Newbie question - Sloped & Straight

woody · 05-01-2011, 05:54 PM

Hi GSD boffins,

I notice that there is considerable difference between the look of certain GSD's in that some have a straight back & some have a more sloped back. Can somebody please explain this difference to me or point in the direction of some good articles?

& thanks for a great website.

Cheers

**JKlatsky** · 05-01-2011, 06:00 PM

(Types of German Shepherds, by Wildhaus Kennels )

I like this for illustrating the stereotypical differences in the lines.

Stereotypically speaking the Showline dogs have more angulation which puts their butts closer to the ground. American showlines being longer bodied with more of a Straight slope to the ground, and German Showlines being shorter bodied with more of a curve.

Workinglines dogs generally have less angulation which results in a back that looks more level.

This is a great website for explaining structure.
http://www.shawlein.com/The_Standard...Index_Page.htm

woody · 05-01-2011, 06:36 PM

Thanks very much for the swift response. The reason I ask is because I am considering re-homing a GSD that has a straight back & am trying to learn as much as I can in order to make an informed decision. I currently own a GSD Huntaway X who is VERY much GSD dominant in looks.

Photo attached - any comments welcome:-)

**JKlatsky** · 05-01-2011, 06:47 PM

The dog in the photo looks working line to me. Darker coloration like that rarely occurs in German showlines and the way he's structured and his head looks more working line than American line to me. Of course you can never rule out the possibility that there is a mix of lines involved. In the end it's more about the dog in front of you than the lines the dog is from.

This is one of my dogs (West German Working Lines)

woody · 05-01-2011, 07:05 PM

Thanks again, very informative. From looking at the photo, would you say that he is full GSD or is it impossible to comment? Sorry for all the questions.

onyx'girl · 05-01-2011, 07:27 PM

I would say he is full GSD and agree, from WL's. Do you have any other pics? He looks like a dark sable to me. You are re-homing him, how long have you had him?

woody · 05-01-2011, 07:32 PM

I haven't re-homed him yet. I am seriously considering it tho, if all works out.
A couple of additional pictures. Obviously I would visit & introduce to my current dog before making any decisions.

onyx'girl · 05-01-2011, 07:35 PM

So you are going to possibly own him? Not re-home him, correct? Is your current dog male or female? Generally opposite sexes get along better than same.
From those new pics, he looks more of a blanket black and tan, not a sable.

woody · 05-01-2011, 07:45 PM

Sorry, by re-home I mean re-home him to my house, so yes own:-) My current dog is Male, both dogs have had the snip.

doggiedad · 05-01-2011, 08:15 PM

some are roached.

Quote:

Originally Posted by woody

Hi GSD boffins,

I notice that there is considerable difference between the look of certain GSD's in that some have a straight back & some have a more sloped back.

05-01-2011, 05:54 PM	#1 (permalink)
woody Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 64	Newbie question - Sloped & Straight Hi GSD boffins, I notice that there is considerable difference between the look of certain GSD's in that some have a straight back & some have a more sloped back. Can somebody please explain this difference to me or point in the direction of some good articles? & thanks for a great website. Cheers

05-01-2011, 06:00 PM	#2 (permalink)
JKlatsky Moderator Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Riverview, FL Posts: 2,985	(Types of German Shepherds, by Wildhaus Kennels ) I like this for illustrating the stereotypical differences in the lines. Stereotypically speaking the Showline dogs have more angulation which puts their butts closer to the ground. American showlines being longer bodied with more of a Straight slope to the ground, and German Showlines being shorter bodied with more of a curve. Workinglines dogs generally have less angulation which results in a back that looks more level. This is a great website for explaining structure. http://www.shawlein.com/The_Standard...Index_Page.htm __________________ Argos vom Eisernen Loewen VPG1, CGC, TC 3-3-07 Bianka vom Eisernen Loewen BH, CGC, TC 1-3-08 Cade vom Eisernen Loewen CGC 3-25-09 D'Artagnan (Tag) vom Eisernen Loewen 2-2-10 G Aiko von Burkndeiros SchH 3, IPO3, FH, TC, KKL2 9-17-02 Last edited by JKlatsky; 05-01-2011 at 06:03 PM.

05-01-2011, 06:36 PM	#3 (permalink)
woody Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 64	Thanks very much for the swift response. The reason I ask is because I am considering re-homing a GSD that has a straight back & am trying to learn as much as I can in order to make an informed decision. I currently own a GSD Huntaway X who is VERY much GSD dominant in looks. Photo attached - any comments welcome:-) Attached Thumbnails

05-01-2011, 06:47 PM	#4 (permalink)
JKlatsky Moderator Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Riverview, FL Posts: 2,985	The dog in the photo looks working line to me. Darker coloration like that rarely occurs in German showlines and the way he's structured and his head looks more working line than American line to me. Of course you can never rule out the possibility that there is a mix of lines involved. In the end it's more about the dog in front of you than the lines the dog is from. This is one of my dogs (West German Working Lines) __________________ Argos vom Eisernen Loewen VPG1, CGC, TC 3-3-07 Bianka vom Eisernen Loewen BH, CGC, TC 1-3-08 Cade vom Eisernen Loewen CGC 3-25-09 D'Artagnan (Tag) vom Eisernen Loewen 2-2-10 G Aiko von Burkndeiros SchH 3, IPO3, FH, TC, KKL2 9-17-02

05-01-2011, 07:27 PM	#6 (permalink)
onyx'girl Crowned Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: SW, MI Posts: 17,605	I would say he is full GSD and agree, from WL's. Do you have any other pics? He looks like a dark sable to me. You are re-homing him, how long have you had him? __________________ Jane~ Kept by Onyx, Kacie and Gideon v Wildhaus aka Karlo

05-01-2011, 07:05 PM	#5 (permalink)
woody Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 64	Thanks again, very informative. From looking at the photo, would you say that he is full GSD or is it impossible to comment? Sorry for all the questions.

05-01-2011, 07:32 PM	#7 (permalink)
woody Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 64	I haven't re-homed him yet. I am seriously considering it tho, if all works out. A couple of additional pictures. Obviously I would visit & introduce to my current dog before making any decisions. Attached Thumbnails

05-01-2011, 07:35 PM	#8 (permalink)
onyx'girl Crowned Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: SW, MI Posts: 17,605	So you are going to possibly own him? Not re-home him, correct? Is your current dog male or female? Generally opposite sexes get along better than same. From those new pics, he looks more of a blanket black and tan, not a sable. __________________ Jane~ Kept by Onyx, Kacie and Gideon v Wildhaus aka Karlo

05-01-2011, 07:45 PM	#9 (permalink)
woody Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 64	Sorry, by re-home I mean re-home him to my house, so yes own:-) My current dog is Male, both dogs have had the snip.

Remove Advertisements Sponsored Links
German Shepherd Advertisement