A healthy pet
Our health program is unique.
We strive to breed and continue to improve the traits and characteristics originally produced in the traditional standard of the German Shepherd. Our German Shepherds are bred and selected to be well socialized, even-tempered, healthy, and be protective, loyal family companions.
Our dogs are a large healthy size, averaging between 24"-26" for males and 22"-24" for females, and to grow to be a healthy, average weight, yet not too large. German Shepherds are meant to be a medium to large breed, and when you have one that is considerably larger than average, they are more likely to have joint problems and a shorter lifespan.
This breed is meant to be athletic and agile, not oversized or cumbersome. We focus on good health in our stock, which means all our dogs are OFA hip and elbow certified, and DM tested clear or no effects. They remain our constant companions and loyal friends.
A straight back is essential to your dog’s health.
A tough subject among breeders these days is: "Why are German Shepherds being bred with such an arched back"? This question has become more and more frequent and very disturbing. Our wonderful German Shepherds are now being called "Banana Backs" and "Roach Backs," and the list goes on. What has greatly concerned me is comments like " Breeders have created this roached back, and I am sure they do not know how to get rid of it now," and another was "We humans created this monster, now we need to fix it." We should all say no to this disfiguring of the breed, not to mention the discomfort the roach back brings to the dogs. This is why we are carefully breeding straight back original german shepherds.
Max Von Stephanitz is recognized throughout the world as the highest authority on the German Shepherd. He was president of the Verein fur Deutsche Schaferhunde. Here are his thoughts (Please forgive this rough German translation):
"The spinal column, which extends from the head, by way of the neck to the end of the tail lies in the upper part of the body; this in conjunction with the ribs which are joined to it, and the fore-and hindlimbs, forms a bridge like skeleton for the body, which by means of the muscles which hold together, bind, support, stay and carry it, serves then for the forward motion of the animal. The upper part of the body is generally called the back; it is divided into the withers, the back proper and the loins which end in the buttocks.
The withers which are the fore part of the back serve as a passage to the neck; they are composed of the spinal process of the first dorsal vertebrae, of which the upper ends, in the case of dogs run in an almost even line and do not undulate as with horses. The withers externally do not come so strongly into evidence. The back and shoulder muscles are attached to the spinal process; this produces high and long withers which favor a long step and endurance, and are therefore necessary for service. Finally, a good powerful development in the height of the spinal process, in conjunction with a good breadth formation, renders possible a broad and oblique position of the shoulders, which again is essential for the suitable position of the forelimbs. The back itself succeeds the withers, which stand in closest relation with the loins which are carried by the lumba and extend as far as the buttocks. The kidney lies under the first two vertebrae of the lumbar. The breadth of the back tapers off somewhat in the region of the loins because the lumbar carries no ribs. This is a very important part indeed and must be especially strong and well-knit for the transference of the "follow-through" of the hindquarters. The side processes of the lumbar are covered on the upper side and in the abdominal cavity with strong muscles that serve in motion. A good breadth in the region of the loins is, therefore, necessary for efficiency.
"The back should be Straight and Powerful." A vaulting already formed and strongest in the region of the loins and extending upwards is called a "high" or "fish" back. The strength of the muscles is not turned to such good account here, as in a straight back. Curved spine diminishes the power for efficiency and, therefore, an especially serious handicap. The gait of a good German Shepherd should be easy and gliding that during an even trot, not a drop of water would be spilled from a full glass placed on his back.
I would also like to add some comments from Helmut Raiser's article published on March 30, 2004. Helmut Raiser needs no introduction to the German Shepherd World. This is his opinion of the current German Shepherd being bred today.
Defenders of the German Shepherd dog are locked in a fierce battle about its future following claims that breeders have made it curvaceous and hopelessly soppy. Helmut Raiser, a former breeder with the German Shepherd Association, says he wants to “return the animal to its origins as a working dog with a fierce bite and a 48kmh gallop. The dog is an Anatomical Disaster. Nowadays, he might still be a dog at the front, but he's a frog at the back. His backside is sunk as if a brick were hanging from his testicles.”
Helmut wrote this in an article for Wuff magazine. Mr. Raiser, a dentist from central Germany, blames the problems of the 100-year-old Shepherd dog’s physique on excessive inbreeding and the increasing prevalence of show dogs, bred for their beauty rather than their utilitarianism. “Incontinence, hip problems, nerve damage, bone deformities, and listlessness are some of the unpleasant side effects.”
Key details
Good bone structure.
Sphenoid head proportional to the body.
Moderate wide between the ears, proportions between skull and face part - 50% to 50%.
Highly developed upper and lower jaws and scissors like bite.
Medium sized and slightly situated eyes.
Dark and very tight lips.
Straight and medium sized ears, vertically upright with forward looking earpiece.
Withers — long and tall, with smooth transition to the back line, muscular neck and back.
Moderately wide breasts and tucked up stomach.
Well developed extremities with oval, firm and dark pillow paws.
Slightly curved upwards tail which the dog will hold up when excited.