Definition of a "roach" - Page 3

Geez, SitasMom, that hurts way down low. And that is pretty much my def of a roach.

Rik

Roach backed is a medical condition, that causes many bad things, including decreased lung capacity, not enough space for liver, stomach, etc.

What people have been claiming as "roached" is not really roached...........the above photo is a true "roached" puppy. The curvature of his spine keeps him from doing what normal dogs can do.

He isn't my pup, and I pray he grows out of it........

Be careful who you learn them from GSLover.  Don't take someones opinion as gospel.

Sitasmom, I can't say I find the dog in the flying trot photo attractive at all.  The dog appears goose necked, back seems soft, there is something distincly odd about the development of the brisket, height to length looks disproportionate, the dog's hock is clearly touching the ground, and the angle at which he is able to bend his front leg back, I bet he has some very angled pasterns. I don't  see a roach, but certainly not my cup of tea.

As for that other pup, I feel so bad for the way his owner was treated on this board and I hope he and the pup are doing well.  I'd like to see pictures of him now.

KCzaja
I agree with you completely on both counts.

The trotting dog is "bananna backed" to me - the opposite of roach backed..........

I've seen some crazy stages the puppies go through and wonder if they will stay that way, thank God, many times they grow out of it.  As with this puppy, I tryly hope the puppy grew out of it, and is healthy and happy now.

the first photo is Laurs v. Batu, top dog in 2004 & 2004 http://www.pedigreedatabase.com/gsd/siegershow_winners.html

i was looking for examples of different types of dogs to use in the discussion for examples.......

people seem to be a bit to critical of dogs.........until they see the real thing......

Hi ,

I know this tread is about the roach back  and Larus Batu is a sieger.
So please do not start jumping on me.

SitasMom,thank you for posting the first photo.

Please  all look at the fantastic upper arm , it is very clear
in the photo.  Even the lay of the  croup is correct..

I would not worry if the back line was slighty roached,
as long as it straitens out at full streatch.  The  important
thing is the withers must be higher than the highest point  of the back,
the back proper must be short ,level and strong , with a croup of correct lay first
and if possible  with good length. Now we  want  the different parts to join each
other in a smooth line. I would prefer a slighty convex curve ,
for when it comes to conditioning and exercising, a dog with a slight roach
(from the base of the neck to the end of the croup ) will retain it's backline
and condition very much longer.
This will also help to  better transmit the power from the back to the
forehand, with minimum loss of energy.

KCzaja
I would define a roach back as ,any (convex ) upward curvature of the backline or any
part of the backline, then again we must be very clear of what the back line is and the
extend of the roach.

 Low withers , a weak back ,a steep and short  croup , would cause a loss of energy
and as such is not desireable.

 Sitasmom Thanks again.

Sitasmom, Nike-Clayfield Andretti! he was a moving machine. unfortunately he is also the main reason for DNA with AKC now too.


His owner was the reason.  The dog is innocent I tell ya, innocent!    :)

The definition of a "roached" dog is.......when the loin (middle back piece) is higher than the wither & croup.
Remember, the highest point of the dog should always be the wither.