Looking for GSD w/ Very Little to No Angulation - Page 1

We are in the market for a GSD with very little to no angulation. We are leaning toward the German lines w/ red and black markings. An American GSD would potentially be of interest, but we can't seem to find any (of any line) that focus on minimizing angulation. We are not interested in oversized Shiloh Shepherds. Maryland breeders are preferred (for proximity), but we are willing to travel a reasonable distance within the U.S. if we can find just the right colorings, temperment, and angulation factor.

We have read many message postings here discussing the history of the breed and how angulation became popular. We don't care for that characteristic and would enjoy your help if you know of any breeders who fit this bill. Thanks for your thoughts!

How do you define angulation?

As a "hock walker"....the GSD we are looking for would have a straight back, as opposed to the "dragging" hindquarters that are considered a standard by the AKC.

if your looking for sraight back then go to www.puppiesandpaint.com and also  go to puppyfind.com youll find what your looking for. if i was you stay with german imoprt , do you know alot about this breed? well not my biss to ask alot questions any way good luck ,do your home work first before buying anything from anyone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! good luck giggles

GSDs with no angulation are typically displastic.  A dog of correct angulation when extended for a stacked photo does show angulation through the back.  Angulation through the hock is a hidious site in my opinion.  I'm not up for hock walking either.  That is what I see from most American show lines.  It is possible to get less angulation with German dogs, typically from working line dogs.  If you come to my house and watch my dogs you would think them all to have straight backs.  If I stack them for photos you would see angulation.  You don't necessarily have to get a PhD in dog anatomy to buy a pet GSD, but one should educate themselves to know good from bad.  Beware the GSD with no angulation...

Friendly advice...

trafalgar said it all.  good advice!

pjp

All your advice is much appreciated. Thank you for clarifying the details and issues relating to the angulation factor, including dysplastic aspects of those with "no" angulation. We would have thought the opposite and while we have done a lot of research this is the first time we are hearing this; great to know. We have a few breeders we have met at shows and on this message board. While online photos can be deceiving because of posed stances, getting out there and seeing the GSDs is what we are finding most important at this stage in our research and purchasing process. Again, many thanks.

By extreme angulation do you mean the really sloping topline? How does the roached back fit into the picture?  So are the German working lines more "sloping " than the  American show lines? It seems that the amount of slope in the top line is much more than it was many years ago (over  20 yrs ago), or am I mistaken? If someone could post pictures to illustrate the differences I sure would appreciate being educated  in this matter!

LBS,

If you'd like to see how the GSD breed has changed over the years you need look no further than this web site.  On the home page of this pedigree database is a list of historical VA dogs - dogs, both male and female, that have won top placement in the Sieger shows (German dog shows, as opposed to AKC, etc.).  You can see pictures from around 1900 through the present.  The breed clearly has changed over the years, and the debate is fierce over the merits, or lack thereof, of the changes.