Maybe I have overlooked this, but I can't seem to find the answer to a situation I am having now.
I have a little German Shepherd girl that will be 3 months old, Aug. 2. I took her for her shots and worming a week ago and the vet. told me he heard a click in one of her hips, when extending the leg. This vet. knows of the heartbreak I just went through in having to put my other shepherd down, 3 days after Christmas. He was 12 years old. He had hip dysplasia and arthritus really bad, which eventually did him in. That last day of his life he couldn't even get up. I also took my new little shepherd, "Diva" to another vet. for a second opinion. He just happens to be the vet. who takes care of all the canines for the law enforcement in this area. He agrees with my vet. Anyway, in trying to possibly avoid this again, I spent months researching and talked with several different breeders before I chose this little girl. She is full German bred with the sire and dam both OFA good in hips and elbows. Now I know that alone doesn't guarantee me anything.
This breeder is quite professional and very highly recommended by our local AKC. According to the warranty on his pups, he will give me another pup, should there be a problem such as this within 30 days. I ABSOLUTELY, do not want another pup to replace her with. I love this little girl and we have bonded so well in the 3 weeks I have had her. I don't understand how people exchange their dogs like that. I will take Diva, this Wednesday for xrays to see what is going on with her hip. Dr. Zeyr says that it might not be anything, but he doesn't want to take it for granted either. Have any of you experienced this click in any of your dogs at this young age? HOW do I proceed to deal with this breeder? It is possible that she may need extensive surgery to correct this. Is the breeder obligated to return the money I paid for her,in order to help cover these expenses? With all the German Shepherds that he has, I know a less than perfect dog, means nothing to him. He certainly can't breed her. He will more than likely have her put to sleep which I can't stand the thought of. I have not contacted him yet. I was waiting to get the xrays back first. My 30 day warranty will end on the 5th of August. I really need your advice in a hurry. I value this board's opinion highly.I'll check back everyday for your reply. Thank you from a desperate mom.

You only have a 30 day guarantee on the hips? A contientious breeder usually guarantees the hips for about 24 months until the dog is old enough to be OFA'd. I would not trust any breeder who only gives you 30 days on the hips.

I know that you love your puppy, however, if she has hip dysplasia already, it's only going to get worse. I'm not trying to be heartless, but you have to take into consideration that she may be in pain, not to mention medical expenses in the future. If she has hip dysplasia that is noticeable already, it's probably going to be a huge problem. If you have her x-rayed, and the x-rays come back bad, your best bet would be to return her to the breeder. Unless specifically indicated in the contract (do you have a contract?), the breeder is not required to give you any money back. Most breeders require that you return the puppy if you choose to take a replacement, and yes, if the hip dysplasia is bad enough, they may put the animal to sleep. If they are suffering, that's not a bad thing. You're already aware of how horrible hip dysplasia can be because of your last dog.

Get her hips x-rayed. If they come back bad, you're going to have to take into consideration all the factors including the expense of future treatment and the puppy's comfort.

I'm very sorry to hear that you're having to go through this. It's got to be incredibly difficult. I wouldn't panic just yet though. See how the x-rays come out and then make a well thought out decision as to what to do.

Good luck.

Why is this thread in the Jumping Up On People topic?

Melissa, you gave some good advice. Nice post.

This breeder is quite professional and very highly recommended by our local AKC. According to the warranty on his pups, he will give me another pup, should there be a problem such as this within 30 days. Thanks, Butch. This part of her post really concerns me, for the simple fact that hip problems don't usually surface until a dog is quite a bit older. We're talking about a tiny puppy. If this truly is the only guarantee the breeder is offering, that, IMHO, is not the sign of a good breeder.

Stop me before I start giving plugs for certain breeders on this board again :rolleyes:

Looks like I am coming in at the right time on this thread... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> JK

He will more than likely have her put to sleep which I can't stand the thought of. This is something that bothers me. Are we breeders thought of in such bad light? I have 23 GSDs. I take pups back. You know what I do. TRAIN them, then resell em. If somehow I had a pup with bad hips, spay/neuter them place in a nice home. If it is crippling, I look at quality of life then decide. If euthanasia is the best for the pup. I understand. It wouldn't be easy. However, it would be my responsability.

Also, having the parents OFA, having 5 generations all OFAd doesn't mean you will not get HD. All that means is you stack the odds in your favor, roll the genetic dice, pray to the gentic gods and wait. Every breeder myself included will encounter HD at some point. Should the breeder give money back. That is his choice.

Well, Todd, I think part of the problem is that a lot of dog owners don't know what a breeder does with dogs that are returned due to hip dysplasia. It's good that you just clarified that, because I think to a lot of people, that's the one of the "great unknowns" of dog breeding.

I'm going through the same thing, except my dog isn't quite as young. As soon as my x-rays reappear, we'll have to see what the deal is....darn postal service <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" />

This is also the hard pert of having a dog with HD.
I raised and trained(at least I think so) my malelike most do. At one year old had hips x-rayed. They came back bad. We had that feeling but the x-rays confirmed my worst fears.

A young pup would be no trouble for me to return. A pup you raise with your family for a year is a different story.

So my suggestions to the original poster would be decide soon, if able too, decide sooner.

My present GSD has just about become a house dog due to his hip problems. He still gets around pretty good but unable to do any serious work.

Like Todd said; all you can do is put the odds in your favor and hope all goes well. if they don't make the best logical decission you can for the puip or dog.

You should consider your options. Here's a link I found. Hope it helps.

http://www.workingdogs.com/doc0090.htm

Just curious where you are located because if you are near NY I know of a phenominal ortho guy.If you look back to previous posts under this thread there is a discussion about him, his name is Dr.Whitefield.