The Evolution Of The Topline In The GSD - Page 5

Marci, if a GSD doesn't walk naturally into an attractive show stance, it is not constructed optimally.  Take V1 Shotaan Alfons above.  This appears to be a natural pose.  This dog is built true to the standard. The main points of my posts in this subject line is:  that a long back can stabilize a GSD with very faulty movement, making it appear a much better mover than it is (esp. if it has long lower rear thigh and is sickle hocked), but at a great cost;  and that a highly roachy (arched upward) back transmits power curvilinearly downward to the front, causing rump rollup and very faulty movement; and any back issue including a weak back reduces the efficiency and enduarnce of the GSD and it's working ability.  What we want to see in the GSD is a short, strong back and styraight linear transmission of rear drive from the croup at a slight upward angle, permitting maximum efficiency of movement forward while allowing enough lift for full suspension.

I'm glad you like her, Preston. BTW, you do realize she's half American showlines? Yes, there's a few good ones out there still  I'm hoping to see more American breeders making use of German blood in the future, to improve soundness and temperment.  Okay, maybe I'm dreaming, but there are some hopeful signs: the dog that took best of opposite sex at Westminister this year is a grandson of Jim v. Fiemereck!

When comparing my bitch to Stephanitz's dogs, she's sure got the mischief part down pat!    I am hoping once spring comes, and we're able to get out more, she'll work off her energy, and  won't get into quite so much trouble, but in the meanwhile, she has to go in her crate every time I leave the house. The dogsitter left her out while I was away for a few days recently, and boy, did I come home to a mess!  I had to put her outside for a bit until I calmed down.  Lucky for her she's so sweet natured: she plunks herself in my lap, and begs to be petted, gives me kisses in return, and all is forgiven!

Preston... the back consists of the vertebrae on top of the rib-cage past the withers then upto the vertebrae of the loins (pelvis not included...thats the croup right.???) I noticed that the curvation of the backbones in the MIDDLE between the rib-cage and the loin being the highest peak... ribs^loin.... and the loin vertebra slopes downward toward the pelvis making the croup's leverage longer than the withers (considering the back as the fulcrum...) I noticed the rib-cage-topline sloping FORWARD ( then connects to the withers) and the Loin area sloping towards the rear...  So when you have the rear Paws directly below the pelvis... the HUMP ( joint between the rib-cage and Loin area) shows and  the UNLEVEL Short Back...  The Back is level only when the rear legs are towards the rear and not directly below the pelvice...  This is common also in Belgian Mals... I am currently looking for a good one that I could apply the Conformation and engineering of the GSD...  But anyways...  You still must look for a level back when the dog is running OFF-leash... 

This line came from Blitzen... while I was reading from some of the previous threads...

The sighthounds do want a slight arch beginning in the loin area never just behind the withers as seen in some GSD's.

Is this the same BREAK in the topline I'm seing in modern GSD's ( rib-cage^loin area ).  ???

And then...when the paws are directly below the pelvis this "break" is accentuated.. In movement or when the rear legs are stacked... the shortback become level to the ground...

Speaknow, unfortunately curly questions often get curly answers... but in this case the reply does strike as being reasonable.

AandA

Glad to be back... Checking on the recent posts in the ***messageboard***  I stumbled upon this dog that  visualized what I am asking from Blitzen about the UNLEVEL TOPLINE...

The dogs name is Hill v. Pannonia Wolf...  ANY IDEAS about this MODERN GERMAN Topline.???  What lines contribute to it.??? I know for sure the Rickor Badboll line has this type of back line...

I'm just happy to be back and browse again very important knowledge gained from GSD enthusiasts...

MARCI

Ah, yes, that dog is in my Uglydog picture file already.... I'd like to hear others comment on his structure. If you check his pedigree, there are some very nice dogs there, including Kevin v. Murtal. His sire has a rather ugly looking topline, too, but most of the other dogs in his pedigree have nearly level backs.

The picture on file with his pedigree doesn't make him look quite as bad as that photo does.

I do not like that dog at all he is roach backed and over angulated to steep on the croup

Actually, the upper arm is short and steeply angulated, while the back is overangulated. I hate to think what the poor beast must look like when he's moving!  His front end looks far too heavy for his back end to drive forward.