i am not a member yet but would like to add that I have a dog who has HD. He had surgery about thre years ago (the surgery he had is known as a bilateal excision arthropasty - where they remove the femoral heads thus creating a false joint).
He is not a show labrador but a working labrador and has for the past three years been able to work the same, if not better than before.
I do not regret having this surgery done, I would advise that the person with puppy listen to their vet and seek advise from a orthopaedic specialist as I did.