Guide

What is the German Shepherd breed survey (Körung)?

The breed survey, or Körung, is a thorough evaluation of a German Shepherd’s conformation and character against the breed standard, and the last step before a dog is admitted to breeding. Ján Sudimák, himself a breed survey commissioner (Körmeister), sees it as the breed’s main safeguard.

By Ján Sudimák International judge for conformation and performance, breed survey commissioner (Körmeister), with German Shepherds since 1963, founder of the Eqidius kennel in Bardejov, Slovakia.
Published 3 November 2026

What the book covers

The book tells how the Körung came about in Germany and why the founder of the breed wanted every breeding dog tested. It explains what the judge looks at, what the rating code records and how the author prepares a dog for the survey, alongside his chapters on judging at shows and performance trials.

Guide

Related guides

How to read a German Shepherd pedigree
For Ján Sudimák a pedigree is a record of generations, not a list of titles. He looks at where ancestors repeat on the sire’s and the dam’s side, at the quality of the maternal line and well beyond the first generations – and he reminds breeders that ratings and points are not inherited.
How do I choose a stud dog for my female?
Ján Sudimák starts with health – of the stud, his siblings and his ancestors. Then he looks for a male from an excellent mother, sound in body and mind and confident in character, and he weighs only what can be inherited, never titles or points.