Hi has anyone got any advice on my puppy. He is 3 months old and is really calm! He perks up for his walks and when playing. He walks with a real sway with his hips and lays down a lot in the splooting position. His parents wernt hip tested but most others were within 5 generations and all scored near perfect results. I have kept him off stairs altogether although he loves to jump onto the sofa for a nap. Any advice would be greatly appreciated thanks.
At 3 months old, his joints will not be 'connected' properly yet and everything will be very loose. This is very normal. However, you should always always buy from fully health-tested parents. Why give money to a breeder who doesn't care about their dogs and the dogs they are producing, enough to run basic health tests?
As Jo says, it would be too early to tell and he will probably be fine, but I do wish that people would not buy puppies from parents who are not hip scored. It is so unnecessary.
Thanks for your comments. Can i ask does everything seem ok in the video? I know it is not much but since having my pup i have worried about every little thing. He is not in any pain at all and is not reluctant to play and run, he jumps on my sofa which im trying to train him not to do. Its more just his sway when he walks slow which is not present when he picks up speed. The other thing was the splooting which i read can be a sign. I will have him x-rayed when he is ready to be neutered to know for sure but i guess im looking to calm my nerves until then lol. Thanks
I know nothing about hip dysplasia but just wanted to say your pup looks lovely and very well trained!
He is way too young to tell by his movements, or by the way he lays. He's a young puppy. Be sure not too neuter him too early as this can lead to other developmental problems.
I understood that splooting was a sign of good hips. Cooper gets off our bed that way. Front feet on the floor, back legs stretched out behind her. Anyway she is 4 and has no signs of hip issues. The vet xrayed her when she was spayed and gave her a clean bill, though I don't know the actual score.
My dog likes to go under our bed a lot. Pretty often you will just see only his back legs sticking out from under the bed in the splooting position. Pretty hilarious.