GERMAN SHEPHERD HIPS

When I was a kid we got a German Shepard from good lines too, but somehow he wound up the unlucky one with severe hip displasia.  I would ask the vet to see what they think and if the vet thinks he/she should do an X-ray at 6 months (before that it's hard to really tell the level).  But just by looking at how they walk you should have obvious signs, especially if it is severe HD.

^ Not true really.  There are some signs SOMETIMES that indicate hip dysplasia when they're walking, but it's rare unless they're lame.
 
Get prelim x-rays at 6 months of you're worried, do official certification at 2.
 
A dog's lineage can be clear for 5 generations, doesn't mean yours will be.  It just increases the chances he won't have it.
 
Also, if the parents and other dogs in the pedigree were a stamped, what can be a normal in Germany can read OFA poor/fair here

We have a gsd pup who comes from german bloodlines and has had no hip problems (and hopefully never will).  Up until now we haven't concerned ourselves over his hips or anything.. until he started limping.  And that just turned out to be Pano.

I'm a little lost... are you worried becuase he's limping? or just because of the way he walks?  Our gsd also looked quite awkward an lanky when he walked until just recently.  I wouldn't worry too much if i were you.  If your pup is really in pain, I'm sure you'll notice it.

if he comes from a good reputable breeder i honestly wouldnt worry too much.. Did his breeders have a garuntee on his hips (for example: my dane has a 3 year garuntee against any genetic hip problems)..also my friend has a 3 year old GSD he is also very sloped, there is nothing wrong with his hips but people point out all the time that hes walking like his hips hurt, but his hips are perfectly fine, its just the way he walks and his slope

[sm=tex.gif]Thank you everyone for responding so quickly.  Let me answer a few questions.  The breeder guaranteed NOTHING.  What concerns me is his very long legs compared to the slope in his rear.  Also he has a "swish" when he walks.  When he runs its a perfect lope (you know that shepherd lope)  he plays like crazy and dosent seem to have pain.  When I touch him he dosent seem to have pain.  He is not crying or laying down often and he is not biting at himself.   So many people are making comments about his legs and hips I could SCREAM. People always worry about shepherds.  When I was young I had a belgian.  She had good hips.  Lived until 14.  I want to do all I can for this guy he is my heart.  A perfect puppy and such a sweet personality.  I didnt pick him, he picked me.  I want everybodys advice on this site.  THANK YOU SOOOOOO MIUCH.  Fondly, Michele

Hopefully this will offer some hope.  My past two shepherds have had hip problems, and quite frankly, with a bit of TLC and common sense, they lived full and happy lives-Beau was almost 12 when we had to put him down, and I truly don't feel that his hips were the primary cause, and our present dog Payton has tough days, but for the most part, at 6 years old, still loves to do nothing better than to play hard. 
 
At six months old, with a large breed dog, you still have a great deal of growth and development in front of you, and yes indeed, the awkwardness may resolve of its own accord.  Common sense says that exercise is terribly important, but to be careful of the types of activity.  Games that require a great deal of jumping probably aren't your best choice-but they never are with a developing pup whose bones and cartilage haven't fully matured.  You can always make sure to buy dog food formulated for large breed animals which will have plenty of the nutrients to make sure that growth and development are optimum-Royal Canin even puts out dog food specially formulated for the needs of German Shepherds.  Many foods like Nutro Max, Nature's recipe, etc have formulas which include the Glucosamine and Chondroitin which may also help the joints to develop and preserve them as the dog becomes older.  And keep your dog lean-not skinny, but lean, so the strain is not on the joints from impact of carrying extra weight.  With all large breed dogs, people seem to think that bigger is better, and often times the dogs actually grows too quickly and that in itself can cause problems. 
 
Finally, if you trust your vet, consult with him about a program of diet and exercise which is meant to be preventative of future problems.  Ask about the merits of supplementation with vitamins, glucosamine, and chondroitin to further protect the areas of concern.  Get a feel on the appropriate weight and during the puppy phase, appropriate weight and size gain.  Your dog probably won't be fully physically mature until 18-24 months old-Ask if you should discontinue puppy food now and start a good adult food with specialized nutrition to keep your dog from gaining too much weight or growing too quickly.  Be alert to signs of the dog favoring his hips or back legs-you will notice because they seem to avoid sitting and when they do sit or lie down, it is slowly and gingerly compared to their other activities. 
 
I wish you well, and hope that your pup is just going through and awkward and gangly phase which seems really common to large breed dogs.  At times, they can look like assorted pieces from several dogs instead of one dog.  Usually, it does balance out.
 
 

Post his pic. What lines are in his pedigree?

Hi..yes if you could post a pic it might be helpful...My old GSD had Hip Dysplasia I lost her 2 years ago at 12 years old...Kayla in the pic is 17 months old German Blood line ..Does your baby when you walk her walk sideways.? like her butt is trying to catch up to her front? When she runs does she bunny hop? ..I think to put you're mind at ease you should get the xrays.. wish I could help you more.. Hopefully it's nothing to worry about

[sm=tex.gif]Thank you everyone for all your help.  I feel soooo much better now.  Let me clear things up about my pup.  He is 5 months 1 week old today.  I got him when he was 46 days old.  Way too young to be taken from momma.  But breeder said they were ready to go.  She really did not want to let him go because she wanted him for herself.  His mom had 4 pups, first litter, 2 male, 2 female.  I wanted a male.  When we went to her house she brought up all four pups.  We were sitting crossed leg on the floor.   She put the pups down.  3 huddled closely.  One came charging over on my lap and started to nip at my face and hair.  Guess what, he chose me.  I took him home.  He is gorgeous really.  People stop to look at him.  I try to explain to people hes a pup.  Today he is 70 lbs.  no fat whatsoever.  He is huge.  He runs like the wind with that typical shepherd lope.  He dosent favor his legs or hips.  And he is not in pain.  As far as his food goes.  He eats "Bravo" (turkey or chicken blend) and beef.  NO KIBBLE!  Vet said if I could afford to feed him what I am feeding him go for it.  He eats 5-6 lpounds a day.  Dogs do not eat kibble in the wild nor do they eat milk bones.  I also give him raw marrow bones and knuckle bones which he loves.  For treats he gets venison jerkey or lamb jerkey, or fish jerkey by Canz.  Yes it is all very expensive.  But he is worth it.  I do put vitamins in his food and use a powered something or other for his coat.  Vet said a perfect shepherd.  Vet said German bloodline with a normal slope.  Its funny tonite I went to my "Bravo"  distributor for more food and the 2 ladies Diane & Donna just love him.  They said DONT WORRY he will grow into those legs.  Really thank you everyone for all your help.  I will sleep better tonight.  Check out my Bravo distributors they are 2 really great ladies.  pawsuponhealth@aol.com  Fondly, Michele