5 Month old white GSD cow hocked help please - Page 1

Hello Everyone I'm new here, but I was wondering if I could get some suggestions on my pup. He is almost 5 months old and his back legs seem to not be working right. I got him at 12 weeks from a local breeder and he had problems holding his hind end up when he walked. I was told that he was inside on a tile floor and this caused him to slip a lot and that he was just clumsy with a weak rear end.  The vet evaluation that came with him actually stated "weak rear limbs", but nothing more about anything permanent. When searching the internet I found that the term for the way his legs look is called "cow hocked".  I was wondering if this could lead to hip dysplasia or problems down the road. I had a GSD growing up and I had to put him down at 16 years old due to hip dysplasia, I am really hoping that this is just something he will grow out of.  It freaks me out he loves to lay with his legs straddled and I think that doesn't help, he has problems getting up this way but wont stop laying like that. It almost looks like he's "doubled jointed" or really flexable. I am taking him to the vet sometime this week because its stressing me out so much :(  If anyone had any information on cow hocked gsd puppies I'd really appreciate some input. He runs goofy and I haven't had him long but I love him to death. His legs have gotten a lot better since I first got him, but Im still very worried.  I have felt around his hips and it doesnt bother him for me to touch them or even more his legs around, he loves kicking them when I rub his belly :)  If you could help ease my mind any information would be very appreciated. Thank you, Gen.

Do take this puppy to your vet asap. You need to put your mind at rest. I cannot offer you much more advise than that, but I can offer you my prayers that your puppy is OK. I know how heart breaking it is to have a puppy that you're worried about. In the meantime, no rough play, give him lots of rest periods, gently correct him when he lays splayed out, by picking him up & placing him in a more appropriate position, & praising him for laying that way. Puppies often walk 'goofy', with wobbly rear ends, & young pups also can look very cow hocked, and grow out of it. My daughters' GSD mix lays splayed out like that, & she's 13 years old with no hip problems, ever. So, chin up, keep loving that pup, & get him to a vet as soon as you can, so you can get the real story on his back legs. Good luck & God Bless. jh

16 year old. most old dogs get hip problems as do old people maybe the old dog just had to much wear and tear old aged dog of all breeds get sloppy hind legs even itty bitty dog .yes do get the youg one to the vet have an xray to see if any thing else could be going on the pelvis comes to mind also

I just wanted to say thank you for your replies! It means a lot to me I was very concerned, luckly I got him (Diego) to the vet today and they said he just looks kinda goofy! Aww thats obvious but I'm so relieved, thank you for your prayers kalibeck. You were also right the vet just said encourage him to lay normal and no jumping exercises. He said that his joints are still very flexable and with regular exercise he should be fine.  Since he walks fine and only sits and lays in the "frog dog" position it should straighten the more his muscles develop. Thanks again and I'm happy I found this site and great people with intelligent input. :)

Good luck with your puppy and good job in getting him to a vet.  If you had a GSD that lived to 16 - good for you!  Your new puppy will be very happy, I'm sure.  I know you love your puppy, but just a kind word about the purchase: in future put your mind at ease (and your wallet, too, considering that "weak rear-end" puppies are going to cost you a lot more in the long run), and avoid those puppies.  The "oh, it's a tile floor and he's slipping" story is a CROCK.  Now you admit that the breeder did say, amid all the other excuses, that he had a weak rear, which they couldn't deny since it was in the vet report, so you knew what you were getting into, but really, a young pup which should be full of life and strength, should NOT have trouble "holding his hind end up."

Anyway, with your vet's help and your great track record of teenage German Shepherds, I hope you're off to just as many happy years (and belly rubs!) with Diego.

Thank you also and I look forward to a ton of belly rubs hahah :) I figured he would be okay I just hated being unsure.  He only had really trouble walking the first 4 days I had him after that he just looked goofy, so who knows if he was telling the truth.  I like to give people benefit of the  doubt.  It has just always sat in the back of my mind.  He's definately clumsy but I'm going to keep praying thats it, I'm clumsy too so we are quite the pair :) Thanks again, Gen