My white shepherd in my avatar, Willow, is the reason I have gotten a little paranoid. I got her from a backyard breeder ... it was love at first sight ... but the "breeder" had done no health testing or anything on any of his dogs.
This was 9 years ago, and I didnt know then what I know now .......
I did PennHIP on Willow and got a TERRIBLE score (I want to say 30% or something)- we did surgery early on, so her hips would have a better chance of growing correctly. While they were doing surgery and spaying her, they found her blood wouldnt clot and she had a bad reaction to the anesthesia ... on top of those, we also discovered inflammatory bowel disease because she'd eat something and drop 20-30 pounds in a matter of days ... the blood disorder turned out to be immune-mediated thrombocytopenia. So with the bad hips, bad blood, and bad stomach/intestines, it was an intense 8.5 years that I had with her. Feeding schedules every 4-6 hours round the clock, bumps and scratches that wouldn't clot (and horse flies LOVED to sting up her ears!) Still ... I do NOT regret the day I met her, or the home equity loan I took out to pay her vet bills.
ANYWAY .... I'm getting a new shepherd pup (not a white one ... I don't think I can do another white shepherd) in two weeks. I know the father's pedigree, but haven't found the dam's online yet even tho I've seen a copy of it in person. I've been researching it to check hip ratings, at least. "Dad" is only OFA: Fair but the other dogs in his lines all look ok. I'll still get New Pup checked when it's old enough.
I guess I'm a little nervous, after my ... adventures ... with Willow. I know there's NEVER any guarantee, even with the healthiest of parents. That's life.
This is "Dad" ...
Brix z Malej Fatry - German shepherd dog