Dog Breeds: Old vs New, Working vs Show- with many pictures

[collie1470]

Extra white seems to be popular, too. You see it in other breeds that carry merle or dapple, too. And the "white" dobermans. And other such examples.

 

[HeritageGoose13]

What a shame, I think I have heard about the merle to merle problems before.

Some more breeds:

Basset hounds:

working:

show:


Now for some historical photographs and comparisons:




-



An x-ray of a pug's skull compared with that of an average dog's:



and a graphic making fun of how german shepherds have changed over time, comparing them to horses:

 

[collie1470]

Most Shepherds, even show shepherds don't have backs that extreme XD

It appears worse because of the differing stack. But, (american) show lines are bred for more extreme angling, and many do have a roach back.

 

[collie1470]

But yeah. In Danes, they also allow harlequin to harlequin, which is just as bad as merle to merle (the merle color is not a recognized color, though they happen in conjunction with harls)

 

[HeritageGoose13]

I've heard differing opinions. Some say a working shepherd's back should be completely straight and other say it should be slightly sloped. What do you think?
For me it is hard to tell how bad a dog's back is just from pictures, I notice it more when the dog walks and I can see its gait.

 

[collie1470]

By they allow, I mean many breeders actually consider it perfectly acceptable, though they think merles are worthless.

Priorities

 

[collie1470]

I've heard differing opinions. Some say a working shepherd's back should be completely straight and other say it should be slightly sloped. What do you think?
For me it is hard to tell how bad a dog's back is just from pictures, I notice it more when the dog walks and I can see its gait.

That depends. If you stack a working shepherd the same as a show shepherd (with legs both bent and one back) their back will appear curved, though less than a show line. I believe a straight back is better for an agile dog, it allows for greater range of movement and a fuller running stride that covers more ground.

 

[collie1470]

Opinions also vary between American and European breeders (in general, not always, of course). It seems like a lot of European breeders tend to try more for a reasonable type, as opposed to extremes. At least in some breeds.

 

[enola]

The American Breeders and Judges are more interested in producing a dog that the public likes. They do not care how that influences the changes in breeds. It is all about the money.

 

[collie1470]

It's sad. My Brussels Griffon is tiny, but because she is a special needs case (she didn't form quite right, but the breeder took a special interest in her, and contacted me because I had experience with various special needs in animals). She also has cerebellar hypoplasia (both parents have been retired from breeding since she was born), because the fear was immediately SM or CM, but fortunately it was just a random thing.