What is wrong with this dog (structurally)?

[corbinam]

Went to a show this weekend, and had a great time seeing all the shelties (33!)

I took some pictures (will post later), but this one dog really had me confused. I don't know much about structure, but something about this dog looks "off".

What is it?

[SheepOfBlue]

I agree... maybe not enough neck

[Justicemom]

Hard to say without putting your hands on, but he looks a bit short bodied. Shelties should be slightly longer then they are tall. That's the first thing that pops out at me.

[Phebe*DD]

I'm no expert and, like Justicemom said, it is hard to tell without putting your hands on the dog. It could be the way the dog is standing, but the ears in line with the feet, make it look like he has a straight front. Also, he doesn't seem to be standing square on his feet. From the position of his back feet, it looks like he's supporting most of his weight with his rear, which also makes me suspect not enough angulation in the shoulders.

[mbfrench]

I am no expert either...

But a short neck,short body pops out at me immediately.

[corbinam]

Thanks, guys. Those were all things that I noticed, too.

I think I was just surprised because this was the only dog that I looked at and thought "Wow...that's not right". And I know that the handler is a somewhat well-known breeder. Seems bizarre that the dog would be shown...or am I wrong?

[HopeShelties]

The angle isnt the best to judge from, and the dog isn't stacked particularly well, but the dog does appear to have too little neck, and the front looks to be fairly straight

[Noneeds4me]

It's a gorgeous dog. Just looks to me that the back legs aren't positioned right for the picture..almost like he/she's getting ready to go into a "sit" position. Beautiful dog though.

[Justicemom]

Originally Posted by Noneeds4me

Just looks to me that the back legs aren't positioned right for the picture..almost like he/she's getting ready to go into a "sit" position.

That's what I thought. Grizz likes to jump up in the air and it took a ton of work to teach him to stack up and put his legs back in a normal position and not have his weight over his hindend getting ready to jump. Believe me it creates a look of something that is not there.

[chen]

Originally Posted by Phebe*DD

I'm no expert and, like Justicemom said, it is hard to tell without putting your hands on the dog. It could be the way the dog is standing, but the ears in line with the feet, make it look like he has a straight front. Also, he doesn't seem to be standing square on his feet. From the position of his back feet, it looks like he's supporting most of his weight with his rear, which also makes me suspect not enough angulation in the shoulders.

good point