Stack Question

My dog is straight hocked or sickeled. I can't remember exactly what he called it. If I streach him out he doesn't appear this way, but he appears long. If I don't streach him he appears in porportion but his back end is straight and his butt is to hight up. Which way is better for the show ring?

 

I think what you are refering to is being straight stiffled.

The standard states that the dog should be square from the point of the shoulders to the point of the hip. A dog that is long bodied is not square...IE they are longer than they are tall from the point of the shoulder to the point of the hip.

Straight stiffles is also a fault...Standard states....

IV. Back end 30 points



A. Loin



1. Broad and long enough to square the dog. Too short can interfere with a dogs flexibility. Too long a loin causes the dog to carry excessive weight and affect a dogs agility and quickness..



B. Hip



1. Long and sloping with adequate width. This can be judged by the set of the tail, which should be low.



2. Ideal slope of hip should be 30 degrees to the ground.



C. Proportions of the back leg.



1. The femur should be of a length so that the stifle joint is proportioned in the upper 1/3 of the rear assembly.



2. The tibia-fibula is the longer bone of the rear assembly



3. The length of the metatarsal is moderate, with muscles that attach equally on each side of the bone so that the hocks move parallel to each other, deviating neither in or out. The metatarsals bones, hock and lower part of the tibia will be light, fine and springy.



4. Rear angulation - ratio between the lengths of the bones and the muscles which attach on these bones, causes a bent stifle which leads to a well bent hock. This contributes to the natural springiness that is desired in the rear assembly.



5. The muscle attachment is long and deep, well past the joint , which causes the muscles to appear smooth, but defined. (Not bunchy).



Faults: short or flat hip, straight stifle, double jointed or slipped hock, cow hocked, bunchy muscles.


Try practicing stacking your dog in front of a mirror. Keep his feet under him. Here is a photo example below.


Hope that helps you some.