medical condition

Question
i have a 4 mo old gsd who was the runt of his litter he is 50 pounds now and just a great dog i have wanted one since i was a child and now ive bought my dream home and dream dog. however with out nowing much of how rapidly they grow and all the right heath questions to ask a breader im concern abt this hip dysplasia everyone is talking abt. im not sure what is normal or abnormal in the breed he tends to sit to one side or the other almost human like but not just straigt back as u would see in most dogs he walks with a switch like from side to side almost as if he showing off hes been this was since i got him at 6weeks old he is not in any pain and will run and play with great energy. i wld consult my vet but everytime i voice my concerns they just want to highten my concerns with heath problems of the breed (im not sure they no what to look for )but i wld like to know if this is just a charic of the gsd before i go thro costly xrays and treatment  

Answer
Hi,  Dysplasia will normally not show before a year of age unless it is really severe.  It does help to make the dog sit straight on his hips instead of one side or the other as that is making the hips separate (which is what dysplasia is, the hips separating).  You can get preliminary x-rays done at a year of age to check for severe dysplasia, but if he has mild dysplasia it will not show until 2 years of age.  That is why OFA doesn't certify hips until the dog is 2, when the hips are completely set.  Most large breed dogs, including GSDs have a tendency towards dysplasia due to their size and bad breeding by backyard breeders.  Hope this helps,

Dawn