I just did a prelim on my 6 1/2 month old male GSD. I knew what the results would be. Although from good OFA'd lines, his left hip socket is horrible. But he shows no signs of it bothering him, granted he is quite young. But I know of a 7 month old at one of the Schutzhund clubs I train with that can barely walk. My question is, and we are sending the x-rays to a specialist, is do I follow my vet's current recommendations and my heart and keep training and letting him fetch the ball, which are his loves. Or stop it all. The only jumping he does is in and out of the suburban and the little send aways in protection. He's everything I ever wanted in a working dog. Drives for tracking and protection are super. His focus for the ball and the quick sits and downs are great. He lives for his 2-3 times a day fetch game in the back yard. But the male's owner said that I'll make his hip go bad really fast. I'm so upset, especially when I lost my "heart" dog, Zoey, in April 11 days shy of her third birthday to a motor neuron disease that we couldn't stop. I don't want to hurt my dog, but don't want to put him in "glass bubble" and make him miserable. Sorry so long, but this has been an upsetting day. Cathy, Chance, Jaden and angel Zoey snuggled deep inside my heart

A lot of dogs have a higher pain tolerance than other dogs, so if it is not bothering him now he is probably a tuff cookie. As he ages it will eventually start to bother him a little. I would not work him. He is young pluss he has this dysplesia. Remember that his body will not be fully formed untill he is closer to a year old, excessive fetch or joggin can harm any puppy regardless of the dysplesia, infact lots of fetch and jogging for a puppy can bring about dysplesia. I would also limit jumping in and out of the truck. Depending on the amount of times a day or weeks he is jumping in and out of the truck can also effect him. If your able to help lift him in and out or get a ramp.
Two thoughts come to mind as something you can do. First, add some glucosimine to his diet with MSN. 2nd look into "gold bead" implants. I have a friend who has a shepherd same problem , he just got it done to his dog. I haven't talked to him yet as to how it has or has not helped, but he's a smart guy and did a lot of reseach on it before hand and is hopefull that it will help out. Other then that IMO take it easy with this dog, and get another one if you want to work it or train hard. This dog will most likely work himself to death to please you because he is a shepherd. I think it is up to you to limit what he does, for the betterment of his health.

Good luck..Chet

Cathy I'm sorry to hear the bad news. In my opinion you should limit his exercise to swimming which prevents any real load being placed on his hip socket. This is about the best exercise any dog could have. Teach him to retreive his ball from the water and I think you'll save alot of wear and tear on you're dog's hip. I would not let him jump in and out of the truck. Elimanate (sp?)any kind of jumping altogether until he matures more. Maybe then you might want to have him re-xrayed 6 to 18 months down the road when he is two years old. It's alwas a good idea to get a second opinion or have additional x-rays taken by someone more experienced or specializes in this. If you're Vet told you to let this dog continue life as usual I think I would find another Vet. I would also recommend putting you're dog on Cosequin. If you don't know anything about it do a search and do some reading. I use it because I know it works!

Good Luck!

Glenn

I'm so sorry to hear about that! I second Glenn on both the swimming and Cosequin. I had a Rottie with questionable hips, and he, too, LOVED that ball. So we did the retrieve in water deal, and it kept him in good shape without stressing the growing bones. As an adult, he was never troubled with it, and he lived to the age of 8 (he died of a blood clot - can't spell the correct term).

Used to use Cosequin on horses - really kept jumpers and eventers in excellent shape despite the pounding!