Breeders Who Don't Breed the Roach Back Look?

[CelticGlory]

Why are more and more people breeding this look? Isn't this bad for the dog's spine?

I keep searching and that is what I'm coming up with. I'm using google and putting certain terms in and it gives me breeders but, they breed the roach back look!! I want my dog with a proper spine not a curved one. Can anyone suggest a better way to search on google that would omit these types of breeders? I'm sure not all breeders breed this look!

I don't want to limit myself to just my state that is why I'm using google. I'm mainly looking for Show lines, but a mix of both is okay with me too. Low to Mid-level drives. Of course, the proper health testing and perhaps a website. I know not all breeders have websites, but I want to get a look at all of their dogs to make a decision, if they are someone I want to personally go with.

Any help would be a godsend!

[Liesje]

Look for breeders breeding nice V-rated dogs that aren't necessarily the top V or VA dogs in the world. These top dogs are often the ones getting the most breedings but tend to be the most extreme. I have a full show line male and I do not think he is overly roached/curved (old pic, he's more mature now but you get the idea). He is a UKC champion, got some AKC ribbons, and is SG rated (at 13 months, I haven't shown him as an adult but the owner of his sire who is an SV judge said he would be V-rated).


The curve look comes from a combination of things with regard to the dog's conformation and isn't necessarily and indication of a bad spine or any medical problem. I like a slight curve, and I believe a slight curve helps because it absorbs impact when a dog is jumping (I think I read this in the Linda Shaw standard?) but also do not like the extreme curve. To me "roach" is not just curve but when the topline is higher over the loin than the wither. I don't like that at all, even if the curve itself is not extreme.

[CelticGlory]

Your dog is the type I'm looking for. The one's I've found you can tell the difference in the overall topline, the middle of their backs you can see a "bump" look. I will take your suggestion on how to look. Thank you so much Liesje.

[Liesje]

It can also make a difference how the dog is stacked. You cannot really change anatomy with a stack but I *can* make my dog look much more extreme if I stack him that way. Some dogs just are too extreme, but make sure to evaluate the dog not just based on a few stacked photos. Also some younger dogs can look all sorts of ugly as they grow, they get all leggy and often appear roached over the loin with a flat wither until they mature and even out.

[carmspack]

that's a very nice dog Liesje . I'm spending the day with Linda tomorrow , I'll ask her.

[CelticGlory]

I plan on it, I try and see if I can find pictures of the parents in a relax state and not when they are just being stacked. I may email some breeders and see if they have some other photos and explain what I'm looking for.

[Liesje]

Originally Posted by carmspack

that's a very nice dog Liesje . I'm spending the day with Linda tomorrow , I'll ask her.

Thanks, I thought I remembered reading that on her site with an explanation of arches (in architecture) being more stable and the same thing applying to active dogs. But obviously some have taken this to the extreme, not just the curves in the back but the extreme steep croup, angulation, etc.....I'm preaching to the choir, lol....

[BlackthornGSD]

Sadly, and oddly, way too many stack photos are being photoshopped to a "template" topline--one that is roached! Oryou'll see the handler's knee or hand pushing down on the hip to make the dog lean forward and crouch down in the rear.

This drives me nuts.

[holland]

There are so many other things that can drive you nuts...

[robinhuerta]

Not ALL breeders of conformation lines....have "roached back looking dogs".
And yes.....the "stacked" pictures can give an illusion exhibiting a "curved appearance" to a topline.