It is sad to say it is only one of many breeds that, IMO Man has 'fiddled' with far too much. The original breed must have been far healthier with less problems.

Definately some breeds have been meddled with to almost comic-like proportions and they are a but a shadow of their original ancesters.

When I look back on lots of these old pics, I often prefer the breeds as they originally were!

I do agree with you to some extent, but i think its lots to do with bad breeding practices, but thats why I have rescues - bruno is a slightly taller than most you see staffie, he is what many class as an old style big boy !!

Well bred others though are still stunning and there are many on here !!!

i did a presentation at college few months ago - party on thist topic...

shame my old computer went bust else i would have shared it.....



GSD are to me the most shocking in change - their backs....

pugs and bulldogs were others i included - very scary changes

shocked about the shar pei as well :s

Thanks all, great contributions. Sad to see how some dogs have changed for the worse but good to stay educated in these things.

I didn't realise there was much difference in the original staffs to tadays ones.

Am I right in saying the main difference's are being shorter & less terrier & more bulldog like?

Sorry tu wake you up but there is a huge difference between the 2 dogs

the old one stands higher on his legs and is less masive than the younger one. Mesure the proportions on the foto's and calculate the difference in % Think you'll be in for a surprice

Greetings

Johan

Also agree that SBT have changed so much over the years.
seen a dramatic change is the head and muzzle for starters.
So many have been bred shorter in the muzzle,that can lead to issues on its own,also whats happend to the terrier?So many today are way to bulldoggy looking.
Some look even pug,boston terrier and boxer like with froggy eyes,and huge heads etc.A sbt should be a balanced, fit looking dog with a nice tuck up and not have a chest low to the ground either.they have changed so much now there are so many differnt looking types within the breed,but still love the breed as i always have and alway will.

I have an Estrela book which shows a couple with an Estrela and a St Bernard at the turn of the century. The St Bernard is almost identical to the Estrela. The Estrela is very much like today's dogs but the saint Bernards have obviously been bred for exaggerated size since then. They were agile dogs without droops and dewlaps before they were 'improved'. Will scan it later if I get a chance.

I think the most disturbing and upsetting thing is not the fact that the dogs have changed appearance, but the fact that in most instances it has some at a high price in terms of health of the dog & breed in general.

I mean I recently watched the pedigree dogs exposed video online and the thing I found most shocking was that many breeders seemed to feel that breeding for physical features or 'breed standard' was more important than breeding for health and function.

The GSD is a really shocking example of this...... many of the dogs now have such a humpback / sloping back and bad legs that they do not move around properly at all..... what was wrong with the old straight backed style of dog (that they police still use) and who decided that it would be a good idea to push the dog in a different direction?