Just out of curiosity, I’ve had a little question playing on my mind for a few days now: why do German Shepherds have that sloped back? Doesn’t that shape cause them health issues, like hip dysplasia? And why is it that White Swiss Shepherds—which are basically just the white version of a German Shepherd—have straight backs?
Thanks in advance for any answers; I’ll definitely be going to bed a bit wiser tonight!
Translated from French
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A good working-line German Shepherd isn't 'crouched' as you put it... They look a bit arched in a stack, yeah, but that's just to show off the topline.
Mind you, some people do a right hash of it, and it’s even worse with backyard breeders.
My girl is from a show line and she’s doing BRILLIANTLY.
Right then (warning, wall of text incoming! xD)
First off, you should know that the White Swiss Shepherd is descended from the German Shepherd, but for a long time, it was considered a "defect" in the breed.
Originally, German Shepherds had straight backs. But over time, two different lines of GSDs were developed:
The working line German Shepherd, which has a straight topline like the Swiss.
The show line German Shepherd, with much lower hindquarters.
Next, it’s worth noting that the topline itself doesn't actually cause dysplasia, and the reason is simple: dysplasia affects the hips, not the back... it's all about how the bones fit into the sockets.
Contrary to popular belief, German Shepherds aren't actually the most predisposed breed to dysplasia... As soon as you're dealing with medium-to-large dogs, dysplasia is a possibility (case in point, it even happens in American Staffies).
That's why you have to make sure your puppy has a really good diet throughout its growth, avoid stairs until they're 15 months old, and avoid jumping or walks that are too long so you don't overstrain the joints. Most importantly, make sure they aren't overweight. The more weight there is, the more pressure it puts on the joints.
I'm not sure if I'm making much sense, as it's much easier to explain using hand gestures! ^^
