Why do GSDs have such an exaggerated slope to their hind end?

Question

I was looking at some very old pictures of the GSDs my Grandfather's family bred back in Germany and they looked much stronger and sturdier. What happened to the modern GSD in the States?

Answer 1

Since I wondered this too, I looked it up. This what I found and it pretty much summarizes what I was able to find all together:
The North American show lines have also been bred primarily for their looks, but have a markedly different appearance from the international show line shepherd, featuring a more noticeably sloped back and sharper angles of the hock joint. There is a current debate over whether the American show line still represents the original German Shepherd Dog, or if the line has diverged enough over the years to be considered a separate breed. Critics of the American line argue that the working ability of these dogs has been diminished, and that the angled back is detrimental to the health of the animal. Proponents of the line believe that the altered bone structure of the American line improves the dog's herding ability.

In the former East Germany, German Shepherds adhered more closely to the old prewar standard, marked by a straighter back, a longer and denser coat, and a darker color. These dogs are now praised for their working ability. There are current attempts to preserve this distinct line and raise it to the status of an officially recognized breed ("East German Shepherd Dog"). German and Eastern European lines tend to be stockier, with shorter snouts and more muscular chests, and typify the working lines.North American lines have a tendency towards a longer croup, longer back, higher wither and temperament ideal for companionship.
So it appears as though the AKC version is just bred for looks. I often wonder what goes on with American breeds, since it seems many breeds of dog here start to lose the muscular apperance that they have in European bred dogs. This is why I'm glad that AKC hasn't had a chance to screw up the APBT, I don't like the way the Staffy is starting to look at all. The trend of very short and very stocky with oversized heads is bringing them in the wrong direction. They look like rocks balanced on 4 toothpicks.

Answer 2

I think you'll find it has happened to the GSD all over the world. Breeders have selected a particular trait and bred for it resulting in an exaggerated slope on the back. However, in reality the breed standard (certainly the one here in the UK) calls for a level back, so breeders producing dogs with sloping backs aren't breeding them to the breed standard.
All to do with fashion really!

Answer 3

because Shepard breeders decided that wasp wasted angle stance is more beautiful in the conformation ring, and because of this mentality the breed has suffered, they have a lot of hip problems that could have been avoided if those older genes had not been bread out of American blood lines. Just another example of stupid fickle breeders. But real true to the breed breeders will try for a more balanced body style, and a more sturdy dog

Answer 4

there are two types of gsd the one with the slope are American the ones with no slope are European the Americans are breed more for speed and jumping where the others are breed for working long hours