Over-Angulation, or Poor Structure? - Page 1

Check out this dog I saw on an ad here today

www.pedigreedatabase.com/gsd/pedigree/572929.html

This is something I don't think I'd want to see in my dog.  The poor thing looks like it's going to collapse, or he's going to sit down and keep his feet behind him. Opinions?

Crys

This dog looks like he'd be right at home at Covy-Tucker Hills...

Sorry to disagree but I like this puppy at this stage. Yes he does have a lot of growing to do but I would wait and see.

To each his own.

Perhaps you may care to observe the gap between the rear paws, and then, with brain engaged, consider it is far to wide. Then imagine, if possible, the gap between the rear paws narrowed to approximately half of what it actually is. You will then see a much more natural and acceptable stance for this puppy. The HUMAN factor has overly distorted this dogs overline and overstretched its hindquarters. It is essential, when looking at a posed GSD to make an attempt to understand how the pose has been formed. It is unacceptable to simply look at the shape presented and simply condemn the dog. The handler is usually the root cause of any distortions. It is also wise to remember that a photo is but a fraction of a second caught on camera, and rarely gives the whole and accurate image of a dog.

All things put aside, I would be ashamed of owning a pup that wont be able to walk straight with compensating for the abnormal assembly of his rear! Again, Im happy that Ill be getting a WL! So long, pathetic showlines!

Certainly over-handling does accentuate the topline slope and rear hindagles but IMHO there's no way this pup would have normal construction ie straight back, slightly sloping topline and ~23 degree croup in a natural unposed position or free movement.

Just because a dog is angulated does NOT mean it cannot walk straight.  There are so many other factors, from hips to the strength and placement of the stifle, the hock....to say a topline alone makes a dog walk crooked shows one's ignorance of how the GSD body works in motion. Many puppies go through stages. It's been said a thousand times, you CANNOT judge a dog, especially a puppy, by one photo. The pup has stunning type, I think he deserves to mature before he crucified online by 1 photo.