Breed Standard Changes in UK (GSD and non-GSD) - Page 13

the back starts at the end of the withers not at the start of the wither  so if you drtaw your line from the end of the wither ie the start of the back then it will show a different picture
jim h

OK how about this then?

 

OK, OK one last try ! Hows about moving from those fishy examples to that of humans, maybe you will more understand the context and actually this time (believe it or not) I am being a little more serious. Pod et others, please take a look at yourself in your normal relaxed stance (albeit upright on two legs) do you agree you have a straight back (ignoring pertruding shoulder blades which is where your withers would be in the case of the dog), yet if you were to crouch down into starting block position (as is a gsd in show stance, in its alert starting block position) do you also agree you could be portrayed as having a 'Roached back' ? (please see example photo below)

If however you got on all fours without bending your knee's (as a shepherd would be stood relaxed standing four square) are you back to seeing your straight (level if you must) back? Unless you have some spinal problems I expect your answer to this and the first question to be Yes your back is straight. Therefore, does this mean that when you get down into the starting blocks you would accept people describing you as a Roached Back person, of course not because that would not be a true description of you, you are NOT ACTUALLY roached back, you only appear that way in your starting block position. NOW DO YOU ALL SEE HOW FUTILE THIS ARGUMENT IS WHEN YOU START COMPARING THE BACKS OF SHEPHERDS FROM THEIR ALERT, SHOW STANCE POSITIONS? Whether you do or not is irrellevent on this example I REST MY CASE AS POINT PROVED.

Best Regards
Sue B

you line does not stop at start of croup
jim h

There's quite a good illustration here to show anatomy -

http://www.josellkorgsd.co.uk/page4.htm

Sue, I think you've missed what the definiton of a roach back is....it's a  convex curve between withers and croup.

pod  you will need to draw your line from end of point 2 to the start of point 6 on the illustration you showed on the pic of tiggi
jim h

"you line does not stop at start of croup"

No Jim it doesn't, it carries on into mid air.  And yes, thats what I have done.  If you see it differently, please show it yourself.

yes but it is not at the start of her croup to get it true the line must go through at the start of her croup
jim h