Angulation - Page 1

Upon looking at the NASS photos and also different show line breeders websites announcing new litters and the males from Germany they are using, it looks like angulation in the Shepherd is becoming more and more pronounced. Do you think that this is the case?

It appears that there is an increasing fad for large dogs with more pronounced angulation. Also, by stacking a dog in a certain way, it may make the dog look over-angulated. Having the dog stand four-square will give you a better idea. You do not want a dog with sickle or cow hocks. You need to see the dog gaiting from the side and back/front. 

An over-angulated dog (American showlines) has major impediments in physical vitality and the ability to jump amd move freely. But a dog that is too square (not angulated enough) also will lack the ground-covering gait as well as have other issue. But such a dog will have much greater capacity for work than a longer in body, over-angulated dog.

Too many people will politicize this angulation issue. They need to get back to what is best for the breed and get over their petty personal issues. Some people like a certain amount of angulation. Some others maybe should try breeding Malinois instead.  

               Very interesting comment but I suppose you mean mainly rear angulation approaching the older American bloodlines still in use at American all breed shows. Yes many of our younger dogs in Germany carrying Zamp Thermodos etc. Zamp himself had a long second thigh backed up with a broad thigh. But a lot of his progeny only have the long second thigh without the musculature or tight ligaments to keep it under control, What Zamp gives us are his colour, front and a very likable demeanor which some feel is too soft but I would call it tractability.He should have been used correctly.
               My theory can be verified by one visit to the progeny pages on this website
               What has compounded the problem is our present day shepherds in Germany have lost out in the well let down hocks of a quarter century ago. Even in recent times we have very correct dogs like Quenn Loher Weg and Orbit Tronje who don't carry this weakness. The fallout of Quenn not becoming Sieger may come back to haunt us. Neither Godalis Tino nor Furbo Degli Achei nor Tyson Kottersbusch have made further progress but their production has been nothing short of spectacular.
           Along tibia with extreme angulation gives less mechanical advantage which needs to be offset with super musculature or you are in deep trouble.