GSD back legs - Page 1

I've been looking at German Shepherd dogs and I'm seeing that even working line German Shepherds have a sloping back and their rear legs are usually behind their rear. But looking at the earlier generations of German Shepherd, especially before the fifties, the dogs had a horizontal back and upright rear legs, identical to a wolf.

So is this sloping back, and legs not upright now an unavoidable trait? And is it good?

http://s30.postimg.org/k86343l69/Capture.jpg

Please keep any comments civil thank you.

Look at the way the dogs are standing, it will make the back look more sloped or straight.

Vision youself on the floor on your hands and knees with you legs pulled up so you are straight your back may also appear straight. Now extend you legs back and your back will have a slope in it same as the dogs. This is also true with horses, or any animal stacked with the back legs extended.

The older style picture the dog does not have a straight back it dips showing a weak back problem.

Thanks Western, yeah I did think it might just be the way they are photographed, but I'm not certain if it really is, there seems to be a pattern even when I look at random photos of more recent dogs vs older generations.

Anyway, with hind legs, if I'm looking for a capable GSD, which should I look for? Any tips? I'm not sure yet if I'm going for a pup or a mature dog though.

I always look for the best angled and longest croup then a broad strong thigh strong hock and from the top of the hock to ground straight bone ending in a tight foot.

This is just looking at the rear structure.

90% of "over-angulation" in working lines is due to an exaggerated stack.

 

Jenni, can you explain what you mean. I've just Googled what stack means and it's positioning the dog for a photo, suggesting that what I'm seeing is just the dogs being put in position to be photographed?

Westem, the feature you look for, is that what's healthy or is that what's desired by the show people?

Sorry I missed this, Kobi, but since you emailed me I guess we're ok. 

Jen, thank you, your email support and patience in answering all my questions about GSDs has been invaluable. I feel I know what I'm doing now.

Thank you VERY much !!!