Catching a frisbee...any chance of increasing risk for hip dyspasia?

Question

My bf doesn't want to teach our 7 month old golden retriever to catch a frisbee because he says it's hard on the hips. Our dog was bred to not have this problem though. I would rather throw a frisbee than a ball because it would be easier on my tennis elbow. Any thoughts on this?

Answer 1

In any case, it's probably a good idea to wait until the dog is between 1 and 2 years to start any strenuous activities, as this is the time the bones have finished growing, otherwise it might be too rough on him. However, once he's done growing, doing this type of activity will not put your dog at increased risk of hip dysplasia. Also, if you got the dog from a reputable breeder, then the parents of your puppy probably had their hips scored by the OFA and recieved either a poor, fair, good or excellent...most breeders won't breed dogs that don't have at least a good. This increases the likelihood of the offspring having good solid hips, but it is no guarantee...even if your pups parents were both scored excellent, there is still a very small possibility your pup's hips will not be excellent.

The best way to know your pup's chances of developing hip dysplacia later in life is to have his hips scored as well. This isn't generally done until the pup is two years old, since, as I mentioned, this is when his bones are done growing. In order to have this done, talk to your vet and they will either take x-rays, or recommend you to a vet to take the x-rays which will then be mailed off the OFA to be scored. It's important to have an experienced vet take the x-rays, as a poor x-ray can lead to a false reading. Although this process is harmless to your dog, it can be costly.

The best way to ensure your dog's hips are as healthy as possible are to excercise him frequently and make sure he's not overweight. Playing frisbee is a great way to provide your dog an outlet to let off steam and most cities have local clubs you can join to train your dog in frisbee if you want something more structured than throwing a frisbee around the backyard.

However, dogs, like human get sore muscles and can get out of alignment, especially dogs participating in performance events. Today, more and more people are taking their dogs to animal chiropractors (including myself). This is also a great way to make sure that your performance dog doesn't injure himself doing something he loves.

I hope this helps. Good luck and enjoy the new puppy!

Answer 2

The pet stores sell tennis ball launchers that can send the ball much farther than any human can throw it.

If the dog is catching the Frisbee in the air, there is a risk that he may injure his neck or spine by jumping and twisting. Frisbee dogs can often suffer torn ligaments (especially the ACL) by making tight turns after they catch the Frisbee - especially on wet grass.

If you throw it far ahead of him so that he's picking it up off the ground, the risk is the same for a ball or a Frisbee. Neither will give him dysplasia (which is a genetic or congenital deformation of the hip joint) but an injury can exacerbate dysplasia or trigger arthritis, which can be just as painful.

Answer 3

Hip dysplasia is genetic, and the activity level of the dog should not make it more likely to get it. If his parents and grand parents were OFA good or excellent, he will most likely not have a problem with it.

As for the frisbee catching, there is certainly a greater risk for injury to the knees if the dog is jumping and twisting. But if you are careful, and pay attention to how your dog plays, you will probably not have an issue.

Have your vet give your dog a good once over, orthopedically, and if all is good, I say try to play frisbee. You never know, your dog might be like mine, and let the darned thing hit her in the head!

Answer 4

Hip Dysplasia is a hereditary condition. Your vet should be able to examine your dog and determine if your friend has a propensity towards this condition.

If you suspect this, talk to your vet. If you've had this condition confirmed in your animal, let your breeder know. Any responsible breeder would appreciate the information.

To answer your question... frisbee may irritate an already existing condition, but your dog won't "contract" it from bouncing around like a goon.

Why did you buy a dog from a breeder rather than go to a rescue?

One more thing - Don't forget to sterilize your animal.

Answer 5

Exercises is great for animals as well as humans. Most dogs love to play Frisbee. You might take a very close look at your bfs over protectiveness if you should ever decide to marry. Your children would not have much fun in that bubble they would require to assure him of your off-springs safety.

Answer 6

Hip displaysia is considered a hereditary condition. The problem primarily affects large dogs. Even when a dog carries genetic traits that will cause it to develop hip displaysia later in life, it is born with seemingly normal hips


Did you ask the "breeders" you got the pup from about if it ran in the family?????????

i wouldnt encourage a lot of hard jumping anyway until the dog is a year old.

If the dog is going to get hip displaysia, its going to get it., Just keep the dog at a good weight and keep him healthy,,,you dont want a torn Acl (knee)

Answer 7

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Answer 8

I wouldn't say so. Hip dyspalsia can be worse if your dog doesn't do anything. Any dog can have it but generally it comes from the breed. I would say if anything continue to because if you keep your dog active in different things it will help prevent arthritus becoming an issue earlier than normal.

Answer 9

Agility IS a stress on joints and connective tissue and bones, as is any leaping/pounding/twisting moves. yet in case you keep the point of marvel down till the canines is fairly developed in connective tissue and joint/bone, regularly round 18 months to 2 years of age, then it regularly would not reason a lot contained in the way of subject matters IF the canines isn't already predisposed to bone/joint subject matters. It can't reason hip dysplasia notwithstanding it ought to exacerbate subject matters with a dyspalstic canines - i comprehend dogs which have performed some fairly huge coaching and trialing in a type of venues which have HD yet they were not less than pressure too youthful and the degree of stressors were kept minimum at the same time as it wasn't mandatory to lead them to higher - i.e. bounce heights minimum for conventional coaching, touchdown surfaces not demanding (grass fields are effective), etc.. in case you overdo it at the same time as the canines continues to be arising, it ought to certainly reason subject matters with the joints yet in case you purely practice without extra then it shouldn't produce a difficulty that would not exist already. Now that stated, any harm may reason subject matters contained in the destiny yet a canines can get an harm from walking outdoors and tripping in a hollow or on a step. protecting the canines in sturdy situation, no extra weight, sturdy muscle tone, can help avert complications even in dogs which have hip dysplasia. you are able to artwork including your domestic dog yet do not call for too a lot of turning out to be joints/bones. maximum of it will be coaching his head besides and your connection with him. you will get initial xrays performed besides as be effective that his mom and father/ancestors were HD sturdy/striking. you are able to spotlight all the joints besides; elbows should be damaged if stuff is overdone too.

Answer 10

Exercise is good for your dog...my Dalmatian loves both the ball and Frisbee tossed. She never tires....I threw the wiffle ball 25+ times tonight and she was still ready to go.....drank a lot of water...but she kept going!!!!! ( ....in hot southern New England!!!!....PS: she loves her fan in front of her at night!)