Gsd with 'curved' spine? Controversial

I was using 'heads' as an example, there really is no need to be so defensive when discussing things, this is a forum ;-)

I`ve just been scanning in some old photos and found this of a passed-away bitch from german / english parentage - she has the heavy build of the English - but would you call this a sloping back?

The angle of the photo makes it diffcult to say. I'm almost disinclined to air an opinion. I'm almost AFRAID to air an opinion.

I have been advised by respected breeders that angulation of the sort shown by the Shepherd at Crufts is NO indication of a problem with either hips or spine and straight backed dogs are certainly not immune to these problems.

If a dog has a sloping back, it has been inherited as a trait and is not a sign of a physical problem I am told.

I still wonder about the mechanics of weight thrown back towards the lower spine and hips in a dog of this shape. Apparently my reservations are groundless.

Then again, if anyone bred dogs with this shape and liked the appearance of it, wouldn't they then want to breed from dogs with good hips scores? I cannot argue with this sort of reasoning and I admire the care that responsible breeders put into choosing lines from which to breed.

I accept the advice of those with far broader knowledge than I BUT I do have an opinion as to whether or not I like this apprearance, as does anyone ~ and I do not like it at all.

I have a Shepherd considered to be "incorrect".

He is long coated. He is pale coloured. He is flat backed.

He is admired by everyone who meets him for his gentle personality and his good looks.....well, nearly everyone likes him.....everyone those who like show ring looks who think everything about him is wrong ~ back, coat, colour.....just as well he is nicer to these few ( thank goodness they are FEW! ) than they are about him!

But then, he is a DOG!

He was not a rescue, but his start in life was less than ideal. I couldn't leave him where he was.

I don't like the sloping stance or movement of the modern GSD and far prefer the "old" type, but cannot fail to be impressed by how responsible breeders have been careful to try to eradicate health problems in the breed.

Looks can be deceiving apparently.

I won't be changing my mind about the look I prefer though, but some well informed advocates of the modern Shepherd have made me determined that in future, I would vet potential "sellers" to make sure their "flat backs" came from lines which had the sort of hip scores that indicated careful selection and responsible practices in the pursuit of producing a dog as healthy as he was handsome.

At the end of the day, health is the most important issue in a dog.

~Cate & Alf

Well said Willow. After all beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but all breeders should make sure they do all the health checks relevent to their breed whatever type they like.