The American Shepherd does not have a "sloped back", as implied here. Rather, their legs are so long that when they pose for the extreme 3-point stack, their butts end up near the ground.
GERMAN Shepherds are currently the 1s who have deformed not the hips, but the back. They have roach backs like greyhound breeds which they should NOT have! They also even when they trot look as if the butt is plowing the ground.
Both sides of the ocean have screwed up the GS - but there is still greatness out there (thanks, no doubt, to its unparalleled popularity in the world - there's a huge gene pool in reality). The "working" (i.e., working sport) GS in Europe are generally excellent in conformation - old-fashioned. But they have temperament/character (often way too high-drive and prey-driven, for a dog that's SUPPOSED to be a herding dog) and possibly other health issues.
AKC is not the only 1 who screws up things. Depends on what CLIQUE is ruling the roost.
"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.