Hip Dysplasia is nothing more than Canine arthritis that can sometimes occour early in life. Hip Dysplasia occurs amoung all dog breeds all
animals (including humans), .Hip Dysplasia is more common among large breed dogs than small breeds, German Shepherds being 38 on the list
of commonality. Hip Dysplasia occurs in different levels of severity. Dogs with Dysplasia are graded as Mild, Moderate or Severe depending on
the amount of changes to the hip joint.
In dogs, a femur that does not fit correctly into the pelvic socket, or poorly developed muscles in the pelvic area. Large and giant breeds are
susceptible to hip dysplasia, and Cocker spaniels and Shetland sheepdogs are also known to suffer from it. Cats are also known to have this
condition, especially Siamese. German Shepherds do not have a corner on the market the only reason they are thought to have it more so than
any other breeds is that German Shepherds are X rayed and checked more often than any other breeds.
If a dog shows arthirtic changes only in one hip joint, the cause is likely NOT hip dysplasia. If only one hip is affected, and the other is normal,
the cause is likely due to trauma when the puppy was in the rapid growth stages. Even running through the house and sliding into a wall can be
enough to damage the hip. Once the hip joint is bruised, the body makes more synovial fluid (joint fluid) to try to cushion the bruised tissue. This
causes greater separation of the joint surfaces, and this in turn can cause a cycle of ever worsening truma to the hip. The result is early arthritis
which may be mis-diagnosed as hip dysplasia.
In dogs, the problem almost always appears by the time the dog is 18 months old. Richard Pitcairn theorizes that the hips of young dogs are
weakened by heavy vaccination.The defect can be anywhere from mild to severely crippling. It can cause severe osteoarthritis eventually.
Some dogs that move badly (walk funny) have great hips, and some dogs that move beautifully have bad hips! Therefore, you can not determine
if a dog has hip dysplasia or not unless a correctly positioned hip x-ray is taken. These hip x-rays can be submitted for evaluation, and if found to
be free of Dysplasia, they are 'certified' by either the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) in Columbia, Missouri (age requirement is 24
months old), or they may be submitted to the Deutscher Schaeferhund Verein (SV) in Germany (age requirement of 12 months old). There is a
3rd type of hip x-ray done called the PennHip by the University of Pennsylvania that requires the dog be 'put out' under a ,general anasteia. and
then they use a fulcrum to attempt to dislocate the hips. I feel this a cruel painful tecnique and personally do not want this technique used on any
of my dogs. I always avoid any kind of general anistesia and any kind of surgey if possible, I know of to many puppies that die of the anistesia.Not
to mention the cutting and infections.
The rate of growth directly affects the hip joint status. Puppies that grow too quickly are doing so because they are being feed too much. The
chart below shows how free feeding (letting the puppy eat all it wants) GREATLY affects how many puppies develop hip dysplasia. It is likely that
the same percentages would also apply to elbow dysplasia as well. In nature, puppies NEVER get to eat as much as they want. They are always
hungry. The pack may have a good meal one day, and not even get to eat the next. This is why the puppies are genetically programmed to 'wolf
down their food', as in the wild they never know when (or if) the next meal is coming. Do not feed your puppy more just because it acts hungry!!!!
The results of the study are shown here. We at Grunenfeld advocate feeding the puppy carefully monitored amounts of food so the puppy grows
more slowely, and we advocate the addition of Glucosamine to the diet to encourage healthy joint development. A good source for this
supplement can be found at: http://www.glucosamine-arthritis.org
What is the ratio of Hip Dysplasia in "German" German Shepherds? In 1966, when the program was started, the Dysplasia ratio was 26%. At first
glance it might look like they had a higher ratio of Hip Dysplasia than the American dogs, but in Germany the x-ray MUST be submitted for
grading. The owner has no choice, as the Veterinarians permitted to do the x-rays are REQUIRED to submit ALL x-rays taken. When you add this
to the fact that a greater number of the eligible dogs do get x-rayed in Germany (remember, they can't breed or enter a show with out hip
certifications, so a higher percentage get x-rayed), the German dog started out in about the same place as the American dogs.
What is the ratio for Hip Dysplasia in the "German" German Shepherd today? The current ratio is 7%! The average "German" German Shepherd
will show 10 to 15+ generations with EVERY dog in the pedigree certified against Hip Dysplasia. While no breeder can eliminate all risk of Hip
Dysplasia, the Germans have done a much better job than the Americans due to the mandatory x-ray requirement.
animals (including humans), .Hip Dysplasia is more common among large breed dogs than small breeds, German Shepherds being 38 on the list
of commonality. Hip Dysplasia occurs in different levels of severity. Dogs with Dysplasia are graded as Mild, Moderate or Severe depending on
the amount of changes to the hip joint.
In dogs, a femur that does not fit correctly into the pelvic socket, or poorly developed muscles in the pelvic area. Large and giant breeds are
susceptible to hip dysplasia, and Cocker spaniels and Shetland sheepdogs are also known to suffer from it. Cats are also known to have this
condition, especially Siamese. German Shepherds do not have a corner on the market the only reason they are thought to have it more so than
any other breeds is that German Shepherds are X rayed and checked more often than any other breeds.
If a dog shows arthirtic changes only in one hip joint, the cause is likely NOT hip dysplasia. If only one hip is affected, and the other is normal,
the cause is likely due to trauma when the puppy was in the rapid growth stages. Even running through the house and sliding into a wall can be
enough to damage the hip. Once the hip joint is bruised, the body makes more synovial fluid (joint fluid) to try to cushion the bruised tissue. This
causes greater separation of the joint surfaces, and this in turn can cause a cycle of ever worsening truma to the hip. The result is early arthritis
which may be mis-diagnosed as hip dysplasia.
In dogs, the problem almost always appears by the time the dog is 18 months old. Richard Pitcairn theorizes that the hips of young dogs are
weakened by heavy vaccination.The defect can be anywhere from mild to severely crippling. It can cause severe osteoarthritis eventually.
Some dogs that move badly (walk funny) have great hips, and some dogs that move beautifully have bad hips! Therefore, you can not determine
if a dog has hip dysplasia or not unless a correctly positioned hip x-ray is taken. These hip x-rays can be submitted for evaluation, and if found to
be free of Dysplasia, they are 'certified' by either the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) in Columbia, Missouri (age requirement is 24
months old), or they may be submitted to the Deutscher Schaeferhund Verein (SV) in Germany (age requirement of 12 months old). There is a
3rd type of hip x-ray done called the PennHip by the University of Pennsylvania that requires the dog be 'put out' under a ,general anasteia. and
then they use a fulcrum to attempt to dislocate the hips. I feel this a cruel painful tecnique and personally do not want this technique used on any
of my dogs. I always avoid any kind of general anistesia and any kind of surgey if possible, I know of to many puppies that die of the anistesia.Not
to mention the cutting and infections.
The rate of growth directly affects the hip joint status. Puppies that grow too quickly are doing so because they are being feed too much. The
chart below shows how free feeding (letting the puppy eat all it wants) GREATLY affects how many puppies develop hip dysplasia. It is likely that
the same percentages would also apply to elbow dysplasia as well. In nature, puppies NEVER get to eat as much as they want. They are always
hungry. The pack may have a good meal one day, and not even get to eat the next. This is why the puppies are genetically programmed to 'wolf
down their food', as in the wild they never know when (or if) the next meal is coming. Do not feed your puppy more just because it acts hungry!!!!
The results of the study are shown here. We at Grunenfeld advocate feeding the puppy carefully monitored amounts of food so the puppy grows
more slowely, and we advocate the addition of Glucosamine to the diet to encourage healthy joint development. A good source for this
supplement can be found at: http://www.glucosamine-arthritis.org
What is the ratio of Hip Dysplasia in "German" German Shepherds? In 1966, when the program was started, the Dysplasia ratio was 26%. At first
glance it might look like they had a higher ratio of Hip Dysplasia than the American dogs, but in Germany the x-ray MUST be submitted for
grading. The owner has no choice, as the Veterinarians permitted to do the x-rays are REQUIRED to submit ALL x-rays taken. When you add this
to the fact that a greater number of the eligible dogs do get x-rayed in Germany (remember, they can't breed or enter a show with out hip
certifications, so a higher percentage get x-rayed), the German dog started out in about the same place as the American dogs.
What is the ratio for Hip Dysplasia in the "German" German Shepherd today? The current ratio is 7%! The average "German" German Shepherd
will show 10 to 15+ generations with EVERY dog in the pedigree certified against Hip Dysplasia. While no breeder can eliminate all risk of Hip
Dysplasia, the Germans have done a much better job than the Americans due to the mandatory x-ray requirement.
Hip Dysplasia is nothing more than Canine arthritis that can sometimes occour early in life. Hip Dysplasia occurs amoung all dog breeds all
animals (including humans), .Hip Dysplasia is more common among large breed dogs than small breeds, German Shepherds being 38 on the list
of commonality. Hip Dysplasia occurs in different levels of severity. Dogs with Dysplasia are graded as Mild, Moderate or Severe depending on
the amount of changes to the hip joint.
In dogs, a femur that does not fit correctly into the pelvic socket, or poorly developed muscles in the pelvic area. Large and giant breeds are
susceptible to hip dysplasia, and Cocker spaniels and Shetland sheepdogs are also known to suffer from it. Cats are also known to have this
condition, especially Siamese. German Shepherds do not have a corner on the market the only reason they are thought to have it more so than
any other breeds is that German Shepherds are X rayed and checked more often than any other breeds.
If a dog shows arthirtic changes only in one hip joint, the cause is likely NOT hip dysplasia. If only one hip is affected, and the other is normal,
the cause is likely due to trauma when the puppy was in the rapid growth stages. Even running through the house and sliding into a wall can be
enough to damage the hip. Once the hip joint is bruised, the body makes more synovial fluid (joint fluid) to try to cushion the bruised tissue. This
causes greater separation of the joint surfaces, and this in turn can cause a cycle of ever worsening truma to the hip. The result is early arthritis
which may be mis-diagnosed as hip dysplasia.
In dogs, the problem almost always appears by the time the dog is 18 months old. Richard Pitcairn theorizes that the hips of young dogs are
weakened by heavy vaccination.The defect can be anywhere from mild to severely crippling. It can cause severe osteoarthritis eventually.
Some dogs that move badly (walk funny) have great hips, and some dogs that move beautifully have bad hips! Therefore, you can not determine
if a dog has hip dysplasia or not unless a correctly positioned hip x-ray is taken. These hip x-rays can be submitted for evaluation, and if found to
be free of Dysplasia, they are 'certified' by either the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) in Columbia, Missouri (age requirement is 24
months old), or they may be submitted to the Deutscher Schaeferhund Verein (SV) in Germany (age requirement of 12 months old). There is a
3rd type of hip x-ray done called the PennHip by the University of Pennsylvania that requires the dog be 'put out' under a ,general anasteia. and
then they use a fulcrum to attempt to dislocate the hips. I feel this a cruel painful tecnique and personally do not want this technique used on any
of my dogs. I always avoid any kind of general anistesia and any kind of surgey if possible, I know of to many puppies that die of the anistesia.Not
to mention the cutting and infections.
The rate of growth directly affects the hip joint status. Puppies that grow too quickly are doing so because they are being feed too much. The
chart below shows how free feeding (letting the puppy eat all it wants) GREATLY affects how many puppies develop hip dysplasia. It is likely that
the same percentages would also apply to elbow dysplasia as well. In nature, puppies NEVER get to eat as much as they want. They are always
hungry. The pack may have a good meal one day, and not even get to eat the next. This is why the puppies are genetically programmed to 'wolf
down their food', as in the wild they never know when (or if) the next meal is coming. Do not feed your puppy more just because it acts hungry!!!!
The results of the study are shown here. We at Grunenfeld advocate feeding the puppy carefully monitored amounts of food so the puppy grows
more slowely, and we advocate the addition of Glucosamine to the diet to encourage healthy joint development. A good source for this
supplement can be found at: http://www.glucosamine-arthritis.org
What is the ratio of Hip Dysplasia in "German" German Shepherds? In 1966, when the program was started, the Dysplasia ratio was 26%. At first
glance it might look like they had a higher ratio of Hip Dysplasia than the American dogs, but in Germany the x-ray MUST be submitted for
grading. The owner has no choice, as the Veterinarians permitted to do the x-rays are REQUIRED to submit ALL x-rays taken. When you add this
to the fact that a greater number of the eligible dogs do get x-rayed in Germany (remember, they can't breed or enter a show with out hip
certifications, so a higher percentage get x-rayed), the German dog started out in about the same place as the American dogs.
What is the ratio for Hip Dysplasia in the "German" German Shepherd today? The current ratio is 7%! The average "German" German Shepherd
will show 10 to 15+ generations with EVERY dog in the pedigree certified against Hip Dysplasia. While no breeder can eliminate all risk of Hip
Dysplasia, the Germans have done a much better job than the Americans due to the mandatory x-ray requirement.
animals (including humans), .Hip Dysplasia is more common among large breed dogs than small breeds, German Shepherds being 38 on the list
of commonality. Hip Dysplasia occurs in different levels of severity. Dogs with Dysplasia are graded as Mild, Moderate or Severe depending on
the amount of changes to the hip joint.
In dogs, a femur that does not fit correctly into the pelvic socket, or poorly developed muscles in the pelvic area. Large and giant breeds are
susceptible to hip dysplasia, and Cocker spaniels and Shetland sheepdogs are also known to suffer from it. Cats are also known to have this
condition, especially Siamese. German Shepherds do not have a corner on the market the only reason they are thought to have it more so than
any other breeds is that German Shepherds are X rayed and checked more often than any other breeds.
If a dog shows arthirtic changes only in one hip joint, the cause is likely NOT hip dysplasia. If only one hip is affected, and the other is normal,
the cause is likely due to trauma when the puppy was in the rapid growth stages. Even running through the house and sliding into a wall can be
enough to damage the hip. Once the hip joint is bruised, the body makes more synovial fluid (joint fluid) to try to cushion the bruised tissue. This
causes greater separation of the joint surfaces, and this in turn can cause a cycle of ever worsening truma to the hip. The result is early arthritis
which may be mis-diagnosed as hip dysplasia.
In dogs, the problem almost always appears by the time the dog is 18 months old. Richard Pitcairn theorizes that the hips of young dogs are
weakened by heavy vaccination.The defect can be anywhere from mild to severely crippling. It can cause severe osteoarthritis eventually.
Some dogs that move badly (walk funny) have great hips, and some dogs that move beautifully have bad hips! Therefore, you can not determine
if a dog has hip dysplasia or not unless a correctly positioned hip x-ray is taken. These hip x-rays can be submitted for evaluation, and if found to
be free of Dysplasia, they are 'certified' by either the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) in Columbia, Missouri (age requirement is 24
months old), or they may be submitted to the Deutscher Schaeferhund Verein (SV) in Germany (age requirement of 12 months old). There is a
3rd type of hip x-ray done called the PennHip by the University of Pennsylvania that requires the dog be 'put out' under a ,general anasteia. and
then they use a fulcrum to attempt to dislocate the hips. I feel this a cruel painful tecnique and personally do not want this technique used on any
of my dogs. I always avoid any kind of general anistesia and any kind of surgey if possible, I know of to many puppies that die of the anistesia.Not
to mention the cutting and infections.
The rate of growth directly affects the hip joint status. Puppies that grow too quickly are doing so because they are being feed too much. The
chart below shows how free feeding (letting the puppy eat all it wants) GREATLY affects how many puppies develop hip dysplasia. It is likely that
the same percentages would also apply to elbow dysplasia as well. In nature, puppies NEVER get to eat as much as they want. They are always
hungry. The pack may have a good meal one day, and not even get to eat the next. This is why the puppies are genetically programmed to 'wolf
down their food', as in the wild they never know when (or if) the next meal is coming. Do not feed your puppy more just because it acts hungry!!!!
The results of the study are shown here. We at Grunenfeld advocate feeding the puppy carefully monitored amounts of food so the puppy grows
more slowely, and we advocate the addition of Glucosamine to the diet to encourage healthy joint development. A good source for this
supplement can be found at: http://www.glucosamine-arthritis.org
What is the ratio of Hip Dysplasia in "German" German Shepherds? In 1966, when the program was started, the Dysplasia ratio was 26%. At first
glance it might look like they had a higher ratio of Hip Dysplasia than the American dogs, but in Germany the x-ray MUST be submitted for
grading. The owner has no choice, as the Veterinarians permitted to do the x-rays are REQUIRED to submit ALL x-rays taken. When you add this
to the fact that a greater number of the eligible dogs do get x-rayed in Germany (remember, they can't breed or enter a show with out hip
certifications, so a higher percentage get x-rayed), the German dog started out in about the same place as the American dogs.
What is the ratio for Hip Dysplasia in the "German" German Shepherd today? The current ratio is 7%! The average "German" German Shepherd
will show 10 to 15+ generations with EVERY dog in the pedigree certified against Hip Dysplasia. While no breeder can eliminate all risk of Hip
Dysplasia, the Germans have done a much better job than the Americans due to the mandatory x-ray requirement.
Hip Dysplasia is nothing more than Canine arthritis that can sometimes occour early in life. Hip Dysplasia occurs amoung all dog breeds all
animals (including humans), .Hip Dysplasia is more common among large breed dogs than small breeds, German Shepherds being 38 on the list
of commonality. Hip Dysplasia occurs in different levels of severity. Dogs with Dysplasia are graded as Mild, Moderate or Severe depending on
the amount of changes to the hip joint.
In dogs, a femur that does not fit correctly into the pelvic socket, or poorly developed muscles in the pelvic area. Large and giant breeds are
susceptible to hip dysplasia, and Cocker spaniels and Shetland sheepdogs are also known to suffer from it. Cats are also known to have this
condition, especially Siamese. German Shepherds do not have a corner on the market the only reason they are thought to have it more so than
any other breeds is that German Shepherds are X rayed and checked more often than any other breeds.
If a dog shows arthirtic changes only in one hip joint, the cause is likely NOT hip dysplasia. If only one hip is affected, and the other is normal,
the cause is likely due to trauma when the puppy was in the rapid growth stages. Even running through the house and sliding into a wall can be
enough to damage the hip. Once the hip joint is bruised, the body makes more synovial fluid (joint fluid) to try to cushion the bruised tissue. This
causes greater separation of the joint surfaces, and this in turn can cause a cycle of ever worsening truma to the hip. The result is early arthritis
which may be mis-diagnosed as hip dysplasia.
In dogs, the problem almost always appears by the time the dog is 18 months old. Richard Pitcairn theorizes that the hips of young dogs are
weakened by heavy vaccination.The defect can be anywhere from mild to severely crippling. It can cause severe osteoarthritis eventually.
Some dogs that move badly (walk funny) have great hips, and some dogs that move beautifully have bad hips! Therefore, you can not determine
if a dog has hip dysplasia or not unless a correctly positioned hip x-ray is taken. These hip x-rays can be submitted for evaluation, and if found to
be free of Dysplasia, they are 'certified' by either the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) in Columbia, Missouri (age requirement is 24
months old), or they may be submitted to the Deutscher Schaeferhund Verein (SV) in Germany (age requirement of 12 months old). There is a
3rd type of hip x-ray done called the PennHip by the University of Pennsylvania that requires the dog be 'put out' under a ,general anasteia. and
then they use a fulcrum to attempt to dislocate the hips. I feel this a cruel painful tecnique and personally do not want this technique used on any
of my dogs. I always avoid any kind of general anistesia and any kind of surgey if possible, I know of to many puppies that die of the anistesia.Not
to mention the cutting and infections.
The rate of growth directly affects the hip joint status. Puppies that grow too quickly are doing so because they are being feed too much. The
chart below shows how free feeding (letting the puppy eat all it wants) GREATLY affects how many puppies develop hip dysplasia. It is likely that
the same percentages would also apply to elbow dysplasia as well. In nature, puppies NEVER get to eat as much as they want. They are always
hungry. The pack may have a good meal one day, and not even get to eat the next. This is why the puppies are genetically programmed to 'wolf
down their food', as in the wild they never know when (or if) the next meal is coming. Do not feed your puppy more just because it acts hungry!!!!
The results of the study are shown here. We at Grunenfeld advocate feeding the puppy carefully monitored amounts of food so the puppy grows
more slowely, and we advocate the addition of Glucosamine to the diet to encourage healthy joint development. A good source for this
supplement can be found at: http://www.glucosamine-arthritis.org
What is the ratio of Hip Dysplasia in "German" German Shepherds? In 1966, when the program was started, the Dysplasia ratio was 26%. At first
glance it might look like they had a higher ratio of Hip Dysplasia than the American dogs, but in Germany the x-ray MUST be submitted for
grading. The owner has no choice, as the Veterinarians permitted to do the x-rays are REQUIRED to submit ALL x-rays taken. When you add this
to the fact that a greater number of the eligible dogs do get x-rayed in Germany (remember, they can't breed or enter a show with out hip
certifications, so a higher percentage get x-rayed), the German dog started out in about the same place as the American dogs.
What is the ratio for Hip Dysplasia in the "German" German Shepherd today? The current ratio is 7%! The average "German" German Shepherd
will show 10 to 15+ generations with EVERY dog in the pedigree certified against Hip Dysplasia. While no breeder can eliminate all risk of Hip
Dysplasia, the Germans have done a much better job than the Americans due to the mandatory x-ray requirement.
animals (including humans), .Hip Dysplasia is more common among large breed dogs than small breeds, German Shepherds being 38 on the list
of commonality. Hip Dysplasia occurs in different levels of severity. Dogs with Dysplasia are graded as Mild, Moderate or Severe depending on
the amount of changes to the hip joint.
In dogs, a femur that does not fit correctly into the pelvic socket, or poorly developed muscles in the pelvic area. Large and giant breeds are
susceptible to hip dysplasia, and Cocker spaniels and Shetland sheepdogs are also known to suffer from it. Cats are also known to have this
condition, especially Siamese. German Shepherds do not have a corner on the market the only reason they are thought to have it more so than
any other breeds is that German Shepherds are X rayed and checked more often than any other breeds.
If a dog shows arthirtic changes only in one hip joint, the cause is likely NOT hip dysplasia. If only one hip is affected, and the other is normal,
the cause is likely due to trauma when the puppy was in the rapid growth stages. Even running through the house and sliding into a wall can be
enough to damage the hip. Once the hip joint is bruised, the body makes more synovial fluid (joint fluid) to try to cushion the bruised tissue. This
causes greater separation of the joint surfaces, and this in turn can cause a cycle of ever worsening truma to the hip. The result is early arthritis
which may be mis-diagnosed as hip dysplasia.
In dogs, the problem almost always appears by the time the dog is 18 months old. Richard Pitcairn theorizes that the hips of young dogs are
weakened by heavy vaccination.The defect can be anywhere from mild to severely crippling. It can cause severe osteoarthritis eventually.
Some dogs that move badly (walk funny) have great hips, and some dogs that move beautifully have bad hips! Therefore, you can not determine
if a dog has hip dysplasia or not unless a correctly positioned hip x-ray is taken. These hip x-rays can be submitted for evaluation, and if found to
be free of Dysplasia, they are 'certified' by either the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) in Columbia, Missouri (age requirement is 24
months old), or they may be submitted to the Deutscher Schaeferhund Verein (SV) in Germany (age requirement of 12 months old). There is a
3rd type of hip x-ray done called the PennHip by the University of Pennsylvania that requires the dog be 'put out' under a ,general anasteia. and
then they use a fulcrum to attempt to dislocate the hips. I feel this a cruel painful tecnique and personally do not want this technique used on any
of my dogs. I always avoid any kind of general anistesia and any kind of surgey if possible, I know of to many puppies that die of the anistesia.Not
to mention the cutting and infections.
The rate of growth directly affects the hip joint status. Puppies that grow too quickly are doing so because they are being feed too much. The
chart below shows how free feeding (letting the puppy eat all it wants) GREATLY affects how many puppies develop hip dysplasia. It is likely that
the same percentages would also apply to elbow dysplasia as well. In nature, puppies NEVER get to eat as much as they want. They are always
hungry. The pack may have a good meal one day, and not even get to eat the next. This is why the puppies are genetically programmed to 'wolf
down their food', as in the wild they never know when (or if) the next meal is coming. Do not feed your puppy more just because it acts hungry!!!!
The results of the study are shown here. We at Grunenfeld advocate feeding the puppy carefully monitored amounts of food so the puppy grows
more slowely, and we advocate the addition of Glucosamine to the diet to encourage healthy joint development. A good source for this
supplement can be found at: http://www.glucosamine-arthritis.org
What is the ratio of Hip Dysplasia in "German" German Shepherds? In 1966, when the program was started, the Dysplasia ratio was 26%. At first
glance it might look like they had a higher ratio of Hip Dysplasia than the American dogs, but in Germany the x-ray MUST be submitted for
grading. The owner has no choice, as the Veterinarians permitted to do the x-rays are REQUIRED to submit ALL x-rays taken. When you add this
to the fact that a greater number of the eligible dogs do get x-rayed in Germany (remember, they can't breed or enter a show with out hip
certifications, so a higher percentage get x-rayed), the German dog started out in about the same place as the American dogs.
What is the ratio for Hip Dysplasia in the "German" German Shepherd today? The current ratio is 7%! The average "German" German Shepherd
will show 10 to 15+ generations with EVERY dog in the pedigree certified against Hip Dysplasia. While no breeder can eliminate all risk of Hip
Dysplasia, the Germans have done a much better job than the Americans due to the mandatory x-ray requirement.
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