Just a quickie - what are your thoughts - in the last week our 11 month has been 'cronky' in the evening when getting up from laying down.She is fine when up and going - no lameness during walks or the day. Its not constant - just every few days - but regular enough to have got me wondering.

I have done the usual - no long / sore / anging nails. Hair not too long on the pads . No foreign bodies on the foot / leg.

Its the back leg.

Does she run off lead? a few years ago my bully was limping ,not a lot so rested him after a few days he seemed fine but the limp returned rested him again for a week ,again seemed ok but then limp,took him vets and to our horror he had snapped a cruxiate ligament,lucky we was insured, vet said when they run or chase a ball etc.. there legs can bend back too far it only has to be a little bit to either strain it or snap it .Try resting her for a week,no walks or jumping up on furniture, peopleetc ,then a short walk.if she starts to be sore or limps again a trip to the vets i think just incase,,oh yes my bully showed no pain so didnt think it could have snapped but apparently they just get on with it . hope this helps.Oh it was his back leg as well.

I would have him checked out in case it is a cruciate tear or something similar.

That said, Opi had periods of lameness quite often growing up - she would just pull a muscle in her rather energetic charging about.  I used to give her a few days' rest and she was fine, and it stopped by the time she was about 18 months IIRC.

I suspect its growing pains as she is much higher in the bum than the front and at 5 months had a similar growth spurt which produced a similar limp - which dissapeared. But you know what its like . . .worry worry worry!

I shall lead walk her for the next few days and see what happens,if limp is still there I shall take her to the vets Monday - just to be clear,I'm not avoiding the vet because Im a cheapskate - just sometimes they are all to quick to administer Metacam  and other drugs or xray and shave legs - when often in giant breeds its a growing issue. I'm just not used to a dog that only limps once a day - very odd !

my older bitch began limping near the end of a walk she has been an agility dog in her earlier years.. vet gave cartrophen injections she was better within days of the third inj and has been ever since.... although I think this is only recommended for older dogs not puppies. My vet rarely gives metacam as he thinks it causes more problems.