What is SV?

Verein für Deutsche Schäferhunde which translates to German Shepherd Dog Club of Germany, this is the German organization that got it all started.  At the turn of the 1900 century Max Von Stephanitz created the breed we now know as the German Shepherd Dog.  He is also responsible for founding the SV in order to ensure that German Shepherd Dogs would continue to be bred to the highest standards.

What makes SV registered GSD so desirable?

The SV is the founding organization of the GSD.  The SV has set the highest priorities on maintaining the original standards for the German Shepherd Dog established by Max Von Stephanitz.  This ensures that SV GSD will be both correct in confirmation (correct structure and physical appearance) and physical performance (working abilities in obedience, tracking, and protection).  In order for a GSD puppy to be registered and receive SV pink registration papers, both parents must be titled in Schutzhund, competed in SV confirmation dog show receiving Va, V, or SG rating, medical certification of hip and elbow quality, and also receive a KKL (SV Judge recommendation for breeding).  These requirements ensure that only the dogs with the best genetic traits are allowed to breed.  Other German Shepherd dog’s registration organizations only require that both parents were registered with their organization.  This only documents linage and provides no attempt to weed out less desirable genetic traits.  Genetics play an incredibly important role in choosing the best dogs; this is why Vom Miles Haus adheres to the SV standards of breeding.

What is Schutzhund?

Schutzhund translates to protection dog in English.  Schutzhund is a sport created to prove the working abilities of the German Shepherd Dog.  It consists of 3 phases and 3 levels of titling.  Schutzhund titles progress in difficulty from 1 to 3.  Each title consists of a tracking, obedience, and protection. The tracking phase requires a dog to follow the scent track that was set by a human, the length, age, and complexity of the track increase in difficulty with the title level.  The obedience phase involves complex off leash healing, retrieving, sitting, downing, sending away, agility tasks, and focus during distractions.  The protection phase proves the dog’s courage and control, the dog is required to search, hold & bark, guard, attack, and protects its handler while still being under verbal control of the handler.  With both obedience and protection the number and complexity of the tasks increase as the title level increases.

So what makes puppy from Schutzhund titled parents so desirable?

Genetics is the single best chance that your puppy will inherit the sound mind that the German Shepherd dog is revered for.  By having the parents prove themselves in Schutzhund titling, the puppies from these dogs are greatly improving the chance that they will share the intelligence that their parents proved in the Schutzhund ring.  Even if your plans are just for a family pet, these genetic traits will ensure an intelligent, confident, and trainable family companion dog.

Don’t German Shepherd Dogs all have hip dysplasia?

All large breed dogs are suseptible to hip dysplasia (congenital joint malformation).  SV registered dogs have all had their hips x-rayed and certified by an orthopedic veterinarian before they are eligible to breed.  This ensures that only the dogs with the best genetics joint formations are allowed to reproduce SV registered dogs.  Other registration groups have no certification requirements for breeding and have intentionally breed GSD with over exagerated rear quarters length and reach aggravating the dogs potential for hip dysplasia.  Additionally, diet, over feeding, and over exercising a young puppy can cause hip dysplasia in a genetically sound hipped dog.

What dose KKL mean?

Kore Klasse means that a dog has meet the requirements for a breed survey and passed all examinations by a Kormiester (highest level of SV judge) to allow the dog to breed.  Requirements to achieve a KKL are minimum age of 2 years, minimum of Schutzhund 1 title, minimum of G rating in a SV confirmation dog show, certified hips, and AD (endurance test – 12 mile run).  The dog must also be examined by a Kormiester for sound temperament (friendly and self-confident), proper anatomical structure, protection ability test, and proper gate.  Kore Klasse is awarded in level 1 and level 2 with 1 being the highest rating.  Dogs must be reevaluated every 2 years to obtain a current breed survey.  Without parents maintaining current breed survey, puppies would not be eligible for SV registration.  This is the ultimate instrument to ensure only the best German Shepherd Dogs are allowed to breed, and thus pass on only the most desirable genetic characteristics.

Why should I only purchase a German Shepherd Dog from a breeder who adheres to the SV standards?

Because these dogs are of the best possible quality in both mind and body!  The SV standards are very high and only support the best of the best dogs being able to breed and produce SV registered puppies.  By recognizing the SV standard and only purchasing puppies from reputable SV breeders you are preventing casual backyard breeders from producing a sub-standard German Shepherd Dog.  With causal backyard breeders the chances of purchasing a puppy with serious congenital and temperament problems is increased 10 fold by the simple lack of breeding to any standard for health, structure or intelligence.  You would be doing the German Shepherd Dog a great injustice by supporting such a breeding program.

Why should I choose a Vom Miles Haus German Shepherd Dog?

We strictly adhere to the SV standard.  We research all breeding in great detail to guarantee only the best quality puppies are produced.  Puppies are guaranteed 1 year against congenital health problems.  We are a small family owned kennel with a hands on approach to showing, handling, training, and breeding our own dogs.  We are passionate and knowledgeable about German Shepherd Dogs and want to help you gain the same passion and knowledge, by being a mentor to you and your new Vom Miles Haus GSD puppy.  We raise all our puppies from birth to placement in a family setting.  Puppies are exposed to kids, adult dogs, cats, swimming pool, strangers, and the hustle and bustle of a real family home.  Our dogs and puppies are not kennel dogs.  They come in the house and are socialized with our family before they ever go home to your family.  This makes a huge difference in the confidence and social skills of our puppies.