Re: Help? Thanks all for the info - Page 1

Thank you all for the replies..it's been very helpful.  Today cooler heads prevail. This dog has won our hearts in such a big way. He is a gem of a dog, been working with him every single day - and through all of his pain he continues to astound us. When I'm across the field and we are waiting for the command, the dog actually nods his head as if to say okay we're set..just say the word.  It's really cool. Too bad he's hurting so bad. Just not fair.

I have another question?

So say we accept the offer of a replacement pup. How can we be sure that the next one will not turn out the same as this guy with all of his problems.  Sure they will 'hopefully' use other parents, however the breeder practices will still be the same. How can I be sure?

Mason:  You cannot blame the breeder for all the hips that go bad.
www.schutzhundsportdogsinc.com   

YOu can't be sure.  As someone else mentioned, sometimes HD just crops up out of no where. It happens even in the most carefully bred litters.  If the dogs are listed on this data base, look at the hip ratings of the dogs listed in the pedigree as far back as you can.  If they are american dogs, or dogs that have been improted and subsequently rated, go to the OFA site and look them up to see if they are rated.  You want to see Excellent and Good primarily, with not too many Fairs.   If the dogs are in Germany, look for the equivelent "a"  ratings.

Another thing you could do is get an older pup or young dog from the breeder.  One who has had preliminary  OFAs done or PennHips.  Or if over a year, look for a  dog who has it's "a" stamp rating if from Germany.

I am sure others more knowledgable about breeding and HD will come give you some advise about what else to look for on the pedigree to try to insure good hips. 

If you get another little pup, there is a lot you can do from the time the pup is 8 weeks to 2 years to try and improve the odds of getting a passing score or at least lessen the severity.  Some people think HD has a huge environmental factor, some think that that's a load of bull.  No one has all the answers yet on this disease.

You asked how long the recovery was when my dog had a hip replaced.  It was less than a month, and he was up and walking (well, hopping) before he came home, and that was a 10 year old dog.  One thing to keep in mind is "dogs can't read xrays".   Basically, as long as the dog is OK, the dog is OK.  You need to be really good at reading your dog because a lot of dogs are very stoic, so that if she does have pain, you can take steps to aleviate it.

I think you said she was 10 months when diagnosed?  Is it in one hip?  What made you get the xrays, was she acting painful or limping?  Finally, are you sure about the xrays?  Many people here are very good at reading them.  If you can, you should post it, just so people can get an idea of what her situation is.

Hi, Thanks for your response.

I don't want to blame the breeder - it's a knee jerk reaction when an animal that you've spent thousand of dollars on, and know that you'll spend thousand more ( and even then it might not even work??). Well It's downright heartbreaking.

Not to mention that we've spent every waking moment  looking after, training him, helping him to become the well rounded boy that we knew he could be and then just when you think you've got them over those 'terrible twos' of digging and chewing everything in sight.  You find out that your best buddy is going to suffer for the rest of his life.  I haven't even finished patching the lawn yet. To learn that his quality of life will never be what it should be..It's devastating.

The Breeder did say she would honor her contract. With a replacement..I've sent her an email but not heard anything back yet. I'm just so bewildered over this whole thing - how will I know that I am making the right choice with the next puppy? 

We did our homework with this one..his Dad is a 4 x VA (US-Can) SCHH3  Kkl 1. The pup was older when we got him 4 months - anyway..at this point we just want him kept pain free, for him to live a quality life even though there may not be quantity and for the next pup?  to be healthy.

Thanks for listening. Rambling on here... and Mr. Trump (we are now calling him) needs to go out for a pee.

Please dont tell me its the same scumbag from Abotsford BC Canada that did this to you TOO.If it is BE VERY CAREFULL cause she says one thing and then will RENEG even though you do as I did which is send all the x-rays,specialist report etc.Let me know if it is her as maybe we can pool some money and get a lawyer together to fight her legally.

If it is the same person I'm thinking of, she keeps a very sharp lawyer on retainer and is very experienced in fighting off all who would oppose her.  Nothing will stand in her way.  And money only goes one way in her operation, that is incoming.

Mason,

I sent you a PM......did you receive it???

Mason:  ;It is just like when you kids get married and they have their first three children and one is  diagnosed at 3 mos old or birth as  " DOWNS SYNDORME        who do you blame."?      some never know where the genes come from...some markers can be known....You have the same synerio in the dog world.. You can have ofa parents and still have bad hips in half of the litter or only one or two.....or none....Ive seen out of every litter of a well know podium dog ,,,many dogs with bad hips   .....no way to tell and it is your call.....try to look at the good side.....the next pup may not pass ofa...but he may have a better hip line and not be in pain......many a pup has borderline or fair and never limps and never is in pain...

No way , i would have a pup knowing it is pain.....I have seen dogs suffer for years,,,silent in their pain , and I will not keep a pup that I know is in pain......

The german shepherd is one of the toughest dogs in breeding and many times they act as if nothing is wrong...but if you know the line , you can spot it.....

You have to make a decision based on what you can tolerate..,,not what if......there are no certainties in life..,.I ask Iluvmigsd , the other day,,,,did she know about         a  Walk in the dark?    she ask me to explain......Do you know about a Walk in the Dark? 

If you do not    just   Google        walk in the dark and spend a little time going thru all 10 pages of what comes up...if you read all ,,,you will find the answer to what I mean....no use taking up board space for explaination....it is a little different for every man ,or woman ,,,male or female