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German Shepherd Terminology
This German Shepherd dictionary contains words, phrases, terms and descriptions associated with the German Shepherd breed, a companion to other learning materials contained in this breed guide.
Some of the following terminology is quite complex, so you are being given the most basic definition. It is also important to remember that these various traits require consideration of other things - an example of this is aggression; When discussing various types of aggression you must take nerve strength into consideration.
Some of the following terminology is quite complex, so you are being given the most basic definition. It is also important to remember that these various traits require consideration of other things - an example of this is aggression; When discussing various types of aggression you must take nerve strength into consideration.
GSD
GSD is an abbreviation that stands for German Shepherd Dog.
TEMPERAMENT
Temperament refers to the personality traits and innate characteristics of any given dog.
PEDIGREE
A pedigree is the record of descent of an animal, showing it to be purebred. A pedigree contains information regarding a specific dog's ancestors and may include information on health testing and titles. A dog's pedigree is essentially a family tree, showcasing his or her relatives.
NERVES
Measured by a given dogs resilience, ability to withstand stress and mental stability in the face of things that are potentially unnerving.
THRESHOLDS
Thresholds refer to the amount of stimulation required to activate a dog in various drives. Evaluated as low, medium or high thresholds.
DRIVES
Innate genetic attributes or driving forces that motivate or compel a dog to take action. Drives include prey, defense, hunt, fight, etc. Commonly evaluated as low, medium or high.
HUNT DRIVE
The desire to seek out an object and search for it relentlessly despite distractions, environment and length of time.
TOY/BALL DRIVE
Stemming from prey drive, ball drive refers to the dog's desire to play with or work for a ball or other toy.
PREY DRIVE
Prey drive is the instinctual desire to chase a moving object then capture and/or kill it.
DEFENSE DRIVE
A dog's innate desire to protect itself, but also their young, their food, their pack, and their territory from a perceived threat.
RANK DRIVE
The desire of a dog to acquire and maintain a position of dominance (dominant rank) both inside and out of their pack. It is the desire to improve their social standing.
PACK DRIVE
The desire to interact and socialize with members of its pack. An independent dog would be considered low pack drive whereas a high pack drive dog is the one who would rather play with their handler than by themselves. Commonly evaluated as low, medium or high.
FIGHT DRIVE
A dog's desire to dominate, control and overpower an opponent.
HARDNESS
The dog's willingness and ability to overcome stress and distraction, or the dog's ability to recover after a correction or bad experience.
CIVIL
Refers to a dog that is willing to engage a human/threat without equipment being present (such as a bite suit or protection sleeve).
SOCIAL AGGRESSION
Refers to suspicion and inclinations towards individuals both inside and outside of a given dog's pack. Social aggression is also the willingness to accept a challenge and fight.
HANDLER AGGRESSION
Aggression directed towards the handler (person), especially when the dog is pushed or corrected.
REACTIVITY
An abnormal response to a normal situation, can manifest in varying degrees of intensity. Reactivity is a symptom of a potential issue with any of (or a combination of) the following: temperament, thresholds, drives, nerves, etc.
GSD is an abbreviation that stands for German Shepherd Dog.
TEMPERAMENT
Temperament refers to the personality traits and innate characteristics of any given dog.
PEDIGREE
A pedigree is the record of descent of an animal, showing it to be purebred. A pedigree contains information regarding a specific dog's ancestors and may include information on health testing and titles. A dog's pedigree is essentially a family tree, showcasing his or her relatives.
NERVES
Measured by a given dogs resilience, ability to withstand stress and mental stability in the face of things that are potentially unnerving.
THRESHOLDS
Thresholds refer to the amount of stimulation required to activate a dog in various drives. Evaluated as low, medium or high thresholds.
DRIVES
Innate genetic attributes or driving forces that motivate or compel a dog to take action. Drives include prey, defense, hunt, fight, etc. Commonly evaluated as low, medium or high.
HUNT DRIVE
The desire to seek out an object and search for it relentlessly despite distractions, environment and length of time.
TOY/BALL DRIVE
Stemming from prey drive, ball drive refers to the dog's desire to play with or work for a ball or other toy.
PREY DRIVE
Prey drive is the instinctual desire to chase a moving object then capture and/or kill it.
DEFENSE DRIVE
A dog's innate desire to protect itself, but also their young, their food, their pack, and their territory from a perceived threat.
RANK DRIVE
The desire of a dog to acquire and maintain a position of dominance (dominant rank) both inside and out of their pack. It is the desire to improve their social standing.
PACK DRIVE
The desire to interact and socialize with members of its pack. An independent dog would be considered low pack drive whereas a high pack drive dog is the one who would rather play with their handler than by themselves. Commonly evaluated as low, medium or high.
FIGHT DRIVE
A dog's desire to dominate, control and overpower an opponent.
HARDNESS
The dog's willingness and ability to overcome stress and distraction, or the dog's ability to recover after a correction or bad experience.
CIVIL
Refers to a dog that is willing to engage a human/threat without equipment being present (such as a bite suit or protection sleeve).
SOCIAL AGGRESSION
Refers to suspicion and inclinations towards individuals both inside and outside of a given dog's pack. Social aggression is also the willingness to accept a challenge and fight.
HANDLER AGGRESSION
Aggression directed towards the handler (person), especially when the dog is pushed or corrected.
REACTIVITY
An abnormal response to a normal situation, can manifest in varying degrees of intensity. Reactivity is a symptom of a potential issue with any of (or a combination of) the following: temperament, thresholds, drives, nerves, etc.
Descriptions were written by Angel Leandres for The German Shepherd Guide only, do not republish on another site or copy these definition without written permission!
