A question about the croup - Page 1

Ok to some of you this question maybe stupid. But I have been wondering about this for awhile and 6thought that I would ask this. The butt or I guess it is the croup, why is that way? Do you have to teach the dog to stand like the way they do or is it just natural for them to stand like? The reason I ask is cause some of the older pictures of the dogs dont stand like they do now adays.

Upon intense research through books, and with experts on this subject, I was informed that; a 20 degree "croup" would be considered too FLAT (restricting rear drive) , if you measure from the palpable points, such as the "buttock bones" the dog sits on, to the crest of the ilium, the ideal for most breeds should be 30 degrees. Although the GSD’s can handle a little more pretty well; 45 degrees would be considered (steep) "over"- angulated. The stance or Stack of the Shepherd, some just stop and do it naturally or pretty close, some you must stand up and pose them. It is an unatural feeling to some that has never truly Stacked to show or be looked at, it is just the natural pose for the German Shepherd to Stack or Pose for People and in the Ring.

Do not confuse sloping croup and sloping topline. In GSD, croup SHOULD NOT be sloping. But a topline SHOULD be sloping and forming a SMOOTH line, without any bumps, deepenings, or angles. It should form a smooth ark.