Roached backs - spread the religion!

This is a placeholder text
Group text

by Blitzen on 20 April 2007 - 13:04

SchHBabe,I'm also trying to find photos of some older top winning males with big stubby muzzles and too much stop. Do you know of any on this board? Thanks....

by LMH on 20 April 2007 - 14:04

I have questions about the roach-back, but fear with this intense animosity, they will never be answered. Before I turned 100% to W.G.Showlines, I never dealt with it personally--had AM Show, then AM Show/GERM working lines. Years ago didn't love the look--but, now I do have one that is roached. Slightly? hm..-can really tell when he sits--no missing that backbone. Am I despondent over it--HELL, NO. Took a while to get used to, and I used to wonder if he was in pain. (Laughed at that comment of yours, Blitzen). He never shows any sign of distress. I can compare the physical capabilities of both toplines--having both. But, my experience and knowledge is so limited that I would love to hear what breeders who have gone through all the fads or 'in' versions (remembering D.H.'s post) have to say. Alas...wishful thinking...they will never come here. Would any sane breeder want to subject themselves to ridicule? So with my limited knowledge (with only having 1 roach to judge), I will offer some observations. The roach boy--can run and jump better,--doesn't have as long a stride when trotting, but it is an acceptable trot. I can't offer opinions on how the spine will hold up and affect health issues as he ages. This is what I had hoped to have input on. At least half, if not more, of the Germ. dogs bred in the last 20 yrs have some form of roach---Obviously, there must be experts. Kind of silly insulting all these dog owners and breeders. But, actually, I'm sure they're not insulted. Just sighing......................So, how do I get this final question answered. Are the German breeders actively trying to eliminate the roach, AND if the answer is yes, is this because of health and structual problems, or because of outside pressure making roaches unpopular.

by wildstrobe on 23 July 2008 - 05:07

Dear SchHBabe,Thanks for starting a thought provoking topic.Its a truth that mother nature has not produced animals with roached back.It seems to be artificial. But anyone have the idea how do they made this banana back???

by wildstrobe on 23 July 2008 - 05:07

????

by skilaki on 23 July 2008 - 10:07

The roached back and over angulation is something I personally really dislike and part of the reason (temprement considerations aside) I turned to workline gsds. However, with all the comments on this board, and others, where the pet owners and general public comment, against the roach back, I am wondering whether this animosity towards the roach back is filtering throught to showline breeders and causing some to try to produce gsds with less exagerated backs/angulation. It would be encouraging to think so!

by july9000 on 23 July 2008 - 13:07

The roach backs have been there for quite a bit of time now. Maybe they got use to the look, like am. bred got use to the look of more angulated and extreme dogs. I personally don't think they breed to get the roach back but traits like roach or sort back is sometime hard to take out of your line. I even think that it is because the back were getting softer that they have bred to roach dog to improve the back..Didn't work very well..Breeders often go to extreme to try to correct bad things in their lines breeding a long dog to a very short one..soft back with roach etc..I don't think that is the way to go. I think we should always breed to more standard dogs regardless of what you have to improve.

What I have heard also is that they like the roach back for tracking..I don't thinkit helps the dog at all in any circomstances. IMO

by DesertRangers on 23 July 2008 - 13:07

I did some research on the Greyhouds and one item of interest is that the Greyhoud is considered a very healthy breed overall and also has a very low rate of HD. The most common breed problem they have is bloating.

No point just reading around.

by DesertRangers on 23 July 2008 - 13:07

No point just reading around.

by Jeckl8 on 23 July 2008 - 14:07

Roached Backs are only a myth http://www.schlossbuldern.de/webblog.html

by july9000 on 23 July 2008 - 14:07

You are right about the HD in greyhound..they don't have any (or almost nothing) because they we're bred to run..and If they didn't run as fast as others..they wouldn't breed them. The roach back is also for running. they can reach much more under the body and give a very powerful stride and then extend in the front...it is good for running, but not good for the trotting gait we want to see in a GSD

Contact information Disclaimer Privacy Statement Copyright Information Terms of Service Cookie policy ↑ Back to top

Roached backs - spread the religion! - Page 8

Pedigree Database