The German Shepherd Dog Council of Australia (Inc) was founded on the 13th April 1960, and like a number of other single dog breed councils, is directly affiliated with the Australian National Kennel Council (ANKC). It comprises all of the German Shepherd Dog clubs and associations in the states and territories of Australia.

Those member clubs and associations are :

German Shepherd Dog Club of Victoria Inc
German Shepherd Dog League of New South Wales Inc
German Shepherd Dog Association of Western Australia Inc
German Shepherd Dog Club of Queensland Inc
German Shepherd Dog Club of South Australia Inc
German Shepherd Dog Club of Tasmania Inc
German Shepherd Dog Club of the Northern Territory Inc
Australian Capital Territory German Shepherd Dog Association Inc
Newcastle and Hunter Region German Shepherd Dog Club Inc
Broken Hill German Shepherd Dog Club Inc

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CONSTITUTION

The Constitution of the German Shepherd Dog Council of Australia (Inc) has undergone little change since 13th April 1960, and the current version is available in PDF format :
 

Council's early development and a short breed history relevant to Australia is included on this webpage underneath the following list of current council executive, officers and consultants, with contact information. Email addresses enclosed with "< >" brackets denote officers personal or private addresses for emails of  a "person to person" nature.

COUNCIL OFFICIALS AND CONTACTS

PATRON :

.

GSDCA EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE :

President:- Mr Bruce Knight - Phone: 08 9398 8099 - Mob: 04 1939 8809 - E-mail: president@gsdcouncilaustralia.org or <b.knight.gsdca@bigpond.com>
Secretary:- Mrs Val Moody: - Phone: 03 5426 4286 - E-mail: secretary@gsdcouncilaustralia.org 

All electronic GSDCA business correspondence:- Email:

Postal Address:- Secretary GSDCA, PO Box 173, Macedon 3440, Victoria, Australia.

All electronic Quarterly National Review Magazine correspondence:- E-mail:

Fax: 08 8537 5266 - Mobile: 04 1492 1020

Postal Address: Editor QNR, c/o Post Office, Wistow 5251, South Australia

German Shepherd Dog Club of Victoria: - Mr Dom Cafari - Phone: 03 9744 4783 - E-mail: cafari@bigpond.com.au
German Shepherd Dog League of New South Wales: - Mr Graeme Stevenson - Phone: 02 9450 1639 - E-mail: <graemestevenson@optusnet.com.au> 
German Shepherd Dog Association of Western Australia: - Mr Ian Marr: - 9305 2193 - Fax: 9305 2398 - Email: <ian.marr@watercorporation.com.au>
German Shepherd Dog Club of Queensland: - Ms Sharon Thorp - Phone: 07 3800 9611 - Mob: 04 1211 2372 - E-mail: <president@gsdcqld.org.au>
German Shepherd Dog Club of South Australia: - Mr John De Lucia - Phone: 08 8522 1692 - Fax: 08 8522 1692 - E-mail: <jjdelucia@optusnet.com.au>
German Shepherd Dog Club of Tasmania: - Mr Peter Webb - Phone: 03 6357 2148 - Fax: - E-mail: <petrosw@dodo.com.au>
German Shepherd Dog Club of the Northern Territory: - Mrs Mary Ryng - Phone: 08 8988 1232 - Fax: - E-mail: <mary.ryng@latis.net.au>
Australian Capital Territory German Shepherd Dog Association: - Mr Wolf Meffert - Phone/Fax: 02 6230 2456 - E-mail: <wmeffert@bigpond.net.au>
Newcastle and Hunter Region German Shepherd Dog Club: - Mr Sean Lynch - Phone: 02 4981 7358 - Fax: - E-mail: <fremont@bigpond.com>
Broken Hill German Shepherd Dog Club: - Mr Tony Lines - Phone: 08 8088 5381 - Fax: 08 8088 3293 - E-mail: <westnews@pcpro.net.au>

GSDCA OFFICERS :

Hereditary Diseases Chairperson:- Dr Karen Hedberg - Phone: 02 4571 2124 - Fax: 02 4571 2451 - E-mail: <gsdvetkh@bigpond.com>
Tattoo Registrar:- Mr Frank Moody - Phone: 03 5426 4286 - E-mail: secretary@gsdcouncilaustralia.org
Hip Dysplasia and Elbow Dysplasia Registrar:- Mr Doug West - Phone: 08 8326 5392 - Fax: 08 8326 5289 - E-mail: <dougrwest@bigpond.com>  
National Haemophilia Registrar:- Dr Karen Hedberg - Phone: 02 4571 2124 - Fax: 02 4571 2451 - E-mail: <gsdvetkh@bigpond.com>
National and MBE Show Coordinator:- Mr Ian Urie - Phone: 03 5968 8441 - Mob: 04 1817 5727 - E-mail: <ian.urie@bigpond.com>
Promotions and Marketing Officer:- Mr Dale Halling - Phone: 08 8537 5255 - Fax: 08 8537 5266 - E-mail: <darkknight.sa@darkknightkennels.com>
Publicity Officer:- Mrs Annie Tamblyn - Phone: 07 3899 5213 - Fax: 07 3899 5214 - Mob: 04 1870 9238 - E-mail: <annie@firead.com.au> 
Historian (Golden Jubilee Edition):- Mr James Rodger - Phone: 03 9808 7453 - Fax: 03 9899 6871 - E-mail: <jwh.rodger@gmail.com>
Public Officer:- Ms Lenore Harris - Phone: 02 6259 1786 - E-mail: <lha94935@bigpond.net.au> 
National and MBE Photographer:- Mrs Caron-Lee Kahl - Phone: 02 9524 2650 - Fax: 02 9524 2650 - E-mail: <sturmvolke@ozemail.com.au>
Database Co-ordinator:- Mr Frank Moody - Phone: 03 5426 4286 - E-mail: secretary@gsdcouncilaustralia.org
Webmaster:- Mr John Fenner - Phone: 08 9448 3965 or Mob: 04 1228 3965 - E-mail: <saarbachtal@bigpond.com> or <saarbachtal@hotmail.com>

Website address:- http://www.gsdcouncilaustralia.org - Website data submissions:- E-mail: info@gsdcouncilaustralia.org

All electronic GSDCA Website data and enquiries:- Email:

GSDCA BREED SURVEYORS :

Victoria:-
Mrs F Farley, Mrs A Pettenhoffer, Mr V Tantaro, Mrs J M Neddermeyer, Mr J Rodger, Mr A Henderson, Mrs J Yuen, Mr G Green, Mr I Urie.

New South Wales:-
Mr T Jarvis, Mrs F Stokes, Mr R Bonello, Dr K Hedberg, Mrs M Groth , Mr G Stevenson, Mr J Hugo.

Queensland:-
Mr R Wenham, Mr L Donald, Mr B O'Rourke, Mrs C O'Rourke.

Western Australia:-
Mr J Fenner, Mrs H Gross-Richardson, Mrs R Knuckey.

South Australia:- 
Mr H J Neddermeyer, Mr D West, Mrs J M Neddermeyer, Mrs J Butterfield, Mrs C Collins, Mr S Collins.

GSDCA GSD SPECIALIST SHOW JUDGES :

Victoria:-
Mrs F Farley, Mrs A Pettenhoffer, Mr V Tantaro, Mr J Rodger, Mr A Henderson, Mrs J Yuen, Mr G Green, Mr I Urie, Mr C Hollingworth, Mr P Flynn.

New South Wales:-
Mr T Jarvis, Mrs F Stokes, Mr R Bonello, Ms F Gehring, Dr K Hedberg, Mrs M Groth, Mr J Hugo, Mr G Stevenson, Dr R Zammit, Mr I Kahl, Mr G Gregory,
Mrs K Gregory.

Queensland:-
Mr R Wenham, Mr L Donald, N Jones, Mr R Vernon, Mr B O'Rourke, Mrs C O'Rourke.

Western Australia:-
Mr J Fenner, Mrs H Gross-Richardson, Mrs R Knuckey, Mr B Knight.

South Australia:-
Mr H J Neddermeyer, Mrs J M Neddermeyer, Mr H Garvican, Mrs J Brabham, Mrs J Butterfield, Mrs C Collins, Mr S Collins, Mr I Cooke, Ms J Pike.

GSDCA GSD SPECIALIST OBEDIENCE, AGILITY, ENDURANCE AND TRACKING JUDGES :

* Denotes GSDCA Judges badge holder.
Criteria for inclusion on this list is current ANKC Judges licence and membership of GSDCA affiliate in the State of residence.

Legend :

State
Name - Licence held - Address - Contact details

N.S.W.
 Tiki Friezer - Novice Obedience, Tracking - PO Box 578, Baulkham Hills, NSW, 2153 - 02 9634 5709
 Janice Humphries  - Novice Obedience - 47 Alexander St. Smithfield, NSW, 2164 - 02 9725 1548

Queensland
* Val Bonney - All Obedience, Agility - 34 Romea Street, The Gap Qld, 4061 - 07 3300 2959
* Warren Doyle - All Obedience, Tracking, Endurance - 131 School Road, Logan Reserve, Qld, 4133 - 07 3803 5227

South Australia
* Jan Brabham - All Obedience, Endurance - 2 Muir Ave, Parkholme, SA, 5043 - 08 8276 4025
 Alison Rumble - All Obedience - 24 St Mary’s Street, Willunga, SA, 5172 - 08 8556 4074 - <rumble@senet.com.au>
* David Rumble - All Obedience, Agility, Endurance - 24 St Mary’s Street Willunga, SA, 5172 - 08 8556 4074 - <rumble@senet.com.au>
 Joe Seidle - Novice & Open Obedience - Lot 1 Parkers Road, Gawler Belt, SA, 5118 - 0412 487736

Tasmania
 B Blinstrub - All Obedience - PO Box 23, Richmond, Tas, 7025 - 03 6260 2408
* Jill Tait - All Obedience, Agility - 591 East Derwent Hwy, Lindisfarne, Tas, 7015 - 03 6243 7130

Victoria
* Jim Begg - All Obedience - 18 Hall Street, Brighton, Vic, 3186 - 03 9592 0092 - <jwbegg@melbpc.org.au>
* Dawn Howard - All Obedience, Agility, Tracking, Endurance - 496 Burke Road, Camberwell, Vic, 3124 - 03 98824736 or 0412 088 055 - <howard@vicnet.net.au>
 Ute May - All Obedience, Agility, Tracking, Endurance - PO Box 97, Heathcote 3525 - 03 5433 3129
 Frank Valastro - All Obedience, Agility, Tracking, Endurance - 110 Avalon Road, Lara, Vic, 3212 - 03 5282 3115 - <barfran@optusnet.com.au>

Western Australia
* John Fenner - All Obedience, Agility, Endurance - 4 Driffield Street, Hamersley, WA, 6022 - 08 9448 3965 or 04 1228 3965 - <saarbachtal@bigpond.com>
* Valeta Pethrick - All Obedience, Agility, Tracking, Endurance - 47 Quarkum Street Wanneroo, WA 6065 - 08 9405 1984 - <pethrick@iinet.net.au>
* Honey Gross-Richardson - All Obedience, Agility, Tracking, Endurance - 48 Campsbourne St, Balcatta, WA 6021 - 08 9349 8431 - <richardson@crystal.com.au>

GSDCA CONSULTANTS :

HD/ED:- Dr Rodger Lavelle (Vic), Dr Malcolm Willis (UK), Prof Bob Wyburn (WA).
Haemophilia:- Dr Bruce Parry (Vic).

Note :

For International telephone calls, prefix the numbers listed above by " + 61 #", where # is the identifier in the area code.
For Interstate telephone calls, the numbers listed above are already prefixed by their area code, ie " 0# ".

BREED HISTORY AND EARLY COUNCIL DEVELOPMENT

A Short Breed History Relevant to Australia :

Four German Shepherd Dogs are believed to be the first arrivals in 1904, when they landed on the shores of Western Australia. Imported by Mr A G Sewell, two of them being Freia vom Park and Stephen vom Park, both German bred and thought to be related to the 1903 German Sieger Roland vom Park.

The first official import was not until 1925, after which, importing of this breed was only allowed until 1929, when a national ban was imposed by the Government of the day. Also, in some states, including Western Australia, even breeding was forbidden as well.

On the 13th April 1960, the GSDCA commenced its activities as a result of the vision of its founder Mr Roy Brabham, whom also became the inaugural President. The GSDCA was the first single breed Council in Australia and the only one for many years.

Not until December 1972 was the importation ban partly lifted in Australia, and it was fully lifted in 1974. Yet a further two years was to elapse before the breeding restrictions in Western Australia were to be rescinded on Christmas Eve, 24th December 1976.

During the past two decades, development of the German Shepherd Dog Breed in Australia has been outstanding to the point where dogs in this country are recognized as being on par to those of any other country in the world, apart from Germany where the breed first originated. The National German Shepherd Dog Show and Obedience trial was first conducted in 1967 and became an annual event onwards from 1976. A Sieger-type show, known as the Main Breed Exhibition was commenced in 1987 by the German Shepherd Dog Council of Australia. The Council has introduced breed improvement schemes for aspects such as identification (tattoo), hips, elbows, other hereditary diseases, and breed survey (suitability and worthiness for breeding).

The Early Years of GSDCA Development :

The German Shepherd Dog Council of Australia (Inc) had its inaugural meeting on the 13th April 1960 in Sydney. Milestones and significant dates in terms of Council progress over the first 30 years are :

1960 - GSDCA commenced with Roy Brabham as President on the 13th April.
1963 - Logo developed as black silhouetted GSD with an outline of Australia as a background.
1964 - National Review Magazine was first published by Roy Brabham as its Editor.
1964 - 1st Patron selected was Judge Norman F Mitchell.
1965 - Press Cutting Service commenced to combat adverse media publicity.
1965 - Incorporated on 9th July.
1967 - 1st National Show and Obedience Trial on 19th March in Sydney, NSW (Judge: P Hutter).
1967 - Specialist Judges List instigated.
1967 - Adoption of the German Standard was first sought from ANKC.
1967 - Standard GSD Pedigree Forms.
1967 - Code of Ethics started to be developed.
1968 - National Review Magazine production lapsed.
1972 - 2nd National Show and Obedience Trial in Canberra, ACT (Judge: C Rummel).
1973 - Initial trial for lifting of National GSD Importation Ban.
1973 - 2nd Patron selected was Rt Hon Donald L Chipp MP.
1974 - Permanent lifting of the National GSD Importation Ban.
1974 - New dogs became available for breeding subsequent to the Importation Ban being lifted.
1974 - 3rd National Show and Obedience Trial in Melbourne, Victoria (Judge: H Jochmann).
1974 - National Review Magazine (half foolscap format) was reinstigated with Walter H Reimann as Editor.
1976 - Start of a new era of GSD development with Louis C Donald as President.
1976 - 4th National Show and Obedience Trial in March at Nurioopta, SA (Judges: R Fauser and H Jochmann).
1976 - WA GSD Breeding Ban lifted by WA State Parliament on 24th December.
1977 - Breed Survey Scheme adopted Australia wide.
1977 - 5th National Show and Obedience Trial in Canberra, ACT (Judge: B Hengmeth).  
1978 - Breed Survey Year Book first published.
1978 - 6th National Show and Obedience Trial in Camden (Sydney), NSW (Judges: W Martin and G Koellges).  
1979 - Tattoo Scheme introduced.
1979 - 7th National Show and Obedience Trial in Ballarat, Victoria (Judges: H Martin and E Beck).  
1980 - 8th National Show and Obedience Trial in Nurioopta, SA (Judges: R Fauser and E Wieser).  
1981 - 9th National Show and Obedience Trial in Campbelltown (Sydney), NSW (Judges: H Jochmann and G Kasper).  
1982 - Hip Dysplasia Scheme introduced.
1982 - New editor of National Review Magazine was James W H Rodger.
1982 - 10th National Show and Obedience Trial in Canberra, ACT (Judges: E Beck and G Koellges).  
1983 - Judges Sub-Committee introduced.
1983 - Obedience Sub-Committee introduced.
1983 - 11th National Show and Obedience Trial in Dandenong, Victoria (Judges: E Orschler and W Martin).  
1984 - 12th National Show and Obedience Trial in Nurioopta, SA (Judges: R Fauser and H Jochmann).  
1985 - 20th and last edition of the National Review Magazine in the half foolscap format.
1985 - 13th National Show and Obedience Trial in Penrith (Sydney), NSW (Judges: W Martin and G Kasper).  
1986 - New format for the Quarterly National Review Magazine (A4 format) with James Rodger as Editor.
1986 - Tooth Certificate Scheme introduced.
1986 - 14th National Show and Obedience Trial in Canberra, ACT (Judges: R Dexel and B Wieneke).  
1987 - Haemophilia Certificate Scheme introduced.
1987 - ANKC Affiliation - Recognition of Breed National Councils introduced.
1987 - 15th National Show and Obedience Trial in Dandenong, Victoria (Judges: G Koellges and R Fauser).  
1987 - 1st Main Breed Exhibition with Sieger Edlenblut Orkan and Siegerin Landrina Majic Melody.
1988 - Year of consolidation of GSDCA Schemes.
1988 - 16th National Show and Obedience Trial in Nurioopta, SA (Judges: G Kasper and A Humberdros).  
1988 - 2nd Main Breed Exhibition with Sieger Edlenblut Orkan and Siegerin Landrina Majic Melody. 
1989 - 17th National Show and Obedience Trial in Richmond (Sydney), NSW (Judges: E Wieser and E Orschler).  
1989 - 3rd Main Breed Exhibition with Sieger Prima Zorba and Siegerin Darkana Kalani .  
1990 - 18th National Show and Obedience Trial in Durack (Brisbane), Queensland (Judges: W Martin and G Koellges).  
1990 - 4th Main Breed Exhibition with Sieger Prima Zorba and Siegerin Bluemax Flare, in West Beach (Adelaide) SA.  
 

The original German name is ‘deutsche Schäferhund’ and most countries adopting the breed used a strict translation. Thus, the breed became the Duitche Herdershond (Holland), Chien de Berger Allemand (France), Pastor Aleman (Spain) and German Sheepdog (USA). However, in these countries the breed had been established prior to 1914.  In Britain, only a handful of dogs existed by that time and the influx of dogs and would be breeders began with the armistice of 1918.

These new fanciers were faced with the problem of what to call the breed. Looking back with hindsight, it seems ridiculous to even suggest any name other than a strict translation, but the First World War brought with it a different reaction to the Second.  In the 1940’s the anti-German feeling was, in the main, directed at political parties rather than at Germans as such. In 1914-18, it was against Germany and all things German. Breeds of dog suffered equally with Beethoven and Wagner. In France, the breed became for a brief time the Chien de Berger d'Alsace and in America in 1917, it became the Shepherd Dog and the club became The Shepherd Dog Club of America, a change not rectified until 1931.

In 1919, when a breed club was to be formed in Britain, the early members settled for the Alsatian Wolf-Dog as a name. A separate register was established and in August of that year, the Alsatian Wolf-Dog Club was set up.  In a sense, the Wolf-Dog term was as damaging as any 'German' would have been since it implied very close relationship to wolves.  The Wolf-Dog bit was quickly dropped and in 1924, the Wolf-Dog Club and a second organization known as The Alsatian League joined forces to become The Alsatian League and Club of Great Britain.  In 1936, the breed became known as Alsatian (German Shepherd Dog).

The Kennel Club of U.K. officially changed the name to German Shepherd Dog as from lst July, 1977. A strong contribution to that change was made by the late Walter Riemann of Victoria, Australia, whom served the breed as a Breed Surveyor and Editor of the GSDCA's GSD National Review magazine from 1974 to 1982.

In Australia, prior to adoption of the correct name, the breed was variously known as "German Sheep Dogs", "Alsatian Wolf Hounds" and "Alsatian Wolf Dogs". "Alsatians" became known by their correct name, "German Shepherd Dog", from before 1940 in all the Australian states and territories Kennel Controls.

The Adopted Breed Standard :

The German Shepherd Dog Council of Australia (GSDCA) adopts under its constitution and rules, the Breed Standard for the German Shepherd Dog as adopted by the Australian National Kennel Council (ANKC). These controlling bodies in agreement after research and consultation have elected to choose the Standard from the country of origin, which is Germany. This is consistent with the Standard adopted by the international canine controlling body, the Federation Cynologique Internationale (FCI).