American Show Line GSD???

[HarleyTheGSD]

I don't mean to disrespect anyone here who has an ASGSD, I'm sure your dogs are lovely, but what is going on with the structure? And as for temperament, they do have a tendency of having weak or soft temperaments. (not saying all of them do) I recently saw an ASGSD that was walking on it's hocks. Even if it doesn't hurt the dog (I don't know if it does or doesn't), that just seems un-natural. (I'm sure not all ASGSDs are this extreme, but it seems to be typical.)
In my personal opinion, Americans have ruined the GSD. Anyone is welcome to disagree or agree, and maybe shed some more light on the subject.
Once again, I don't mean to be rude or disrespectful, I just want to know what is really going on with the American show line GSD.

[Lucy Dog]

Just like in any line, there are extremes. There's good breeders and bad breeders. There are good show line dogs and there are bad show line dogs. There are good working line dogs and there's bad working lines dogs.

This has actually been discussed plenty of times before in multiple threads over the years. Most people here are pretty pro working line, so I'm sure you're not going to get too many arguments.

[LARHAGE]

Like Paul said, there are good and bad dogs in EVERY line, people have bred for extremes in all of them, I personally know a few ASLGD's that are beautiful, great temperaments and an asset to the breed, again, like there are from ALL lines.

[HarleyTheGSD]

Originally Posted by Lucy Dog

Just like in any line, there are extremes. There's good breeders and bad breeders. There are good show line dogs and there are bad show line dogs. There are good working line dogs and there's bad working lines dogs.

This has actually been discussed plenty of times before in multiple threads over the years. Most people here are pretty pro working line, so I'm sure you're not going to get too many arguments.

I understand. But would a dog walking on it's hocks be considered a fault? I would certainly think so.

[HarleyTheGSD]

Originally Posted by LARHAGE

Like Paul said, there are good and bad dogs in EVERY line, people have bred for extremes in all of them, I personally know a few ASLGD's that are beautiful, great temperaments and an asset to the breed, again, like there are from ALL lines.

I see. It's like the Germans with their show line GSDs. They tend to have an extreme roached back. But I have seen some GSL GSDs with only a slight, natural looking slope.

[qbchottu]

Agree with Lucy Dog. This isn't much of a fair argument because this board is largely biased in favor of working dogs. If you want some opinions from ASL enthusiasts, breeders and competitors, I think you would have more luck getting answers in an ASL focused forum.

I think Daphne aka "Andaka" competes in the AKC ring and might be able to help you with your question.

"Americans have ruined the GSD" <-oh boy...

[LARHAGE]

Originally Posted by HarleyTheGSD

I see. It's like the Germans with their show line GSDs. They tend to have an extreme roached back. But I have seen some GSL GSDs with only a slight, natural looking slope.

Exactly, and like the working dogs and their extreme over the top drive.

[Lucy Dog]

Originally Posted by HarleyTheGSD

I understand. But would a dog walking on it's hocks be considered a fault? I would certainly think so.

Do all ASL's walk on their hocks?

We had a member here (paddyD) who had an ASL dog that wasn't like you're describing. Straight and level back... Wasn't walking on her hocks. She looked like a very well built ASL.

[HarleyTheGSD]

Originally Posted by qbchottu

Agree with Lucy Dog. This isn't much of a fair argument because this board is largely biased in favor of working dogs. If you want some opinions from ASL enthusiasts, breeders and competitors, I think you would have more luck getting answers in an ASL focused forum.

I think Daphne aka "Andaka" competes in the AKC ring and might be able to help you with your question.

"Americans have ruined the GSD" <-oh boy...

I am also in favor of working dogs, I was just curious what owners of ASL GSDs would reply to my post, how they would defend these lines.
I know, it sounds bad and rude, but that's just how I see it. Once again, my opinion.

[HarleyTheGSD]

Originally Posted by Lucy Dog

Do all ASL's walk on their hocks?

We had a member here (paddyD) who had an ASL dog that wasn't like you're describing. Straight and level back... Wasn't walking on her hocks. She looked like a very well built ASL.

Okay, that answers my question. I know that not ALL ASLs walk on their hocks, I just see it more often than the dogs not walking on their hocks. I understand that there are ASLs that have great, strong structure with no extreme rear angulation.