Bunny Hopping Rottweiler Puppy - Sign Of Hip Dysplasia?

I have an 8 week old male puppy who just recently started to "bunny hop" as he runs. He walks normally and does not seem to be in any discomfort. I know that it is still too early to tell if he has hip dysplasia, but I have had a dog with it in the past and am just really concerned.

Is this common for puppies this age and does it lead to any future problems, or is it nothing to worry about? I have read different articles on the web that say it may just be that he does this to gain speed but on the other hand some articles say it is a sign of early hip dysplasia.


Should I be concerned?







Hi
This is a really difficult question to answer as there are so many variables! At 8 weeks of age, many puppies run 'funny' - perhaps hopping, turning sideways, tripping over their feet etc. etc. Rottweiler puppies are notoriously clumsy too :o)

I'm not a veterinarian so this is only my personal take on the subject, but I would imagine that at 8 weeks old it's much too early to think of hip dysplasia... unless it is an extremely severe case. If that were true then I would also expect to see some degree of pain or stiffness, difficulty getting up and so on. If you're not seeing that then personally I wouldn't say you need to worry just yet. However, I'd definitely recommend that you discuss your worries with your own vet as he/she is in the best position to advise you and can examine your puppy.

While canine hip dysplasia is fairly common in Rottweilers (and other breeds including Labrador Retriever and German Shepherds), if you've bought your pup from a reputable Click here to post comments.

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