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I have also noticed that German Shepherds have been bred to have a down sloping back end within the last 60 years. I've compared that to the shepherds of 80-100 years ago, and those dogs had straight backs and strong hind ends. I watched the original Rin Tin Tin in the movies of the 1930's, and that dog was a straight-backed true athlete. What people have done to dogs in the name of AKC breeding and the latest trendy "look" is criminal.
Hip dysplasia is a whole 'nother disease, Colleen. We're talking here of spinal degeneration, resulting in increasing paralysis in the rear. Nothing painful about it (like hip dysplasia, which is arthritis).
So, why did your GSD end up with hip dysplasia, 50 years ago?
Take a look at what the breed has been plagued with for decades, in fair part due to breeders' whims, like a sloping rear end. Find me one canine in nature (wolf, coyote, fox, dingo) who stands like that!
Another man-made disease, and though I think vaccines contribute to it, probably much more is poor genetic selection criteria.
This is an interesting comment.... I do wish dr. Falconer would respond to this one!
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