I owned and did some showing of a German Shepherd from Germany. The Americans have RUINED the breed. The desire for an angular back has created a breed of freaks with hindquarters fit for a chihuahua.
Americans should stop breeding GS completely and reintroduce normal stock from Germany and other countries.
It is a sin and a crime what we have done here.
There are a large number of American Shepherds here in Florida that all have very high, very strong hips.
Nah, they aren't show quality, but who cares, they are wonderful.
This is my Shepherd, Isis, and her little buddy Spirit.
Sorry for the screwy resolution, had to size the photo down quite a bit.
Need to get rid of backyard breeders in the southern California area. What they are doing is pitiful.
German Shepherd Rescue of Orange County has over 80 available, most originating from backyard breeders.
http://www.gsroc.org/available-dogs/
Coastal and Westside German Shepherd Rescues have similar amount of dogs available. And there are probably another 100 who are adoptable in the area animal shelters.
The good news is that we are seeing fewer dogs with hip dysplasia. The bad news there are a lot of dogs needing care due to owner neglect.
Most of the working dogs are now Czech or East/West German old stock. The angular back thing makes them look crippled when they run, and eventually they are.
That’s why I have a Malinois now, after my last Czech German Shepherd passed.
Explain this European bred dog, then. There is sin and crime, but in no way is it all at the hands of our breeders. American bred GSD's do not look like this. This malformation is from European breeders.
We have a Sheppard mix who is only 45 lbs. she looks like a Sheppard but does not have the weak rear hips. Health and trouble free at 10. Can’t stand to see the America Sheppard freaks. The AKC is to blame.
There is no normal “respectable” GS line anymore. It is German show lines which created roach backs claiming they make the gait better. BS. Roachbacks are for GALLOPING dogs, greyhounds. Not trotting dogs like shepherds.
American show are overangulated and long-legged, dragging hocks on the ground. But Germans have done alot wrong, too. They are overbuilt, with bear heads, while American have long wimpy noses. They also have massive allergy problems, the Germans. Trust me, I know.
The “working” lines look good but may be overaggressive. My last dog, gorgeous in type but poor in temperament and TERRIBLE in allergies and hips, was 100% German, part show and work. The greatest dog ever? Half of American and German type, probably not the “best” American, either.
I’m looking for BYB farm dogs next time.