Are large German Shepherd puppies more prone to hip and elbow issues?

Question

Hi, we are thinking about getting a german shepherd puppy. We got to see the parents' OFA certifications about hips and elbows and show good/normal. Our only concern is that the puppy's sire is 105 lbs. But he looks fit. Just large. Our question is, with such large size, is a GSD at more risk of hips and elbows issues when they get old? Or any other health issues? The breeder's explanation is that because the dog has heavy bones, it is actually better for hips and elbows due to strong structure.

Penelope Graben, DVM · Accepted Answer

Hi there, It's great to hear that the puppy's parents have good OFA certifications! This is the best predictive factor we currently have for good orthopedic health. I do not know of any direct size correlation with orthopedic disease and size. The bone density should be the same either way. The best things you can do to keep any dog from having orthopedic disease over time is appropriate exercise (swimming is great!), keeping the dog lean, and feeding a high quality diet made for large breed dogs. Royal Canin is my personal favorite brand, and they make a diet specifically for German Shepherd health. I would avoid anything marketed as "grain free" or "raw" as these are linked with many nutritional disorders, many of which can be orthopedic related. I hope this helps. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Are large German Shepherd puppies more prone to hip and elbow issues?

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