GSD@netscape.com This notice must appear on all reprints and postings, and all such use must have specific permission from the author. Fred has years of experience as an SV Zuchtrichter (conformation judge) and is an author of books on the GSD and on Orthopedic Disorders, among others.