German Shepherds breed information {2}

Breed Survey (KKL)
Any registered German Shepherd that has earned a Schutzhund degree has demonstrated sufficient ability as a working dog to qualify for breed evaluation. The breed evaluation is a very detailed examination of the dog's structure, temperament, and pedigree and requires a certification of good hip joints, sufficient performance on an endurance test (the AD)and a show rating. Dogs that pass the breed evaluation receive a Koerklass I (KKL1) or koerklass II(KKL2). This is a recommendation and evaluation by a trained and recognized expert judge (koermiester) as to the worthiness of the dog for breeding. Dogs rated Koerklass I (KKL 1) are "recommended for breeding". Dogs rated Koerklass II (KKL2) are "suitable for breeding" and by thus screening dogs in order to select the suitable specimens for breeding, Schutzhund helps to maintain the quality of the breed at a very high level.

Temperament
The German Shepherd Dog's temperament and intelligence has earned it an international fan club. Its affable, easy-going nature gives way to a strong protective instinct when provoked. People close to the breed frequently claim that German Shepherds know right from wrong and that a well-trained GSD is the best roommate you could ask for.
As the GSD is used worldwide by law enforcement agencies, it is known as a loyal, intelligent, highly trainable & affectionate dog. A well-bred GSD would make a perfect family or personal companion & protection dog.
Its balanced temperament makes him suitable to live in various environments such as families with young kids or babies, or in a home with a sole owner.

Coat and Color
The German Shepherd Dog varies in color, and mostly rich colors are preferred. Acceptable colors include black and tan, black and red, solid black, sable, and black and silver. White & albino dogs are not desirable. Pale, washed out colors and blues and livers are considered faults. Other faults are soft, silky, wooly, curly or too long outer coats.
A long coated puppy is probably the cutest thing on earth.  From a Breeder point of view the long coats are a bit of a curse because typically they can be your best puppy in the litter, but they carry the long coat recessive gene which is not desirable for breeding & shows.  In order for a long coat to be produced in a litter, both parents must carry this recessive gene.  This coat factor comes from the beginning of the breed where the dogs were more "Collie coated". During the progression of the breed and the development of the standard it was determined that this coat was not as weatherproof for the dogs that were working in the field herding sheep.  There are varying lengths of long coats, some almost have a normal body coat, but they have tufting on the ears, genetically they are still long coats.  The German SV standard does not allow them to be bred and those of us that follow this rigid standard will sell all long coated puppies on restricted papers or non breeding.  You can still work the dog in almost all aspects of sport but it can not be shown or breed surveyed. Personally I love long coats and am never unhappy when I see them in my litter, typically they are the first to sell and the ones that are always carried around and cuddled the most.