Stupid stacks... - Page 1

Just tired of seeing otherwise good-looking dogs in the "knee-on-back" stack.

Many of the people buying *working* dogs don't want dogs who look like they have banana backs or frog legs--so it would seem particularly pointless to consistently stack dogs this way. I've had so many people say to me, "I'm so glad your dogs don't have that weird slanting back"--well, many other GSDs don't either--but we persist in posing them to exaggerate the height of the croup withers [edited: FIXED!] and the lowness of the hips.





The new habit of stacking working dogs with their hind feet spread and the handler's knee on their back has actually gotten really counterproductive. It makes the dog look very high withered, but it makes it near impossible to fairly assess the dog's conformation, croup, and strength of back.



Christine
blackthornkennel.com

I totally agree.  I have stated my opinion on this before.  The stack is stupid.
Let the dog stand normally and judge how it compares to the standard.

BlackthornGSD said " exaggerate the height of the croup ".

I'm guessing you meant to say "height of the wither". Where the hips go so go the croup.

Best,
Rik

This is an exaggerated stack seen on Czech dogs. But this is how they do it. Personally, I don't care for it either and much prefer a stack much closer to normal. Dogs with proper structure often simply stack themselves and no effort on the part of the handler is needed except to slightly tweek it.

I'm guessing you meant to say "height of the wither". Where the hips go so go the croup.

Oops! You're right

Hodie--it's not how it's done everywhere, and it's rather a new trend (last 5 years or so). If the "target audience" points out that it's counterproductive, maybe we can change it. Kinda like the uproar about the "crippled" GSD at Crufts--we'd do better to publicize the breed's soundness than to exaggerate the angulation.

*shrug*

Just had to bitch about it. :D

This is how the Czechs stack their dogs. It is not how dogs are stacked in the U.S., unless the person doing it is from the Czech Republic. In any case, though we don't care for the exaggeration,  I doubt that they will change it. I don't think it matters. How the dog is stacked is one thing, and a good eye can still ascertain the structure and just watching the dog coming and going is enough. On the other hand, many of the dogs shown in the AKC shows in the U.S. and at Crufts who are structural anomalies are something altogether different and publicize the lack of soundness.

The GSD word is very large and diverse. I know working folks who give a crap less what the photo looks like (if the dog makes it to the sleeve, it's good conformation)  and show people who care less about temperament and character as long as type and side gait  are good.

People in different nations are going to do what works and is popular in their country.  It is pretty narrow minded to criticize 
the world because it is not what you approve of in your part of the universe. 

In the end, it's the dog and not the hype (and photo) that determines the worth. Honestly, I do not understand folks who expect everyone in the world to conform to their interpretation of what the GSD should be.

JMHO,
Rik

hello folks.my name,s Carole and i hail from south east england and i have show line shepherds.will probably get slagged for wot i,m about to say but i have to agree with you.the way some handlers stack their charges does give the wrong impression of their charges.that and the way the training for the showring over here IMHO,distorts the topline and give rise to wot looks like unsoundness,which when the animal is exercised off lead,the animal is sound as a bell.over here they are trained to pull heavily into the collars and they run them so fast,is it a wonder they start to gallop.as for our crufts B.O.B.,believe me HE IS AS SOUND AS A BELL.i was right there as the judge was sending both him and hotei(2nd placed male)going away and both of lagos,s hocks(bob)were dead straight as i was straight in front of them.i also made a comment on a thread on here with regard to the cc winning bitch,who i have always liked as she is of similar type(imo)to my own bitch.in her class she was stacked perfectly and in the challenge for best bitch,BUT in the challenge for best of breed i wanted to go in the ring and shake the handler(sorry)as she had bunched her up,making her look short and roach(banana backed)my own bitch can be made to look roached,but believe me she isnt.she has won under all types of judges apart from the ones who prefer the alsatian.i agree with that picture,in my view he has been very over stretched.the hind leg has been pulled out too far.i,m surprised he hasnt corrected the stance himself.Carole.