A dog can have a roach no matter how slight or severe. The other thing that we talk about as breeders is down at the shoulders a dip at the shoulders. You can stack a dog to make this go away on the table- but when he/she moves ( walks/runs) in the ring it is clearly visible. Handlers who have a dog with a bad topline work on teaching the dog how to stand to give the visual effect of a straight topline. You learn which is the best pace to help give the correct visual effect - moving your dog fast in the ring or moving more slowly. Fast is usually what is done. IMO slow just makes it more pronounced. A handler may get on the floor to stack the dog or may free bait if the dogs has learned how to stretch to correct this when in the ring. You will also notice this when they are relaxed and in their normal standing position. |