The dog you posted ACampbell, is in no way an AKC dog. That dogs is purely west German, and his issue is not sagging, but roaching.
The extreme I refer to is the rear angulation of the dog. His angulation is actually pretty close to Justin's, so that is not his issue. The issue is a different extreme (his severely roached topline), which makes him look overangulated when in reality, if it weren't for that banana back he'd be very similar to Justin in structure.
Xeph, explain to me again why they make the GSD's stack like that?
Honestly...I don't think anyone really knows. It actually goes against what von Stephanitz wanted (shock). He wanted the dogs to be shown in a completely natural state with NO interference from the handler (freestacks for everybody). GSDs used to stack four square like other breeds (Wayyyyy back when).
The only overall answer I can give you is that people believe it makes the dog look more alert, like he's ready to spring into action at any moment (not that some of them could), and that they appear more watchful.
Would it be safe to say that many people that take the "stacked pictures" of their dogs OVER stack?
Yes and no. For example:
This is a beautiful dog...LOVE him standing...but I hate this stack with his hock flat on the ground. It makes him look more extreme than he really is and he looks unbalanced (in terms of angles, not physical standing balance). I haven't seen this dog in person or had my hands on him, but standing, I like him...he could just use a more flattering stack.
Justin winning his first point...it's a TERRIBLE picture. He's not particularly overstacked, but he doesn't look great. He looks very front heavy. The issue isn't me overstacking, it's the $#*@(&$#*( photog that is in such a rush that I don't have time to set up my dog properly.
While some dogs ARE purposely stretched to ridiculous proportions, at shows the issue is usually time. You don't GET to make your dog look the best (nevermind you) unless it's a group placement or BIS (and sometimes not even then x.x).
Why do you think people don't use that as a reference and breed extreme dogs?
That dog is actually Hatter (Covy-Tucker Hill's Manhattan), and I think he was fantastic. He was actually a small male, but very charismatic. I asked that same question once, and nobody actually ANSWERED it, they just picked the dog apart (useful right?). Overall what it comes down to is interpretation of the standard.
The GSD standard calls for angulation in the rear as close to a right angle as possible (the shoulder blade is also supposed to make an angle of 90 degrees), however, where you create that right angle varies (I can get pictures if necessary). The other thing is, should it make as close to a right angle as possible while standing naturally...or in a stacked position?
Interpretation.
Things like the dog above are a BLATANT disregard for the standard, but where you create a right angle in the hindquarter? Fully open to interpretation and thus, subject to human "error".
