Hi I have a 6 month old Labrador x border collie he has started to develop a limp on his right rear leg, especially when he first gets up, then after a minute or so it seems to be gone and he is as agile as ever... this seems to been for the past week... i have noticed today that he seems to be favoring it a little when he is walking.... he goes for half hour walks every day and runs like crazy when he is off the lead, and has a ball.

he seems to have had a couple of stumbles whilst out on walks as he jumps into the sand of the golf course he is a big cluts. has slipped over a few times in the wet chasing toys. i'm not sure if this has caused his limp or maybe something else... he is our first dog.

does anyone have any suggestions????

Well it is not possible to even guess without seeing it but there is a problem that can cause lameness in young dogs and it can move from leg to leg it is called Panosteitis often called Pano. Or he may just have hurt himself but I would be seeing a vet as limb damage at his age can lead to lifetime problems an can be caused by any number of things, injury, construction or disease.

You may have over exercised him, till mature [this varies by breed but at least 12 months old]walks should be limited to 5 mins per month of age, so in your case 15 mins away from home and 15 mins back, any other exercise should then be limited to the garden, not repetitive like ball fetching more than a couple of times, obedience training will tire his brain without putting stress on his joints.

Don't be pressured into neutering him as the sex hormones influence bone growth amongst other things not related to reproduction.

Hopefully he has just twisted something and with rest and no outdoor walks it settles down.

how long has he been doing half hour walks and chasing after balls?  I found more injuries with balls than anything else :-( and would certainly restrict this in a youngster... he's young yet and should be allowed to mature before this level of exercise, some mind games and games in the garden with a short walk outside would be more than enough, particularly given his lameness, I am only just thinking of walks like this at 6 months and only occasionally with collies...

has he done much stairs up and down? and jumping in and out of cars?  again I'd only just be starting to do this at 6 months and still lifting if pup over enthusiastic... you can damage their joints (HD) by doing too much too soon.

I'd also advise leaving any neutering until he's fully mature as removal of hormones can both lengthen the long bones (putting stress on the joints) and lead to worsening issues like HD