There have been many debates in the past few years following Dog shows (Westminster, National Dog Show etc) where German Shepherd Dogs (GSD) with excessively sloped backs have won awards, because the GSD that wins is basically deformed.

This is a petition for the American Kennel Club and the German Shepherd Dog Club of America to ban the breeding and showing of German Shepherd Dogs with excessively sloping backs.

There is so much history behind the German Shepherd dog breed. They are a proud dog, intelligent, loyal and very loved by their owners. 

The current environment of dog shows, which is promoting excessive downward back slope in a dog breed that is known to have hip problems, is not only wrong and serves no purpose, but it puts the dogs at risk for major health issues.

It also means that GSD dogs and puppies that aren't intended for the show ring but rather will be sold as pets are possibly at even more risk. 

Additionally, people who are facing high costs of daily living for themselves are facing even more vet bills due to unhealthy dogs, from an issue that is completely man-made and utterly un-necessary.  

German Shepherd dogs today are prone to hip and elbow dysplasia and degenerative myelopathy, which is a condition where the lower portion of the spine begins to literally disintegrate in later life, and also osteoarthritis.

Physical therapy, stabilizing braces, medications and surgery may be needed to address these musculoskeletal malformations in German Shepherd dogs.

To sum up, this is a petition for the American Kennel Club and the German Shepherd Dog Club of America to ban the breeding and showing of GSD's with excessively sloping backs to prevent further breeding of animals already predisposed to hip and joint issues, moving further away from the strong healthy working dog they were.