Never heard about slop or non-slope

But, you mean that the back slopes, right? I know that they do that in the dog shows. My GSD doesn't have a slope. See:
https://2img.net/h/i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh95/graydawntreader/100_2376.jpg
My dad thinks that if it wasn't for her color she'd look more like a Collie.

So what follows the standard more? Slope or non-slope?

None of my dogs have sloping backs or realy low hocks. I personaly not a fan of it... I much prefer working line. Most of the GSDs I see everyday don't have slopes anyway... I think its because of the different lineages from different countries.

The Standard does not call for that severe rear angulation, yet severely angulated dogs continue to win in the show ring in the US. I really don't like seeing dogs practically walking on their hocks. =/ I much prefer the Working Line dogs structure.

Gideon does not have that much of a slope either! but idk, were is shep when you need her!

I think that the dogs with a slope are beautiful, but then so are all GSDs. I don't see how a dog with a slope would be any good at herding though.
If it's not in the standard for a sloping back, why do they breed them that way?

Great websites:

http://www.shawlein.com/The_Standard/02_The_Forehand/The_Forehand.html
http://www.shawlein.com/The_Standard/05_The_Hindquarters/The_Hindquarters.html
http://kerschberger.com/GSDbreedstandard.htm

Quote :

The top line extends from the point where the neck meets the skull past the well developed withers and the gently downward sloping back to the slightly sloping croup without a visible break. The back is firm, strong, and well muscled. The loin is broad, well developed, and strongly muscled. The croup should be long and have a slight downward slope (approximately 23 degrees from horizontal) and should merge smoothly into the tail s

"The croup should be long and have a slight downward slope"

Like the one on my signature?
Cookie doesn't have a slope at all. In fact, her rear is a little higher than her front.

Thanks for the sites ^^

xD But you havn't stacked her correctly, there. Maybie its because of the way Cookie stands that makes her back end be higher?

But... I don't like the realy slopey slope ones. If its just slightly... I guess i'm ok with it. But... Eh. I don't think much about most of the GSDs entered in shows anymore x)

Showlines breed for Appearance rather than Function.

Right in the original GSD Standard [the SV's standard] it says that the GSD should never be bred to highlight one aspect. Funny how that worked out. Very few breeders actually adhere to the original standard.

I think it all comes down to preference. Somewhere along the line someone discovered that they like the severe angulation and then started to breed for that. I have no idea why it is so popular in the American Show ring, but it is. =/

Cookie isn't show quality anyways. Cookie's rear is always higher than her front.
We got her from someone who got her from a breeder. I don't think much of Cookie's breeder, from what I have heard about this "breeder". She had sold Cookie to someone who wanted to breed her, and this person kept Cookie in the backyard with an aggressive dog. They didn't do anything but sell Cookie when they saw that that dog wouldn't let her eat either. We got her cheap, $50. I'm glad that she isn't with that other person anymore, though. She deserved much better than that.

I'm glad you took her in then. People can be very idiotic, and money-hungry, can't they?

I know, on the Answers section on Dogster you won't believe how many people ask questions about breeding their dog. Those questions get a lot of answers, including one from me.

Those people who had owned Cookie before, we think that they abused her too, she used to be so afraid of men that she left a puddle whenever she saw one.

Oh, thats realy sad =(

TravisGSD wrote:

Showlines breed for Appearance rather than Function.

Right in the original GSD Standard [the SV's standard] it says that the GSD should never be bred to highlight one aspect. Funny how that worked out. Very few breeders actually adhere to the original standard.

I think it all comes down to preference. Somewhere along the line someone discovered that they like the severe angulation and then started to breed for that. I have no idea why it is so popular in the American Show ring, but it is. =/

VERY good points TravisGSD. i am a breeder (new i must say my first year) and i've had both the sloping and the straight backs and i have to say i prefer the straight backs. i'm not keen on a dog that looks like you're about to pitch a tent with it rather then work it. I have to say i dont condemn the showlines only the focus of some showing breeders. I personally think if the dog is working show line or workingline it's closer a GSD then just looking at apperance.

It saddens me severly to see that the true GSD nature is disappearing more and more.. this is what some of my breeding goals were ... to pick dogs that work, that suit and fit the standard

My dusty is a straight back and a solid working line girl but i've had showlines too who have been straight backs.

i just think it depends on personal preference but i cannot see how the elongated/sloping back can work or run for a long period of time.. my dusty is always on the go and never gets tired.. i think too many wrong ppl and influences are ruining the breed. Breeders have become competative for winings rather then better dogs.

Very sad when it's come to this

Well I'll take that as a compliment ;] Having a breeder tell me I made good points. :] lol.

hahha Ashley

It is my understanding that the sloped back is in reference to the true "German" Shepherd (from the working lines). Those that have the straight backs are normally the "American" German Shepherds.

My preference is the straight back GSD. Of course, my dogs are not for showing or breeding, they are simply my pets, friends and lifelong companions.

I though it was the other way around, sloped backed being the 'American' and Straight backed being the 'German'

I favour the straight backed, myself, too. All of mine have straght backs.

The dogs with the severe rear angulation are the American Showlines.

Working lines are the ones that are closer to the original standard in that they do not have that severe rear angulation. [or slope as some call it ]

We notice in the big dog shows that the more sloping back dogs are the ones that win. They are absolutely gorgeous dogs, and they look like they are crouching all the time. Cruiser is clearly not show dog quality ... just a wonderful, smart, loving companion. My GDB friends who have raised & trained GSD for GDB (GDB had decided not to train GSD puppies anymore, though, 'cos so many of them have failed for various reasons, particularly physical problems.), say the dogs with the straighter backs have a lot less incidence of rear-end issues and they think the sloping backs "encourage" rear-end problems. I don't know ... I'm just glad my straight-backed, non-show dog Cruiser-boy continues not to have any problems at all. He's so big I can't imagine how on earth I'd deal with it if it became severe.