Unsoundness in the modern day German Shepherd Dog - Page 1

UNSOUNDNESS IN THE MODERN DAY GERMAN SHEPHERD DOG
In light of the current situation with the KC and the apparent modern day problem with over angulated hind quarters, weak hocks and unsoundness, I have been reading as much as I can about this. Today I came across an interesting article and would like to quote a few paragraphs.
The article is entitled -
DO WE SACRIFICE SOUNDNESS FOR SHAPE.

Well do we? My answer is Yes we do.
Do most GSD/Alsatians stand or move true behind?
Not really, the majority stand with hocks parallel, but, disappointingly do all sorts of odd things with them when they move.
It is a fact that the desired proportion of hock and stifle is of such construction that makes it impossible to get the sound hind action expected of other breeds with less acute angulation.
There are also knobbly knees, elbows that do not fit neatly, overlong weak pasterns, and very often large, flat, open flapping feet. Not the equipment for a tireless trotting dog. Not all dogs fail in these respects but in some cases some dogs have them all! It is a sad state of affairs that this has crept into our breed.
In a breed with well angulated quarters it is not easy to get soundness. A straighter stifle, a less well let down hock, gives greater firmness and usually truer action. But this conformation can only produce a ‘choppy’ movement, there is no scope for real thrust and a dog with such hind legs can never move with a reaching floating gait. It is because we require this type movement that we have to aim for the longer leg bones, sharper hock joints, but when we get them they are looser and less co ordinated and so we lose something.

Some very interesting observations about the breed, what is more interesting is this article was written by Thelma Gray in 1969. So we must ask ourselves are the problems highlighted by the KC something new with the modern day German bloodlines or has, as would seem, this always been a trait of the German Shepherd Dog.......at least for the last 40 years anyway.
..

Interesting and amazing !!

Ibrahim

A club member recently imported a stud dog from Germany.  The dog was a V1 dog.  He has won nicely for her in the USA shows. His temperament is fine with people, but the "usual" breath holder in the bitework (you hold your breath hoping he will stay on).

When this dog moves away from you I swear you can't take your eyes off his rear... it is EXACTLY like a train wreck - you just can't look away.  I think it is because you just can't figure out how the dog doesn't trip himself.  

I just don't understand what breeders - let alone judges - can see in that? 

It is a fact that the desired proportion of hock and stifle is of such construction that makes it impossible to get the sound hind action expected of other breeds with less acute angulation.

Very interesting. What this would suggest to me is that the angulation called for by the breed standard is the main cause of unsoundness. What this also says to me is that the 'breed' were aware of this problem 40 years ago, and took absolutely no notice, and did nothing. There was and still is a tacit acceptance that unsoundness is part and parcel of the breed. There you have the problem with the dogs today IMO. Angulation has increased and unsoundness in all probability has increased along with it, and still we do nothing.

The timing of the article is interesting, as this was around the time the body shape really started to change. If you look at the dogs from the early 60's the angulation was markedly different, and to my eye, correct and anatomically functional.
So the question of the article could be 'Do we sacrifice soundness for shape' and 'do we sacrifice soundness to achieve a floating gait?'.  Question: Does a working dog need a floating gait? 

So, no - this is nothing new, the KC chose to do the same as the breed did and ignore or not even recognise the problem. It has taken outside influence to force them to recognise the problems existing in a number of breeds and take some action.

 “By far the most dangerous foe we have to fight is apathy - indifference from whatever cause, not from a lack of knowledge, but from carelessness, from absorption in other pursuits, from a contempt bred of self satisfaction” 

 Dingodog writes.....

“By far the most dangerous foe we have to fight is apathy - indifference from whatever cause, not from a lack of knowledge, but from carelessness, from absorption in other pursuits, from a contempt bred of self satisfaction”

And if one itemises all of these things Dingodog - this is what our KC are suffering from most.   All aspects of health care issues are being addressed by GSD people in the UK - NOT BY THE K,C. some choose to ignore, but people with the breed interest at heart have no doubt that there is an issue albeit not an issue that is killing dogs, or should be causing the KC outrage at our breeders   - and an issue that is no worse than 10 years ago without doubt.

KC  =  Apathy and indifference  -  Most definately
          Lack of Knowledge          - Lack of interest in case they lose our revenue
          Carelessness                  - I cant find a body that cares LESS than they do
          Absorbtion                      - In their own importance and use of their "power"
          Contempt                        - Utterly towards any body we set up to assist.(GSDP)
          Self-Satisfaction              - For sure albeit very misguided

Mo

I'm not interested in taking any side in this discussion however I think if in the past certain judges hadn't been selectively blind when putting up "connected" dogs people wouldn't have thought certain faults were acceptable. I remember a few years ago videx drawing attention to an unsound champion and he came in for a torrent of criticism,  I look forward to seeing if the new order will put it's house in order or if when the fuss has died down carry on as before.

Well one things for certain Spectator, the committees of the Clubs that have signed certainly believe they can still carry on as before. Sign the KC Undertaking and enforce the Double handling Rule, dont make me laugh, those who have signed the Undertaking were doing just as much running around the ring as they have always done. Now thats hypocricy and were the KC doing anything to stop it??  Well we will see, early days I suppose!!

I don't know your opinion on outside attraction Sue B but personally I think the only time for it is during the individual examination, running around the ring screaming, whistling, blowing horns or waving water bowls about seems ridiculous to me, I know people enjoy it though so maybe there could be a class without the dogs where the judge gives awards for the most hysterical outside attraction.

And do you all really think the judging will be any fairer with this great new dawn that is coming ? Wake up & smell the coffee !