Serious Question... - Page 1

This is a direct quote from the SV standard concerning the GSD's back:

The over-line proceeds from the neck, continuing over the high, long withers and over the straight back through the slightly sloping croup without abrupt change.

OK. So why is there all this discussion about "banana backs" versus "working lines"?  Obviously, the dogs at the Seiger shows, which demonstrate obvious abnormalities starting right behind the withers, do not meet the above standard.  So how can any judge who considers himself/herself a true breed steward put up an animal without a straight back and SLIGHTLY sloping CROUP?  Is this question ever asked of them? 

When did this change from following the standard and placing dogs with correct STRAIGHT backs come about? Was it because of one famous (yet deformed) dog?  

What is the appeal? Why thehigh prices? The dogs look deformed, something like hyenaes (sp?) and obviously an animal which walks on its hocks could never work as a herding dog all day.

So, is this a question which any true breed lovers have brought up to those who place these dogs as "breed worthy?"

showshepherds4me.i for 1 concur with yu.i was about to say the same.it is the way the animals are stacked (some handlers should be shot)that gives a totally untrue picture of the animals.try to watch these animals outside of the ring or even walking about the showground in a calm,collective manner.i,m sure yu will notice a difference.i believe it,s the training to pull excessively into the collar and all this frantic double handling that gives the impression that all of the international type is roached,banana backed.i prefer to show my bitches under judges who go for the old way of showing,although she is mainly of german breeding.this is the reason IMO.that we are now in this mess with the KC,but am not on the side of the KC,as they refuse to even listen to wot we as a breed have to say on health and other issues.Carole S.

showshepherds4me,

Excellent post

Ibrahim

I don't know anything about correct conformation, nor do I wish to. However I did find this site to be very informative, and interesting.
http://www.asuperiorgsd.com/p2p.html?seenIEPage=1

Rugers Guru,

That is an excellent site really, great info
I add: 1959 champ has a slightly sagging back (looks like the middle of the back is lower than the loin, beginning of the croup).

Ibrahim

Take a look at the running dogs at any seiger type show. Not stacked, running.  If you can call their back "straight" (as per the standard above) well, then, the eye of the beholder needs glasses!

No problem. I asked a simple question. The standard says STRAIGHT BACK and the dogs being placed do not meet this requirement.

I find it interesting that ss4m continually refers to the "high price" of the dogs?  Who cares?  Labradoodles can go for a lot of money.  And big blue Am staffs called pit bulls that are very incorrect to the standard sell for much more than correct pit bulls. So called "Gladiator" Dobes (not such thing, actually) command a higher price than  well bred dobermans. The list goes on.  I think PRICE is about the last thing a true breed lover worries about.

    

You asked why the high prices, so I told you.

Well bred, PURE bred, dogs cost more. Fact of life. All I meant is that if you want a good well bred GSD for a pet or even club trials, you would not pay the same price you would a for a competitive show dog. There are many really good breeders who breed solid temperment GSDs that have good conformation, but are not going to win the big shows. Period. I doubt any show line dogs would meet your lofty standards.  Again, educate yourself about the breed instead of just repeating the same negative descriptions again and again. People like you who whine about the poor poor show lines with cow hocks and deformities (waaaaa waaaaa waaaa) and talk about the breed standards going to hell, need to educate themselves to prevent sounding ignorant.