When people say “German Shepherd slant back,” they’re usually talking about the show-line German Shepherds (especially American and some West German show lines) that have a noticeably sloped back and hindquarters compared to working-line GSDs, which have a straighter, more level topline.

Why the slant exists

It’s largely the result of selective breeding for appearance in dog shows, where a “rear-angulated” stance became a preferred look in some show standards.

Breeders emphasized a long, sweeping croup (the rump area) and bent hind legs, which makes the back appear to slope down from shoulders to tail.

This is not how early GSDs looked — the original working dogs (early 1900s) had straighter backs, more like modern working lines or police dogs.

Controversy

Supporters of the slant claim it gives better hind-leg drive and a “flowing trot.”

Critics argue it can contribute to joint stress and mobility problems like hip dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy, and arthritis.

Many working-line breeders (military, police, sport) avoid extreme slanting, prioritizing function over show aesthetics.