Last Wednesday, we dove into hip dysplasia — one of the most pressing and common health concerns for German Shepherds. We didn’t stop there, because early awareness can truly change outcomes. Let’s reinforce why this is so crucial: Recent data shows that around 19% of German Shepherds screened have dysplastic hips — nearly 1 in 5 dogs. That’s not a rare issue we can ignore. Why it matters: - Hip dysplasia often begins before any signs show - Puppies growing too fast, improper nutrition, and high-impact exercise before maturity all play a role Simple, proactive steps that can help: 1. Screen early — consider PennHIP or OFA evaluations. Early detection opens more options 2. Support healthy growth — feed large-breed puppy food only through 18 months; avoid excessive jumping or running too young 3. Maintain healthy weight & gentle exercise — key to reducing joint stress long-term It’s one thing to talk about dysplasia once, but revisiting it starts the conversations that save joints — and lives. 🐕❤️ 💬 Wisdom Prompt: Have you had your Shepherd screened? Or do you follow a joint support routine already? Share what’s working for your pack — your experience might be exactly what someone else needs to hear today. 👇