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Originally Posted by Ellex  Are there any hints to pick out if someone is a BYB? Her GSD actually had something wrong with his spin after his puppy years; I don't know what I'd do if my GSD wasn't able to walk after a while. The lady I'm speaking with about her puppies has answered ever question I have come up with but I've yet to ask about hip and elbow problems. Also, how important is it that they come with AKC papers? My Yorkie has them but my husband says it's fine if a dog doesn't come with papers. |
GSD do have a high incidence of hip dysplasia, and if this breeder is not screening her dogs for this, I would quite simply walk away. Ask her if she health screens, and if the answer is yes, ask what Health Registry she uses.
www.offa.org or Pennhip for hips, or elbows at
www.offa.org. Then you can go to these sites and look up the registered name of the parents and see for yourself what the results were on the health screenings.
Go to the USA National Club for GSD;s and see what they recommend for health screenings. Is she a member of this club?
HD or ED dependent on the severity of it, is NO SMALL matter in large breed dogs. It is quite frankly a life crippling disease.