There are very few dedicated breeders in the world who concentrate on DDR German Shepherds At Vom Banach K9, we pride ourselves on working with these wonderful animals. But you may be wondering, what does DDR German Shepherd stand for?
Let’s dive into the history of this breed and its name to find out.
What Does DDR German Shepherd Stand For?
Strict breeding criteria were put in place by the East German Communist Party, and breed wardens aggressively culled dogs with any sign of hip dysplasia or weak temperament. DDR dogs were bred for power and athleticism, with straight toplines and large, strong heads.
Breed wardens inspected every litter for proper dentition, temperament, bone structure, ear set, coat quality, and total overall appearance. Males with undescended testicles were culled.
Comparison Of DDR German Shepherds to West German German Shepherds
While West German dogs were tested over five-foot angled walls, East German dogs were required to scale straight six-foot walls. West German dogs searched six blinds, DDR dogs searched ten blinds. West German tracking tests included eight corners and angles, DDR tracking tests included 16. The DDR German Shepherds were bred to endure harsh weather conditions and long, arduous patrols.
Original DDR German Shepherd Duties
As part of the Grenzschutz Polizei (Border Police), DDR dogs were put to work actively guarding the 850 miles long East German border and the 100 mile-long Berlin wall. The DDR border patrol dogs served as sentries, tracking dogs, and attack dogs. Special units were formed to track deserters over large expanses of countryside.