I always heard that GSDs were problematic because of hip problems caused by breeding for the sloping back, and that’s one of the reasons the Malinois were preferred. Any truth in that?
Why do they breed for the sloping back? My friend has a GSD that is my Golden’s best doggie friend. They are essentially the same age, and Reagan (the GSD) has become so crippled in just the last few months that I am worried that she’ll be gone the next time I go over there. She’s only 10.
My Golden (same age) still runs like a puppy. he only way you would know that he is getting old too is because of his white face.
Not really. The hips are essentially unrelated to the slope of the back (that is more of a lower leg angle and height of the withers issue). The exaggerated slope you are talking about is more prevalent in the American AKC GSD bloodlines, rather than in the German lines of the GSD. They are essentially a separate breed now. (I work with German lines exclusively, not with AKC lines.) You are starting to see this sort of structure in the German lines now, but not as exaggerated and extreme. It is essentially a fashion thing...
Hip dysplasia runs about 18% in the breed right now, and is about a low as it can go, due to genetics. Don’t know what the rate for Malinois is. I tried to google it, but got nothing useful. I would expect the rates to be similar or even higher for them, as GSDs have been screened for hip and elbow problems a lot longer than other breeds.
Malinois are more athletic dogs, geenrally speaking, as they are built smaller, and are more refined in bone and strength. So, generally, they are smaller, quicker and faster than most GSDs. But, like all generalities, it only applies so far... I have had several female GSDs that were somewhat smaller than most, and they were as agile as a Malinois, and more resilent and physically stronger, due to their more robust structure.
Hip problems have been around long before “sloping backs” - in any of its bloodlines.
There are many problems w/GS that go beyond the ever-present HD, which you’d think is the only problem the way GS People and Joe Schmoe talk about them. I have the most allergic dog in the world - a “hidden” non-discussed problem of GS, primarily it seems European. They also have epilepsy and Degenerative Myelopathy(Sp?), etc. It is tragic.