Wertmessziffern

...:: DDR Wesenwertmessziffernsystem ::...

In the old East Germany the Schutzhund and working dogs were rated by the Wertmessziffer system. In English Wertmessziffer means "measured value number". This system was quick and easy to understand for breeders/buyers wanting to get a look into the conformation and temperament of any dog that had been evaluated and rated.

As an example, a dog with a Wertmessziffer rating of 6545/55 would be a powerfully built dog with ideal constitution, good angulation. It would be be relaxed and friendly yet very hard when provoked. It's courage and sharpness would be very good.

This is a chart of the system itself and an example rating.

1st digit:
Size/Format 2st digit:
Appearance 3st digit:
Conformation 4st digit:
Temperament / 5st digit:
Fighting instinct 6st digit:
Hardness

0 Typeless slinky, soft,fragile
cryptorchid nervous, afraid, very shy (fighting instinct and hardness are measured from 1 to 5 only)

1 W/o substance
lacking secondary sex characteristics lacking in proportion, angulation, gait or chest faults easily frightened, lacking courage or sensitive to sound none none

2 Slight dentition faults, washed-out pigmentation lacking forehand or backhand depth unsure, frightened at times, may have sharpness, can be aroused/agitated easily some some

3 Leggy deficient coat or weak foundation standard angulations distrustful or aggressive toward people (that famous DDR sharpness) fair fair

4 Sufficiently strong temporary development or maturing faults or slow maturing good angulations aggressive, has much sharpness and exceptional hardness, mean spirited good good

5 Medium strong nobility and strength, harmonious and pleasing lines excellent conformation, harmonious, excellent lines zeven tempered, calm, can take corrections very well very good very good

6 Powerful robust, substantial good conformation, ample chest development even tempered, calm, can take corrections
5555/44

6547/33

6446/44

7 Low stationed soft ligaments and joints, obvious visible softness in one or both ears stretched body through long back even tempered, calm, sensitive towards corrections

8 Large/heavy spongy over-angulated even tempered, calm, indifferent, little sharpness

9 Coarse appearance of soft bones over-proportional, (combining 6-8 of above) no sharpness, little reaction, depressed, soft

Abbreviations:
Kör = breed surveyed, ZTP (Zucht- tauglichkeits-Prüfung) = breed suitability test, NZB (Nachzucht Bewertung = progeny evaluation, A true East German GSD has it's registration number tattooed on it's body

	1st digit: Size/Format	2st digit: Appearance	3st digit: Conformation	4st digit: Temperament	/	5st digit: Fighting instinct	6st digit: Hardness
0	Typeless	slinky, soft,fragile	cryptorchid	nervous, afraid, very shy		(fighting instinct and hardness are measured from 1 to 5 only)
1	W/o substance	lacking secondary sex characteristics	lacking in proportion, angulation, gait or chest faults	easily frightened, lacking courage or sensitive to sound		none	none
2	Slight	dentition faults, washed-out pigmentation	lacking forehand or backhand depth	unsure, frightened at times, may have sharpness, can be aroused/agitated easily		some	some
3	Leggy	deficient coat or weak foundation	standard angulations	distrustful or aggressive toward people (that famous DDR sharpness)		fair	fair
4	Sufficiently strong	temporary development or maturing faults or slow maturing	good angulations	aggressive, has much sharpness and exceptional hardness, mean spirited		good	good
5	Medium strong	nobility and strength, harmonious and pleasing lines	excellent conformation, harmonious, excellent lines	zeven tempered, calm, can take corrections very well		very good	very good
6	Powerful	robust, substantial	good conformation, ample chest development	even tempered, calm, can take corrections	5555/44 6547/33 6446/44
7	Low stationed	soft ligaments and joints, obvious visible softness in one or both ears	stretched body through long back	even tempered, calm, sensitive towards corrections
8	Large/heavy	spongy	over-angulated	even tempered, calm, indifferent, little sharpness
9	Coarse	appearance of soft bones	over-proportional, (combining 6-8 of above)	no sharpness, little reaction, depressed, soft