Hi everyone,
I have a german showline male gsd. He is currently 3 months old. I am worried about his hips. He is still wobbly/loose when it comes to his hindlegs. The breeder said that since he is a big boy it is going to take some time till his legs strengthen. She told me not to worry but i am. He is also showing cow hocks but it is not too severe. Will the cow hocks go away? What exercises can i do to strengthen his hips? Should i be worried about his hips or is this looseness something young puppies go through. thanks again. sorry for all the questions but i am worried. <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

My name is Scott

I'm assumming this is a North American German Shepherd?
If it is of European descent I might be worried!
Could you emotionally deal with returning the dog to the breeder?

My first advise would be to purchase health insurance immediately
It covers everything your dog has never had before
So if you have not as yet discussed this problem with your Vet
This perceived problem would be covered by the insurance
Therefore back up to breeders advice
I think elite plans cover up to $5000.00 on hips around there
This is better insurance than most breeders contracts

Are you supplementing your dogs diet in any way?
What diet are you on?
Some diets and supplements can cause excellerated growth
There are strengthen exercises that you can do, core exercise so to speak, that will strengthen muscles that support these joints

Things to avoid
Forced, rough obedience, pushing the dog into a sit
Play with other dogs
Too much ball work
Long walks
Being walked on leashed, I'm assumming they pull
Stairs
To much time on concrete
and slippery floors.

Would be happy to advise further if above questions answered

Good luck

Thanks for the advice. He is an import from Germany. I do have insurance so that is not an issue. I feed him royal canine maxi junior. I also give him goats milk once a day. He plays with the ball but not a lot. I always monitor him. He goes for short walks several times a day and he does not pull on the leash.I also allow him to walk outside on his own without any force. He walks on grass a lot and when he goes for walks then he walks on the pavement. I specifically keep him off slippery floors. When he is not outside i keep him in his crate. He trots fine and he does not bunny hop. I guess sometimes i worry too much but i'm just trying to be careful. The breeder is excellent and i speak to her on his progress all the time. He looks like he will be a big dog. Several people have told me not to worry but i can't help it. Is there anything else i can do. is it too early to x-ray his hips?

Were his mother's hips certified? Did you ask to see copies of the certification? 4 months is not too young to have hips x-rayed, BUT, its only about a 75% HD detection rate, and a 90% detection rate for normal hips at that age. In any case, most vets do not know how to accurately x-ray hips so you will have to find one that does work with the OFA regularly and whose x-ray series on dogs hold up from early x-rays to later ones. In other words you will need to find a vet that can nail HD in a young pup and have that diagnosis hold up 2-3 years later in most of his cases. Your regular vet may refer you to a specialist.
Good luck to you.
Michelle

hi michelle,
Both his parents are certified for hips. She Sent me copies of the certification. All the dogs in his pedigree have been certified for healthy hips. Thanks again for the advice.

Well, then your pup has a great start, genetics plays a huge role in developing HD. So go ahead and find a vet that can ease your mind! Good luck to you.
Michelle

Things that I think I heard you say
(1) You are not willing to return the dog to the breeder
(2) A 4 month old import pup that does not pull on the leash
I suggest you follow your breeders advice on diet etc.. to the letter
Imports should be genetically predisposed to pull, lunge when posted ( walking on leash is a form of posting )
Hip Dysplasia is a genetic condition, this dose not rule out injury
There is something that knaws at my stomach, when you say you have a 4 month old german import male that does not pull on the leash when he goes for walks with you!

I was told that if a dog developes HD it is not primarily because of genetics, I heard something like 20-30% genetic and 70-80% from diet or injuries. Does anybody know how much genetics plays in developing HD? Thanks.

Kim

 Quote:

I was told that if a dog developes HD it is not primarily because of genetics, I heard something like 20-30% genetic and 70-80% from diet or injuries. ......

I think the existence of HD, and its progression, or its effect on the dog, are two different things with different genetic bases.

My understanding is that it has been proven, positively, to have a genetic basis.  The genetic origin in each case can vary from 25% to 85%.   But environmental factors can influence the expression, or course, of the disease by maybe 50%.

The Baker Institute has a .pdf that explains it better, and also explains that the forces behind the disease's expression (its effect on the dog) are still under intense scrutiny.

bakerinstitute.vet.cornell.edu

Thanks Connie <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />