Speaks For Itself:

[sheplovr]

http://www.dogforum.org/gallery/data/500/medium/GSDCOMP.jpg (http://www.dogforum.org/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/5665/size/big/cat/500)
Notice the American Shepherds stiff necks straight up? How the croup just drops off, a weakness, and they stand on entire back leg to the hock.? Lack of pigment on off color but the saddleback a requirement to show which is mostly what they are best for.
The West German Shepherds Show n Work lines, deep pigment, stands up on toes, head more level with nice topline, good croup not too steep or dropped off totally. Neck ties in to shoulders nicely for working abilities and strong legs for a fast gait in showing.
East or Checq Shepherds heavier boned, mostly black, sables. Stands up on toes as should be, nice top lines, good croups, heads more level. Notice muscled neck of males, they do alot of Police work, very high ball drive lines, not the best for pets as more nervous and not as sound of nerves, would rather be doing something most of the time.

[Star Shine]

This is a great post Pat showing the differences between the West German and American lines. It didn't relalize that there was such a difference. I have always wondered with the slope in the topline of the american lines do you see more hip problems?

[melissa2007]

Great post, I didn't know there was such a difference but this makes it easier to see and compare

[sheplovr]

I am not sure Christine if they get more, my guess that would be correct. One other reason I import as they are healthier, they do hips at one year by SV rules to begin to work at 16 months old. Over in Europe they cannot use dogs till titles and breed surveyed. That takes six months for SchH1 along with BH, AD, KKL1.

I just thought a good idea for all concerned or not owning just what a difference of the Shepherds. I do not own any, but years back I was gifted with them, every single one had to be denerved for HD to kill the pain. Cripples all of them but I loved each one of about 6 given to me, this is why my home page says I wanted to try to per-fect the great breed, but I cannot do it alone.......:)

[agilityk9trainer]

Yes, the pics speak for themselves. What is America doing to their shepherds!!

[Borzoi mad]

Hi Pat as Agility K9 says the pictures speak for themselves. Sadly, It is going that way in the UK too with Shepherds. I have a friend who has been in the breed over 30 years who has now come out of it because of this. She still has a couple of oldies, but will not breed another litter.

A very informative post Thanks so much.

[Star Shine]

Thanks Pat, that is very interesting. I never thought that there was such a difference between them. When I think of a GSD it's the look of the WG lines.

[agilityk9trainer]

I am saddened to hear that, Borzio mad. Such a great breed to destroy structurally like this.

[melissa2007]

May I ask why they are breeding them like that?what is there goal?Is it for just looks or is it for improving something?Im just confused as to why someone would breed the GSD to look that way, is there any reasoning behind it or is it pure madness?

[sheplovr]

I venture to guess it is pure showing them. Just AKC shows as ours only show in Seiger meaning German shows against only European Shepherds.

This American style is for competeting in West Minister, Eukanuba all the AKC shows all breeds. This makes them stand out, but if watching one of the AKC shows, just watch the shepherd stacking. It is disgusting and very undeserable for breeding them keeping the Shepherd able to work in herding that is natural for them, but not with a weak back end like this, the steep dropped croup, they have no drive to push, to scale a six foot wall without a run, etc.

Just nonsense to destroy this wonderful breed of dog that derived from Germany in the first place.????:cool:

[agilityk9trainer]

I was watching one of the televised Eukanuba Dog Shows and the announcer said that the anglation on the German shepherd helps propel the dog to do it's herding duties. Yeah....right.