Puppy stands on his hocks - Page 2

Hi Sanger,

I hope the best for you and your dog.
I have a young working line and my friend has a young showline and neither of the dogs look like yours.
I do not think it is normal, but my idea of normal might not be the same as other people.

Lee

Swimming is the best way @ this age to strengthen ligaments and add more muscle strength without stressing a young still growing frame.  Your walks could be more of a "powerwalk" than go out and sniff the roses.  10 minutes a couple tiimes a day, especially on natural surface (Grass, firm beach etc) would help without doing damage. going wandering is fun, and does well for your bonding, but not so much for exercise. 
  From the pics I'd keep an eye on it, but wouldn't panic at this point.

Once again, thanks for your advice. I don't really have access to a beach as we live in London. I am now letting him run around on the lawn in the evenings for 15-20 mins and also taking him from slightly longer walks, half of which is on grass again.

Hopefully, I should see a marked improvement in a couple of weeks and then he goes to stay with his breeder who will know exactly the amount of exercise he needs.

most show lines i see don't look normal

I too have a Zamp grandson and was worried about low hocks. My lad is now 22 months and very tall and the hocks are strong. I have built up the exercise gradually. The intention is to compete in working trrials. He tracks very strongly  and is now jumping the scale. We havent reached the full height yet.
So the message from me is, dont worry. Your dog is still young.

Thanks for the words of encouragment, Tangsd.

I cannot imagine why people breed dogs like that and then people have to worry if they will be normal.

GSDRULE,

I can tell you why a breeder would breed a dog this - bloodlines. The puppy I have purchased comes from some of the best show lines originating in Germany. There are 9 champions in his 4 generation pedigree; and that does not include his sire who is only one CC away from becoming a champion.

Nearly all the dogs (males and females) in his six generation pedigree are V rated, at least 10 are VA1. Everyone apart from his mother are titled; mostly SchH3 level. There are a few IPO3s in there too.

Therefore, I don't think breeding is the issue here. The issue was that a veterinary nurse, who probably has only seen dogs from back yard breeders and know sod all about show line GSDs, scared me into thinking that there is something wrong with the way he stands. Also, I waited quite some time for this pup to arrive and was concerned that after the wait I have ended up with a dud. It would seem that is not the case and I just have to be patient and let him mature a little and develop his muscles.

This is not the first GSD I have had, but the others were not show line - as mentioned earlier. My last one was from old English working lines and had a much straighter back in terms of his hocks were a lot more upright. I wanted to go for a German show line dog this time.

I have had some very encouraging feedback from people on here both on this thread and via the PM box. I really appreciate those people that have been objective in their answers and am taking that advice on board.

Thanks

Sangar