Dental Notation Procedure

Effective April 1st 1999

A decision was made by at the SV General Board meeting to change the procedure for dental notations regarding missing or injured teeth. This change will require that for all dental notations, an entry must be made by an SV Körmeister or a USA or SV Conformation Show Judge in the corresponding section of the dogs score book showing proof of complete dentition as soon as the dog receives permanent teeth. Even if an x-ray is provided as proof, it is still mandatory that the required entry be made in the corresponding section of the score book an SV Körmeister or a USA or SV Conformation Show Judge.

Since most scorebooks at this time do not contain a dental notation section at the link below you will find the required form, which you may print and cut out and insert in your dogs scorebook for future use, if ever necessary

Dental Status Form

In summary, below please find the revised text paragraph 4.3 of the SV conformation show rules. This also applies to the breed survey rules as well.

Conformation show ratings are not influenced by teeth, which are partially or completely missing due to external influence. It is required to have proof of the existence of a previously healthy and strong dentition with a complete scissor bite. An entry must be made on the original pedigree: 

The following proof is acceptable: 

1. Entry by a Kormeister or conformation judge in the corresponding section of the scorebook, showing proof of complete dentition as soon as the dog receives permanent teeth.

2. Korschein, showing proof of dental status at time of the first survey.

3. X-ray and a letter from a licensed veterinarian showing at least parts of the root or tooth space.

Veterinary Letter for Dental Notations

Quite often the veterinary letters for dental notation are missing important information. To keep the processing time as short as possible, the following information must be included in the veterinary letter.

1.  Complete registered name of the dog as it appears on the pedigree.

2.  Registration number.

3.  Tattoo Number.

4.  Dental Status:

a)  Tooth is broken

b)  Tooth is completely missing (due to external influence)

c)  Tooth had to be extracted.

5   Reason for dental fault

6.  Location (right/left-upper/lower jaw, please stand behind dog when determining the right or left side).

7.  Description of the tooth (please pay attention to correct description, for example P1, 2, etc.) 

 Radiographs

Dental faults occur in German Shepherd Dogs from time to time. Only genetically caused dental faults matter. Dental faults caused by external influence (however it may happen) cannot be passed on to future generations and do not lower the breeding value of the German Shepherd Dog.

If the tooth is missing completely, including the root or when a tooth is extracted, an x-ray is required. Before a tooth is extracted an x-ray an x-ray must be taken in any case. The x-ray is required for dental notation. The SV only recognizes x-rays taken by a licensed veterinarian.

Please pay close attention to the following: 

a)  X-ray must be taken before the tooth is extracted

b) Clear description of the tooth (left/right).

Note: teeth that are not completely emerged from the gum (or not correctly developed) cannot receive a dental notation on the pedigree.

A certification by a veterinarian and x-rays are only necessary for teeth, which were injured or were extracted due to the external influence.

Procedure for recording Dental Notation

German Shepherd Dogs who have had a dental injury or have a dental fault must have the injury, tooth loss, or dental fault noted on the pedigree by the SV. The following items must be submitted to the USA Office for processing of dental notations:

1.  Original recognized registration papers, including pedigree.

2.  Veterinary Letter (please refer to the requirements listed under “Veterinary Letter for Dental Notations”

3.  Original scorebook to include the entry made by an SV Kormeister or a USA or SV Conformation Show Judge in the corresponding section showing proof of complete dentition.

4.  X-ray, (please refer to the requirements listed under Radiographs).

5.  Dental notation fee of $52.00 payable to the United Schutzhund Clubs of America.

If you plan to attend a USA breed Survey or USA Conformation Show in the near future and any dental faults have not been recorded on the pedigree or registration papers by the SV, the dental notation can be applied for at the USA event and submitted to the USA Office by the clubs show secretary. In this case, please supply the above-required items to the show secretary to be forwarded to the USA Office for processing.