hi, my name is kenny and i have a problem with my young staffy. That is, he is limping and i am worried because he has been like this on another occasion my question is are hip disorders common with staffy's? It could be nuthing could be a a strain i don't no any feedback would be appreciated.
cheers kenny

Hip scoring is not something Staffie people are very high on! In 2001 there were 22 tested and the average of these was 13. Really with so smaller number of tested dogs that figure is meaningless! There is just not enough tested to give a valid breed average. Why only these few tested I don't, maybe the feeling within the breed is that they do not have a problem.

Usually with severe HD a limp does not come and go. In fact often there is not really a limp at all, more a pain when standing up after being laid down for a while. As you say, it could just be a strain. Keep and eye on it and see how things develop.

Regards, John

Staffies can be prone to luxating patellar (slipping knee caps) but that tends to produce more of a 'hop' than a limp. They are also prone to cramp. The Staff is also 8th on the list for HD in America, so it can't be discounted :(

Kenny
have you checked his pads and his feet just to make sure there isnt a problem there? They can sometimes get small stones or thorns maybe caught in their pads - or even have stood on a bee or something . It does happen
I would take him to the vets just to make sure .
How old is your Staffy as young staffs can be overwalked when young . Because they are quite strong and robust little dogs people think they can walk them for miles , which unfortunately you shouldnt do :( as it can damage their pads.
Keep me posted
Lel

Like Lel, how old is he? Noticed two of mine would have a really sore back leg after charging around and overdoing the excercise, we do tend to look at them as if they are indestructable. (neighbours six month old Stafford dog, looks fully grow, muscle bound etc but he broke his front leg, jumping up for sticks, they are still developing) Later on in the day they would be very stiff and uncomfortable, one in particular could never settle, 5 minutes lying here, 2 minutes there, obviously hurting. She had her hips x-rayed, as the vet said, they where OK but had seen better, and it could be the cause of her problems. Another vet put it down to soft ligament damage?

It was shortly afterwards I hurt my back, and walking the dogs was out of the question. Over a 24 month period off the lead walks where few and far between. :o Over the past 24 months, no reoccurance of any lameness. Coincidence? Kenny if he is young, (mine where 10 months and 26 months old!) it could well be over doing the walks/runs after he has "pulled a muscle". They do disguise it well, my two would limp to the front door to go back out! If you are worried about the hips...speak to the breeder, you would be very unlucky to have hip problems... but yes they are out there?