Hip Displasia?

[Petter]

Hi everyone,

I am to purchase a weimaraner puppy very soon, but does buying from a reputable breeder ensure no hip displasia in the pup's lifetime?

I am really worried about this, is it a genetic issue or something that just happens to large dogs?

ALSO, is buying a 4-5 month old weimaraner okay? will they be homesick too much?

Thank You all.

[GoldenWei]

Hi everyone,

I am to purchase a weimaraner puppy very soon, but does buying from a reputable breeder ensure no hip displasia in the pup's lifetime?

I am really worried about this, is it a genetic issue or something that just happens to large dogs?

ALSO, is buying a 4-5 month old weimaraner okay? will they be homesick too much?

Thank You all.

No, buying from a reputable breeder does not guarantee that your puppy will not have hip dysplasia. IF your breeder hip scores both parents and they are low scores it will lessen the chance considerably, however hip dysplasia CAN be environmental as well as genetic.

Buying a puppy of that age should be fine, I wouldn't say they would be homesick, but as long as the breeder has socialised him/her properly while they have had puppy in their care, they should be fine.

[aussielover]

Environmental factors such as over exercise as a young pup or over feeding leading to obesity, may also contribute to the development of hip dysplasia. As there are many genes involved in the development of HD, even if the parents have perfect scores, pups may still develop it.

It is more common in some breeds of large dogs, but there is alos a genetic factor as well.

There should be no problem in getting a 4-5 month old puppy as long as it has been well socialised.

I actually think this is a very good age to get a pup as they are a bit more mature and sensible.

I have noticed a huge difference in my puppy now she is 4 months old.

Of course the reason why people get younger pups (8 weeks) is that they really have to be socialised from 8-16 weeks and it would be pretty tough for a breeder to try to socialise and train 8-10 pups! andy 8 week old pups are very very cute.

[Staranais]

Like you have been told, there are no guarantees with H.D. You can get H.D pups from parents with good hip scores.

Buying from a breeder that knows their lines really well, and that tries to hip score as many close relatives as they can (rather than just hip scoring the dam and sire they are using), can help reduce the risk.

I do not believe that dogs usually develop hip dysplasia purely from environmental causes - from what I understand of the research, there is almost always some sort of genetic predisposition involved.

Many good breeders will offer a health guarantee, to replace or refund the pup if it develops H.D or another hereditary condition such as E.D or OCD. That might be something worth enquiring about if you are concerned about H.D. Make sure you enquire exactly what the guarantee covers. For example some guarantees require you to give your pup back to the breeder before you are sent a replacemen animal, if you would not be prepared to give your pup back, then a guarantee that offers this will be useless to you.