06/05/2023
This is a LONG read, but the BEST explanation about the angulation of a German Shepherd and why itâs important.
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GSDs have what is called a âflying trotâ where there is a moment in time in which all 4 legs are off the ground. At this point, there should be balance between the front and hind limbs in extension. Those in flexion should cross each other to a degree. The dog should appear to glide effortlessly across the ground with little change in the topline.
I would like to explain the purpose behind GSD angulation and movement, because itâs something many people outside of the breed do not understand.
A quick FYI on herding
There are actually three styles: Driving, fetching, and tending.
Drivers are dogs that get behind the livestock and move them forward. Australian cattle dogs are a notable breed for this, which is where the nickname âheelersâ comes from.
Fetchers, commonly border collies, get in front of the livestock and use spatial pressure to guide them to the handler.
Tending is what German shepherds do. It is a more foreign concept here in the US, because itâs not practical here. Tending dogs are used on large (300+), free-ranging flocks of sheep. Their job is to act as a moving fence line, and keep the flock together as they graze. To do this they must cover a lot of ground, moving at a consistent trot around the flock to make sure everyone stays close together and no one wanders off. They can move the flock, but at a slower rate than drivers and fetchers. Here in the US, we do not have free-ranging flocks, we have fences, so there is no need for this type of herding.
Much like other herding titles, thereâs a title called the HGH that tests for tending ability, and is one of the working titles accepted under the SV as proof of a dogâs working ability and breeding value. There is only a single farm in the US that offers this title, and they are in New York.
However, German shepherds were repurposed into war dogs shortly after their creation, based on their protective instincts, their fierce loyalty, and yes, their ability to cover a lot of ground quickly and efficiently. That is why theyâre more commonly known and used for their other working abilities today.
But letâs get back to the structure of the GSD and why they were created to move the way they do.
Angulation is primarily based on the angle of the pelvis or âcroup.â The pelvis sits at a steeper angle than other breeds, effectively decreasing the angles of the pelvic limb. This is why they comfortably stand with their hind limbs in a more flexed position underneath them, or in a natural 3 point stack with one foot in front of the other.
For some reason, the general public tends to view this conformation as unsound or crippled. On the contrary it is a unique feature of the GSD that allows them to function optimally in their work. Likewise, if you look at the huge variation in dog breeds youâll find MANY conformational oddities that were created to make those breeds better at their specific jobs. The GSD is no different, and is one of the most commonly used working dog breeds today.
So WHY do GSDs need angulation? What is the point of it? Well a large part of it is movement. The ability to cover significant ground at an efficient pace without fatiguing.
Because the pelvis sits at a steeper angle than other breeds, the rear limb is able to extend further under the dog in movement.
In most other breeds, at a trot, the rear foot should land in the footprint of, or just behind the front foot. In German shepherds however, the rear foot crosses and lands in front of the front foot. This translates to a longer stride length and thus, more ground covered per stride.
This type of gait does come at a cost. For example, GSDs are less agile than other types of herding breeds. They cannot turn as quickly or as sharply. I often hear the argument âif angulation is so important to GSDs as a herding breed, then why donât you see it in breeds *actually* used to herd?â
Different styles of herding. Driving and fetching breeds work up close and personal with livestock. They need to be able to make sharp turns in order to move stock and not get kicked in the face. They do not need to travel miles and miles per day at a trot.
Another bad argument I hear is âwolves also have to travel long distances, but they arenât built like that.â
1. Wolves need agility in order to be good hunters. This is something GSDs sacrifice for movement. GSDs are designed for a specific job. Wolves are designed to survive, which they donât even do very well because nature is harsh.
2. There is not a single domestic dog breed in existence that shares the same conformation as a wolf. That is why wolf hybrids can typically be identified based on conformational differences that do not exist in dogs. Idk why people insist on holding GSDs to this impossible standard, but Imho, compared to the greater majority of breeds, the GSD is one that looks and moves more similarly to a wolf. Which is still not super similar, because it is a DOG.
And because I know someoneâs going to say it, angulation has never been scientifically linked to hip dysplasia. The occurrence of HD in the breed likely has more to do with a high rate of irresponsible breeding, but has improved significantly in recent years. Last time I checked OFA statistics, GSDs had the *42nd* highest prevalence for HD. Ironically, many of the breeds with the highest prevalence of HD are known for having very little angulation. HD affects a large number of breeds and mutts alike, with various levels of angulation. It is highly unlikely the two are related. Claiming such a thing only spreads misinformation.
The goal of the GSDs movement is to cover the most ground, with the fewest steps, using the least amount of energy. However, excessive angulation does NOT translate to more efficient movement! Hereâs why.
The angulation of the GSD enables them to cover more ground per stride, yes. However, by reaching further underneath them, they have to work against a greater load in order to propel their bodies forward.
If a dog is over-angulated they will have a longer stride length, and be able to cover more ground in fewer strides. You might think well, if theyâre taking fewer strides, theyâre saving energy right? Well no, because theyâre using more energy to make each stride. They also lose more agility which, while not a priority of the breed, is still important.
If a dog is under-angulated, they may use less energy per stride, but they will require more strides to cover as much ground as an appropriately angulated dog, thereby expending more energy.
The degree of angulation referenced in the SV was determined by physics to find that optimal balance of the greatest stride length, with the least amount of load, for the lowest energy expenditure per distance ie, the most efficient movement.
Over-angulated dogs sacrifice energy for stride length.
Under-angulated dogs sacrifice stride length for energy.
To travel the same amount of distance: the over angulated dog will need fewer strides, but expend more energy per stride.
The under-angulated dog will expend less energy per stride, but will need to take more of them to cover the same ground. Both will fatigue sooner than an appropriately angulated dog.
Hereâs an analogy I commonly use to demonstrate this concept. Stand up and bend your knees just slightly, then try to jump forward (feet together). How far did you jump?
Now do it again except bend your knees more, to a degree that you can comfortably jump a decent distance. You jumped further right? Because you had more âangulation.â This time do it again, but squat down so that your hip is below your knees, now jump. Some of you wonât even be able to stand up from this position, thatâs ok, youâve made my point lol. The rest of you probably jumped a greater distance, if your knees didnât give out on you first, but it took a lot more energy to do it. Now imagine youâre in a race with yourself using the 3 different degrees of angulation. Which one would get to the finish line quickest with the least amount of work?
But itâs not all about how long the dog can work before fatiguing. Itâs long term as well, how long the dogâs body can hold up to the work. A dog that works against a greater load per stride, puts strain on the ligaments of the joint. A dog that needs to take more strides to cover the same ground, causes more friction against the articular surface of the joint. Either of these could cause premature degeneration. This is another reason why we should be diligent about healthy joints in the breed.
But German shepherds are barely used for tending anymore, so why do we care?
Well, in part, for the same reason we care about preserving any breed for historical reasons. There are many dog breeds who arenât, or are rarely used for their original purposes, but whoâs standards still reflect those purposes.
In addition, efficient movement has its advantages in todayâs uses of the GSD. A dog that can travel large distances quickly without fatiguing, and happens to have a nice long nose thatâs good for tracking? That can make a big difference in search and rescue, cadaver recovery, and suspect apprehension. For sport and protection, a GSDs ability to reach further underneath themselves with their rear legs enables them to launch their bodies further (same idea as giving them a longer stride length). If youâve ever seen a particularly talented dog go in for a long bite at an IGP trial, itâs something to see for sure. Like little furry missiles đ.
Preserving this conformation and efficiency of movement is so important to the SV, that the AD (a 12 mile trot) is one of the many requirements a GSD must complete before it is eligible for breeding.
So thatâs it. Thatâs why GSDs are âcrippled,â because theyâre actually designed for efficient function. Under-angulated, aka âstraight backâ dogs as backyard breeders like to call them, are JUST as inefficient as over-angulated dogs people love to crucify in show rings.
As a disclaimer: please remember that structure and working drive are not related. A dog can have the correct structure for the work, but no drive for it, just like a dog can have high working drive, but less than optimal structure. Between those two dogs, the one with the drive is going to do the job, but he may have a higher risk for injury, or break down sooner over time. The issue in show lines vs working lines is that show lines tend to sacrifice drive for structure, and working lines tend to sacrifice structure for drive. This is something the SV tries to balance by requiring ALL dogs to have working titles AND a show rating. To prove they possess the minimum structural requirements, working drives, and temperament to preserve the breed.
I myself prefer a more balanced dog. A dog with nice structure that can do the work and do it well.
Caylie Voudren
