I have a 5 month old golden retriever puppy, who has been off the lead since 11 weeks old.  However, I met a couple who have two thirteen month old golden retrievers with hip displaysia, due to over activity when puppys, and they cannot let them off their leads because of this.  They said that I should not let mine off the lead until he is at least 1 year old to prevent hip displaysia occurring.  Is this true? It is not as if I let my puppy run miles a day, just a normal play/run around the park, on average up to an hour a day with my border collie, yet there is no indication as to what counts as 'over activity'!  Also are there any visible signs of hip displaysia?

Thanks

No this isn't true. Yes you do have to becareful with exercise, no overdoing it. Don't let it play mad games with older pups, let it play but not hard, rough and tumble games because wont do any of the joints any good. Up and down stairs should be avoided if possible.

I always let mine off the lead they have to learn how to come back and enjoy their walk. Go to www.thegoldenretrieverclub.co.uk and look at their puppy rearing advice. You can actually print it off.

Did you see you pups parent's hip score paperwork and do you know what their score was, the lower the figure the better.

Hi,

Totally agree with Yappy ,the website is very good also.

Briony:-)