Genetics

Question
I have a two year old German Shepherd, female.  We got her as a pup.  Unlike other dogs that we have, she does not jump up on furniture, or any where for that matter.  The other day she got in a place between our house and a wall behind our house.  We have a Miniature Schnauzer who can jump down, and then back out of the place, but when our German Shepherd got down there, she could not get out.  I had to put a stepping stool down, and she climb up on it and with some pushing from me she got out.  Could she have a problem with her hind legs that prevent her from jumping up on things.  Even when she gets in our bed she puts her front paws on first, and then uses one of her legs to push her on up.  If she does, could this be genetic, and a problem that the breeders knew about, even before they sold her to us.  I don't want to get rid of her, we love her.  It is just that if it is genetic these people are selling pups that they know can have this defect for $450.00 and not letting prospective buyers know that there is a possiblity their pups will have this.

Answer
Hi Sandy,  Hip Dysplasia runs rampant in GSDs unfortunately, and yes it is genetic.  Many people breed GSDs and don't bother to check their dogs for dysplasia, which has caused the disease to be so bad in the breed.  Believe me, people sell them for a lot more than $450 without checking them for dysplasia and passing the disease on.  That is why you should never buy one unless you get a two year guarantee for dysplasia and have the dog x-rayed at two years old to verify that they don't have dysplasia.  I would take her in and have x-rays done to see how her hips are.  Hope this helps,

Dawn