The SDG ( Sektion Dienst und Gebrauchhundewesen) was principally concerned with the registration and trialing of working dogs. Breeding was designed to provide dogs for the military, police, border patrol and customs. Breeding was aimed at producing temperament-filled dogs with strong character, good sharpness and drive. They sought to breed only healthy, useable dogs with strong builds that were free of genetic problems. Under the SDG no dog received his / her registration papers until being evaluated as a young adult at the Nachwuchs Beurteiling before the age of one year. The owners of bitches had to appear for evaluation at these evaluations with all of her progeny from that litter.
Dogs between one and two years old were evaluated at the ZTP (Zucht Tauchlichkeits Pruefung). Dogs over two years of age were evaluated at the Koerung. At evaluations the Wertmessziffern system was used to rate individual dogs using a six digit system. The first three digits dealt with the anatomy of the dog, while the last three digits related to the temperament and nervous system.
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. Below is a chart of the system itself and an example rating.
| first digit | second digit | third digit | fourth digit | fifth digit | sixth digit | |
| value | body type with respect to breed standard | constitution | build (structure) | temperament | sharpness | courage and hardness |
| 0 | little resemblance | delicate, weak, sensitive | cryptorchid | nervous, afraid, very shy | ||
| 1 | poor representative | deficient sexual characteristics | poor angulation | spooky, timid, noise-sensitive | none | none |
| 2 | too fine | poor pigment | faulty proportions | insecure, fearful at times, possibly sharp shy | some | some |
| 3 | too tall | faulty coat | average angulation | reserved, suspicious or aggressive | sufficient | sufficient |
| 4 | sufficent | maturing problems | good angulation | aggressive, sharp, hard, dangerous | good | good |
| 5 | average | ideal | excellent | relaxed, friendly, very hard when provoked | very good | very good |
| 6 | powerful | coarse, resilient | good angulation | relaxed, friendly, hard when provoked | ||
| 7 | short | weak ears | long body | relaxed, friendly, sensitive | ||
| 8 | heavy | soft | over-angulated | relaxed, friendly, indifferent | ||
| 9 | coarse | crippled | excess in any of the points 7-8 above | soft, indifferent, depressed |
Only dogs that passed rigorous evaluations were permitted to reproduce. This information was organized according to sires and dams and published periodically as a tool for breeders. This provided an exceptional tool for the improvement of the breed. Mainly service dogs developed.
We believe that the ideal dog would be one with a korung of 6654/55. This would be a dog that was powerful, robust and substantial, with excellent conformation and lines. The dog would be sharp and aggressive, exhibiting very good fight drive and hardness.
Cynology in the DDR can be traced predominantly through paternal bloodlines. These bloodlines are:
5A: This line descends from Alf v. Nordfelsen and is predominantly propagated by Don v. Rolandsteich and his descendants. This line is known for producing good conformation and movement; but can produce pigment, temperament and HD.
11A: This line originates from Rolf v. Osnabruecker Land and is continued predominantly through Bernd v. Lierberg and his descendants like Pushkass v. Haus Himpel and Olf v. Fuerstendamm. This line produces good temperaments and angulation; but can produce long backs, and weak bones and heads.
11B: This line descends from Ex v. Riedstern primarily through Cliff v. Bleichfleck. This line produces good stability, pigment, heads, and expression. The disadvantages of this line are testicle problems and apathy.
11C: This line originates from V Ali vom Gränert,V Barry vom Andershofer Ufe,V Drusus vom Falkenwappen,V Geier vom Baruther Land,Bodo v Winkel, Casar v Rangental, Lars v Furstendamm, Seigo v Angerholz...
Grand vd Ziegelwiese, Boy v Hohenwarthereck, Henk vd Moschel
11D: This line radiates from Ingo v. Rudingen leading to Held v. Ritterberg and Jeff v. Flaemings Sand through his sons Flint v. Steiglerhof, Birko v.d. Wolfshoehle, and most famous of all Lord v. Gleisdreieck. This line is known for producing sable dogs with strong aggression, but pigment can be a problem within this line.
11E: This line comes through 2x DDR seiger Condor v. Maderpfahl and radiates through Ohle v. Rundeck into the studs Fels v. Kemmlerblick and Zorro v. Laagerwall. This line like line 11D produces sable dogs with strong aggression, but pigment can be a problem within this line.
12: This line today descends primarily from Golf v. Ritterberg and his brother Grand v. Ritterberg. It is known for producing large typey heads and few testicle problems. It can produce dogs that are not easy to handle and HD.
13A: This line today persists primarily through the descendants Alf v. Koernersee. This line produces dogs that are lively, with good temperaments and character and few coat or testicle problems. Additionally they are intelligent, but can have large ears, teeth problems, and long backs.