[chrisinoc]

I am part of a rescue that places about 350 German shepherds per year.

About 20% have some hip or arthritis issues but it does seem to decreasing over the years. Most of the health issues come from previous owner neglect.

Almost none of the dogs come with the sloping backs.

[golux]

Most of the health issues come from previous owner neglect.

Fair enough but hip dysplasia has nothing to do with neglect, has everything to do with breeding, and is epidemic.

[golux]

Dysplasia and degenerative myelopathy are not new problems for the breed, for which it’s hard to hold a “pure” breeder responsible. I am a GS lover, to be sure, but if it were a pure roll of the dice today... I would far prefer to own an “impure” GS. (Like my long deceased shepherd-collie mix!)
Very best to all frllow dog-loving FRiends (and wasn’t there a ping list?)
Golux

[Salamander]

Ignore the ping.

You’re already here.

:)

[Gennie]

You’re right, there are people that assume that bad hips automatically = sloped back (it isn’t, those crooked looking dogs hips are tested before breeding in Germany) and good hips = straight back, that’s incorrect and that’s why health testing should really be done before a dog is bred, though environmental issues can contribute as well.