Sloping backlines and over angulation - Page 16

Sorry, but I didn't see that you specified 'service work'. You said, "......for other types of work, structure really doesn't matter at all."
Therefore, I didn't make any 'assumptions', except that you do herding and agility.

I consider the topic of structure of any working breed important rather than 'petty'. But whatever. 

 

Joanro, Tomorrow when sun rises, me and my dog will do even better than this

 

https://www.facebook.com/7wrestling/videos/741863219276412/

Whether overangulated or underangulated, no breed has better brains or more loyalty

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6AcKp6Xfg1s

Agree Susie and I am also a conformation buff, of course of a different breed but a working breed and I have discounted many dogs for lack of perfect conformation and plenty that had a "heart to do any job" but a little less conformation than the other littermates or even adults. But for certain jobs or service dogs can be built and conformed to perform most any task as long as they have the heart and willingness to perform. Was really my point mostly. I like the perfectly conformed dog just like anyone BUT I would not discount an animal for certain faults as long as he/she has the heart to work.

You can back yourself into a corner with trying to produce and perfect an animal; not a perfect one in any breed. I also think balance plays a role which helps the dog to be able to work with ease and perfection. So for me I do not mind a bit of overangulation as long as the dog has the front shoulder to balance the dog and I want "heart". Nan

 

PS:  And I want brains.

Good morning everyone We started at 5:00 in the morning, pavement is asphalt, nice and cool, road is almost flat, with slight ups and downs, no big deal. Weather is cold 5 Celsius (equivalent to 15 Fahrenheit). Our goal is to trot our one year old GSD male for 20 kilometers (12.43 miles) in 4 sessions each one 5 kilometers (3.11 miles) distance, each break will be 10 minutes. We did 1st session in 20 minutes (at 15 kmh = 9.33 mph), We did 2nd session in 22 minutes ( at 13.64 kmh = 8.48 mph). In first 2 sessions dog was at ease, willing and enjoying, no signs he got tired. In 3rd session and after 4th kilometer dog slowed down and made few extra switches in his legs, we completed 3rd session in 25 minutes ( at 12 kmh = 7.46 mph). My sister decided it was time to finish so we did. Total distance covered was 15 kilometers = 9.32 mile, speed was 13.43 kmh = 8.35 mph Speed wasn't our goal but rather the distance, but we could have made much better speed, but when there was a slight downward in the road and we tried to increase speed dog would make clumsy switches in his rear legs. I think with more growing up and exercise we will be able to do more than 20 kilometers but I don't think speed will better up, he does not cope with more speed, maybe that is his trot speed limit 

Don´t do this again - your dog is too young and untrained for such a distance on asphalt.
I have seen adult dogs with bleeding feet after going the AD distance on asphalt - they need to be used to it.
Did you use a bicycle?

Maybe this helps -

AD trial : 20 km or12.75 miles
dogs should have a speed of 12 to 15 km/hour ( 7.8 to 9.5 miles/hour )
2 breaks included ( 15 minutes after 8 km/4 miles, 20 minutes after 7 km/4.6 miles ).

All of our normal "trained" club dogs were able to go speed and distance without any training ( most of the dogs hadn´t even seen a bicycle before ...) - I guess a healthy endurance trained dog ( and a wolf IS trained ) doesn´t mind to trot a lot more during one day.

Ibrahim, I guess I was able to run the 200 m distance ( 250 meters is more or less the distance the male class really has to run as fast as possible in the stadium ) at around 26 km/h ( 16.3 miles/hour ) with a dog on leash, maybe a littlebit faster . Only 2 well trained dogs were able to totally outrun me during the years.

I guess a well trained, motivated dog is able to go this speed for 600 - 800 metres but that´s a guess only, I am not able to do it ...

I would run him on asphalt pavement only in cold weather between November to February. We could have made better speed, but when we tried to increase speed he starts switching back legs and breaking the trot (I don't know how to explain it better). Yes we cycled alternatively on a bicycle, one driving the SUV, the other cycling.

Does he tend to pace or does he tend to gallop then?
He is very young, he needs to learn how to trot consistently.

The more training and routine, the more speed and endurance ( depending on health, conformation, and drive ).

It is a meaningless switch, neither a gallop or pace, if it should be one of both I would say a pace.
Have you ever seen zobra dance by Antony Queen? when he moves his feet quickly in a nice beat along with the fast music? just imagine Antony made a mistake and lost his beat along the music, slows almost to a stop to pick the beat, and then picks up again, that is what the dog does, or sort of. Sorry if I sound difficult to be understood

Whatever it is - at that moment the speed is too fast for him. Don´t overpace him, and don´t overwork him.
For the AD trial a dog has to be 16 months old - there is a reason for that.