Some background: I just adopted Ruger from his second owner on Thursday and am trying to figure him out. The first guy apparently got him from a pet store that imports GSDs from Hungary (most likely from a puppy mill). I'm thinking he must be some sort of show line, because he is very angulated, but he also has a roached back (I think).
It doesn't show up well in photos, but he is dark tan, almost light red-and-black. He's rather tall and narrow, especially his head, but he was neutered at 8-9 wks, so I don't know how much that plays a part in his overall structure. He's also only 19 mos old, so I don't know if he's still just puppy-lanky. Any ideas on what type of line or lines he may be from?
Here's a bad photo his previous owner sent me that shows his back end and top line pretty well:
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Here are a couple that I took (I don't have any of him stacked, or a close head shot, yet, sorry):
My second concern is this: I'm not used to the extreme angulation, so to me, it looks like he walks funny. I'm not sure if it's just the way he's built, or if he has hip problems. His hind legs look "bent" for lack of a better term. I think I remember someone calling it a "froggy or squishy rear end." That really fits him perfectly. He definitely looks cow-hocked sometimes when he walks, as if his legs are so long they just want to knock together. Is this normal for a showline dog that is very angulated? I know pups often walk this way, but can some adults still look so wobbly and crouched down?
When I saw this, I definitely thought, OMG this dog has HD! I still wanted him and was willing to deal with it, so I brought him home anyways. He needed a better home and come to find he's got the best temperament I could ask for, such a friendly lovebug and very obedient. I felt him all over, moved his legs, and nothing bothers him. He isn't a strong jumper, but rather clumsily jumps/climbs onto the couch or bed when I invite him up. When he trots, he really does have a noticeably smooth "floating" look that I've seen on tv, but he looks awfully silly when he walks or runs. He doesn't bunny-hop, but definitely isn't as fast or powerful in stride as my other two dogs.
I know this is a health question, but how would a dog with HD walk as opposed to a very angulated, healthy dog? Again, he doesn't seem to be pained by anything back there. I will get him X-rayed in the future if he needs to be put under for anything, but for now I'm just putting him on Nupro Joint formula, it can't hurt.
BTW his "papers" from the pet store indicate that the parents were from von Sternhof kennels. I couldn't find much, just a few dogs listed on that pedigree site. Again, I'm pretty sure it's a puppy mill.
Thanks for the input!
