Talk to me about lateral gaits in dogs

[S1969]

@beowulf

Yes… In HS, worked for a kennel that did agility with the corgis & working/schutzhund with the GSDs…it’s how I got my start with the breed and where I found my breeder of my first GSD. The dogs then are completely different than now, no dispute.

“Standards” by definition, are not as rigid as you think. The standards may be the same or unchanging, but breeds as a whole tend to ‘evolve’ for a lack of better word. One need to only look at the Holsteiner, which has very onerous standards… and the registry is completely different in terms of type/quality today than it was 20 years ago… Casall and Laurie’s Crusader, for instance, could not be more different – and both were and are considered the type to breed in their day.

Yes i know how breed standards work. As I said, I am active in my breed parent club and i also show my dogs in AKC. My point was that if you are familiar with working bred dogs v. Show bred dogs you are not comparing apples to apples.

I can see two entirely different types of my breed right now if i look at what is being produced for the show ring and the field trial grounds. It isnt a change in the standard, or an evolution over time.

I would have to compare show dogs to show dogs or firld trial dogs to field trial dogs.

[Bristol_Bay]

My dog, the late, great Lola, was some kind of long-legged street dog from Mexico. She had the weirdest lateral walk all her life.

[beowulf]

@S1969

Yes i know how breed standards work. As I said, I am active in my breed parent club and i also show my dogs in AKC. My point was that if you are familiar with working bred dogs v. Show bred dogs you are not comparing apples to apples.

I can see two entirely different types of my breed right now if i look at what is being produced for the show ring and the field trial grounds. It isnt a change in the standard, or an evolution over time.

I would have to compare show dogs to show dogs or firld trial dogs to field trial dogs.

I am not comparing show dog lines to working dog lines. I am not sure where you got that impression.

I was comparing my late GSD to his successor, and others by that breeder. Both GSDs I mentioned are from the same breeder, just many generations and years apart. Both working lines. Completely different in type.

[S1969]

@beowulf

I am not comparing show dog lines to working dog lines. I am not sure where you got that impression.

I was comparing my late GSD to his successor, and others by that breeder. Both GSDs I mentioned are from the same breeder, just many generations and years apart. Both working lines. Completely different in type.

So you are assuming this breeder changed their breeding goals? Or that the entire population of GSDs is different?

Its very possible for a breeder to change their goals but im not sure it’s representative of the entire breed. And it might not be deliberate if they are not breeding for conformation anyway.

I guess my point is that every year after Westminster people comment on how breeders have ruined the GSD…but most people have never owned a GSD bred for conformation to the written standard.

[Foxtrot_s]

Our dog is the same - her walk / trot is somewhere between my normal walk or extended brisk walk - so to make up the difference she paces, too. I can adjust my pace to make her walk or trot instead of pace.

[PalominoMorgan]

I had a mutt who was a 105 pounds of solid muscle when she was fit before becoming a senior. Best guess to her breeding is GSDxRottiexLab. She paced quite often when we would hike. If it was fairly level ground she would pace along comfy as could be. When the terrain got uneven or had an obstacle she’d go to a trot. She wasn’t ever lame in her younger years. It was only her last 2 years that she got achy and sore if she did too much fetch.