I thought that GSD had a very odd gait -- odd even for a GSD. But he was powerful looking. My best friend has a beautiful GSD bitch who was thought to be show quality at one time. My friend did not want to show her and had her spayed. She's barely 10 now and so broken down in the hindquarters that she can barely walk. It is so sad, because I love that dog. She used to play endlessly with my Golden who is about the same age, but they cannot see each other anymore for fear of doing more damage to the GSD's back. Now, when I come home from my friend's house, I get sniffed all over by my dog who is looking for his old friend. I feel like I've been cheating on him with another dog! I get the same treatment from the GSD when I go over there.
>I thought that GSD had a very odd gait — odd even for a GSD.<
People call them “hockwalkers”. My female GSD walks and trots on her pads, but then she comes from 11 generations of German German shepherds who have sheep tending titles. I bought her from a Canadian breeder. I prefer GSD’s who wouldn’t get a look in the US rings, but who live to be 12 and over and can still get around.