"Thick-boned" and "large bones", in GSDs

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by vfg on 05 February 2011 - 02:02

Regarding dogs for sale or stud dogs, Iam reading many ads with words like "thick boned" or "large bones" etc.meaning "big" "heavy" or "large"; and implying that this is a desirable characteristic.

What kind of GSD are we looking for? Have we forgotten that for either "show" or "working" lines we want dogs that can move and actually work with stamina and resistance?

Have you ever seen a "large boned" (or "thick-bone") person wining a marathon? Germans fell to this fad and, because they catered to demand and not to the standard, they bred, prized and marketed dogs that could hardly carry their own weight!!! Now they have reversed track and in this reversal they are sending "ausland" their excess supply of giants.

by Jenni78 on 05 February 2011 - 02:02

In case you haven't noticed, we have an overabundance of scrawny, coyote-looking dogs w/terrible pigment and even worse structure, as well as poor bone structure and size. The GSD should be a sturdy, versatile creature, IMO. I have no idea where you get the idea that a heavy boned dog can't work.

"Big boned" in a dog means just that. "Big boned" for a person is a nice way of saying "fat."

I have xrays (hips) showing the difference between good, heavy bone and average/light bone. While I don't think smaller bones are a health problem, I don't prefer them, and to think heavy bones hinder the dog in some way is a bit far-fetched.

by Red Sable on 05 February 2011 - 03:02

I like a lot of bone too. I have a well boned dog, and this dog is VERY agile.

I think structure is more important an issue when it comes to workability than bone.

by Don Corleone on 05 February 2011 - 03:02

I like how the purdy ladies flock to the big bone thread.

by crhuerta on 05 February 2011 - 03:02

..it just goes to show that....."~~size~~ strength does matter"....

by Jenni78 on 05 February 2011 - 04:02

Yes on all of the above!! LOL

by Don Corleone on 05 February 2011 - 04:02

Robin, you dirty little showdog, you!

by Mike Johnson on 05 February 2011 - 05:02

Feel free to disagree, but the Czech lines that are KNOWN FOR WORK and in such high demand are usually short, heavy boned GSD's. At least that is my experience.

by vfg on 05 February 2011 - 20:02

It seems that few breeders know who Max Stephanitz was and fewer have read him; but if you are curious read what he has to say about size.

A Myke Tyson type of dog would probably be "scary" and provide pride to the owner, but if it had to work with real cattle it would be worthless.

People like what they like and rightly so, but the dinamics of gait has nothing to do with taste.

by Jenni78 on 05 February 2011 - 20:02

VFG, you have no idea what you're talking about, apparently, and even less of an idea who you're talking to. I assure you, everyone who responded to your post is quite familiar with the subject.

"dinamics (dynamics) of gait"..............lol. Isn't that what the ASS breeders use to justify crippling dogs by selective breeding?

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