Read Before U Breed:

[sheplovr]

Hip dysplasia is by far the most common condition. This is caused by the malformed femur head ( thigh bone ) failing to fit into a shallow acetabulum ( hip socket ) thus causing partial or complete dislocation. In severe cases the dog will have great difficulty in walking and getting up he may also 'bunny hop' or gallop in preference to trotting. A dog may also show changes in his or her temperament. A dog who was previously even-tempered may become bad tempered even a biter. And then on the other hand there could be a badly dysplastic dog in x-ray terms but to the trained eye show no sign. Then there is the dog that can move soundly and even jump and show no signs of been dysplastic can be x-rayed and have bad hips, there's just no way of telling unless they are radiographed by the veterinarian. There are many degrees of this complaint and a G.S.D. With minor or moderate HD is perfectly capable of leading a normal life. As this is a hereditary complaint, no dog can be described as being 'free' or 'clear' as it is impossible to know what its genetic make-up is. On no account should a badly dysplastic shepherd be used in a breeding program. In bad cases of dysplasia surgical removal of the femur head has been reasonably successful, also an operation called pectineal nyotomy which involves cutting the pectineal muscle on one or both sides of the inner thigh. Hip replacement is another alternative but can be very expensive, but it has been successful.

Good hips with nicely shaped femoral heads,fitting well into nicely shaped sockets

Bad hips with poor femoral heads both side have extra bone growth and very poor sockets