Hi Peggy. In reading the quoted messages between you and the breeder, I have a slightly different view than some of the other respondents.

I don't believe your breed said "did your vet tell you that running on hardwood floors can cause HD?" I read it based on what you quoted - that the breeder asked if your vet told you that running on hardwood floors could cause hip injuries. (paraphrased) That is two VERY different things on a sensitive, yet IMO important topic for GSD's and several other popular breeds.

I'm just taking this at face value - the way I read it, you were informing the breeder of the situation with your pup, and he/she responded with some very common advice that I've heard a million times over - minimize possibilities for dogs doing the splits on slick floors, minimize jumping, etc. especially while the bones/joints are growing/forming.

In no way am I belittling the importance of minimizing and hopefully managing HD out of the breed. But I dare you to find a breeder who has whelped many litters, that has NOT ever had a pup turn up with HD - even out of A-Normal or OFA Excellent parents. I realize there are craptacular breeders out there who don't care, but I also realize that HD occurs in litters coming from the most conscientious of breeders.

Since the breeder in question did NOT say "did you know that sliding on a slick floor can cause HD...." then I don't think it's fair to put those words in that breeders mouth, based on only this information.

Beth

If I did this correctly, here are a couple of pictures of Buddy

The other is of my two boys, Rocky (red collar) & Kodi - "If love could have saved them, they would be with me forever"




Thanks,
Peggy

That didn't come out right, I was trying to just post the links not the picture - what am I doing wrong? "Photo bucket"

Thanks,

Did you copy paste the url? I think to get just a link, you gotta copy paste the web address? Maybe others will know more.

Good lookin rotties! Nice, rich colors. Wow.

Thank you,

Will try that again to see if just link will show - If Not Mods please delete

http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n65/shamrock_016/Buddy11-8-06004.jpg

Hi Peggy!

What beautiful babies you have

On the advice of my Doc I, too, wrote my breeder last Wednesday to let her know about True. I thought, as you did, that it's better she have that information and, like you, I certainly didn't want anything from her. Then I waited and waited for a response and became more angry every day that passed without a word back. I can totally understand that news like mine was probably not what she wanted to hear but to say nothing...?

She wrote me back Sunday, a very nice note, saying how sorry she was about the diagnosis. She said, as someone already has here, that a breeder can do everything right and responsibly and still produce a pup with HD. She offered to replace him if I wished (NO WAY!) and was not at all defensive or challenging.

I probably would think twice about another pup from this particular breeding (even though both parents are OFA clear) but I wouldn't rule out using this breeder again either. God is in the details.

True is doing really well...no limping since Saturday!

Warm regards,
Sarah

I don't thin k the breeder is blaming the hardwood floors, just saying if the dog slips on them a lot it might be a factor. Angela, what responsiblity should the breeder take if there was no guarantee in the first place? Buyer Beware, right? In this case, I sure am happy the buyer is going to take care of the problem. Lucky dog.

Beth,

Your right, that is what she meant. I received another e-mail from her today thanking me for letting them know. They had one other litter from these two dogs and so far mine is the only one that they know of with any problems.

She also told me that because of this they will not breed those two dogs together again, not wanting to take the risk of it happening again.

Thanks Everyone,
Peggy