Hopefully, Bailey's limping was the result of some over strenuous exercise. Crate rest and limited exercise would be recommended until you know more definitely.
Hip dysplasia can be diagnosed earlier than 2 years and often is. I know of a not over 8 month old Pug that was diagnosed as severely dysplastic and I saw the x-rays. Xrays are the only definitive way for diagnosis. The only reason I can think of for a puppy to be checked as young as 8 weeks is IF there were obvious deformities and issues already presenting and Bailey would have been symptomatic by the time you got him.
Hip dysplasia is polygenetic - that means there is more than one set of genes at work for it to manifest. It isn't like coat length or coat color for example where things are determined by "simple" dominants and recessives. Two parents with excellent hips can still produce a puppy that comes up dysplastic. But breeding good hips to good hips and breeding the resulting good hip to more good hips lessens the probability of dysplasia occurring. That's the nature side.
The nurture side/environmental is also a factor. Obesity in puppies can contribute (and I don't mean normal healthy puppy pudge). Floor surfaces - the amount of traction a puppy can get for footing can contribute. Rate of growth (another reason I'm cautious about feeding high protein puppy foods for too long), appropriate exercise and activity. So yes it is possible for the nurture element to cause a case of hip dysplasia. No accusations, just spelling things out.
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Originally Posted by Bailey's driver
Can that really be checked reliably at 8 weeks old?
If this dog does have hip displeasure I feel the breeder may not have been the best. I did not go to the breeder or have anything to do with the purchase.
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What concerns me about the breeder is the statement that he was checked for dysplasia at 8 weeks of age. Not likely. Secondly, that Bailey was purchased by your daughter and is now with you. Is this because he was a gift? or exactly why? IF he was bought for you for whatever reason or event, reputable responsible breeders are going to want to at some point deal with the person who is going to have their puppy. Hip dysplasia is one of those things in spite of doing everything humanly possible to prevent on the breeder's end, Mother Nature is going to have the last say. How the breeder works with you and deals with this is the determination of the quality of the breeder.
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Edit post: I found the correct paper work. One parent was listed as "good" hips. The other parent, all I have is a preliminary check. Comments?
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Okay, that means one parent had a rating of good by OFA. The other was too young to receive a permanent rating (was under 2 years of age), so they bred on a preliminary rating. That is an acceptable way to do things. The rating on the prelim is what is important.
I also would recommend contacting the breeder, responsible ones would want to know.
Debbie