Straight or slooping

The original Alsation was a dog who was study and had a straight back, which sloped slightly off over the rear legs.

This went on untill around the mid 80`s when the shape of the dogs back started to slope extremely sharp, untill we have reached the stage, where show dogs are now called by many `frogs` and the Kennel club standard encourages this extreme slopeing back.

We have all seen many, many photos on this forum, but I have yet to see what to the Kennel club at least is calling a `good` shaped Sheperd.

I have to say I hate the look of the modern dog, and I am pleased that at least that shape has been to the greater extent kept in the show ring, it is no wonder that some dogs get bad hips

Curious as to others views

Stuart

[DelsMum]

Straight backed everytime for me!

[Tookey]

Straight!!!

Stuart this is a subject that gets me going! It really 'grinds my gears' that there are people out there who breed dogs that are IMO deformed! I love the good old fashioned straight backed, sturdy looking, wolf-like shepherd.

[Poly]

As long as the shape is not exagerated then Im happy...What I dont like is roached backs and cow hocks....

Straight for me

[Beki]

Originally Posted by Poly

As long as the shape is not exagerated then Im happy...What I dont like is roached backs and cow hocks....

me too, this is y i couldnt cope at crufts

This is what made me think about this thread, someone was asking a while ago who was going to Crufts.

I would love to go, but I would want to see the Shepherds, but I know that if that happened I would end up feeling very sad for the breed,...and I dont want that

Stuart

[super D]

Kane is very straight backed, Dalton has a straight back but slopes down to his bum ever so slighty
xx

[joyce]

Hi Stuart
{where show dogs are now called by many `frogs}
This is a very controversial topic, The backs look more sloping on some due to excessive hind angulations, long hocks etc which has nothing to do with hips, extremes in any dog are not desirable.
The KC standard does not encourage extremes at all, they are totally against any extremes in the modern dog.
The modern GSD are some of the healthiest dogs regarding hips etc, but YOU will get exceptions.

I have always gone for what i have known as the English german shepherds ie table top flat back , no slope or very little slope to the hind legs and a wide short head /muzzle.
I agree with comments made earlier, I do not think the KC are doing their bit for promoting or encouraging good breeding standards. (i dont think thats just in gsd's either!!)
How low to the floor does a dogs back end have to get before its called deformed???