Opinions on this Hip xray. - Page 1

I know there are many experienced on here at reading xrays. Your opinions are greatly appreciated. I am by no means an expert and I have my own opinion as to what I see but I want to see what you guys think. Thanks in advice, and one again, YOUR opinion IS greatly appreciated.  

How old? Sedated?

Mildly sedated, 6.5 month old male.  I know positioning could be alittle better.  Also, I edited the contrast to make it clearer to see. 

I would classify this puppy as borderline at this time and would rexray it in another 6 months.

I thought that if hips aren't good at a certain age, they won't get better as they get older.?  Just asking, not meaning to be sarcastic.  

IMO these are hips that could go either way in time. There appears to be some thickening of the neck on the left side of the xray, probably the right side of the dog. I'd like to see more definition of both necks and a tighter fit; the rims of the sockets aren't "C" shaped. If this were my dog, I'd send the xray to OFA, they are pretty good with evaluating prelims and see many more xrays of 6 months old GSD's than I have. A friend sends all her GSD puppies' prelims to OFA when they are 4 months old. So far, OFA has not missed on any of them; they said normal for breed and age and they have received goods or better at 24 months (and A stamps at 12 months or older).This could be a good hip for this breed and age. The pros know best,  I am only making an educated guess based on my experience with other large breeds, not all were GSD's.

I have had hips improve up to 3 years old;  so given that thought these only look fair to me.  BUT I would retake at a later date, probably 24 months unless keeping this dog is based on these hip x-rays and if that is the case I would redo at 12 months old.  Keep this dog very lean and muscled up;  no heavy roadwork until completely done maturing, swimming is great for low impact hips and to help to build muscles.  Best of luck  Nan

PS:  Any elbow x-rays on this dog.  Nan

No xrays of the elbows. We were more concerned about the hips. 

Thi dog is 6.5 mos old and weighes 51lbs. So he is lean. This is an unedited picture that shows his muscle mass alittle better. Very athletic boy. 

Hip conformation doesn't generally improve after the dog matures. Sometimes a better xray will make the hips look like they have changed for the better.  Or not sedating the dog might make the hips look tighter. The OFA borderline rating, rexray in _ months, was generated to give a second chance to a dog with hips that are well, borderline. It's a good idea to keep such a dog, any dog,  in good pyhsical shape, but odds are that's not going to keep him from developing HD if it's in his genes. Being overweight could make the HD worse, but it probably won't cause a dog with normal hips to become dysplastic.

 Nothing is fast or easy about breeding dogs, is it?