"They also even when they trot look as if the butt is plowing the ground."
That's what I was trying to say. That's they way they look.
My old SHepherd back in the 60's didn't look like that at all. It makes them look like their rear end is about to collapse.
Check out the Shiloh Shepherd. They have the body shape of the old German shepherds but are oversized.
I think what you are saying about the European Shepherds is they tend to be very "sharp" in temperment. I know a lot of law-enformcent agencies prefer them to American strains.
But I liked the old Shepherd of years ago.
I mean the GERMAN dogs are the 1s plowing the ground, especially, with their non-GS roach backs.
There's a discussion about King/Shiloh shepherds on the Euro forum today. People hate them if only because they're so big (and all kinds of claims of out-crossing to non GS breeds abound - no consistency, though, so I think they're lies). I agree that some Shilohs look better, more normal - but OTOH, they are too boxy and big-boned; no wonder people think Great Pyrs, St. Bernies or some other giant dog was added in.
Many German "working" lines are perfect in conformation. My own dog is an example (IMHO ;-)). Pity she is a submissive anxious wimp, and also allergy-ridden to boot. She is a beautiful GS, the way they should be. But her character and health is poor.
I don't mean "sharp"; I mean what most Euro's think is good temperament is over the top. GS were meant to be SHEPHERDS originally and they should not be SO prey-driven that they would KILL the sheep! My own dog is very prey-mad and I fear she will kill somebody's cat - she has killed wild animals out of sheer stupidity before. She thinks they're wonderful moving toys and shakes them to death (never mind she is obsessed when she sees a small animal and would make a bee-line to it). Then wonders why they aren't moving any more.
I can't help but fear many of the Euro dogs (esp. the "working" 1s) would rip apart a sheep just because they love to go and "catch". It's good to have drive, but I think it's way overdone with so much emphasis on the Schutzhund "sport", particularly "protection" (the other parts - obedience, tracking - never seem to matter, if you observe discussion, ads, etc). All anyone ever talks about is protection/attack training and their proclivity for it.
P.S., here's a true great from the past, before everyone on both sides ruined it...
http://www.pedigreedatabase.com/gsd/pedigree/2530.html
(As with everything else, pretty much the GS breed was killed in the '60s. Americans began going narrow and long-legged, Germans started going roach-back and heavy-headed.)