Hip Situation

[April]

I have been noticing that Little Bo always sits to the side instead of sitting straight on. He always favors his right side to lean against. He seems to play and run alot and have lots of energy though. He loves to romp through the woods. I noted that when facing him I think his gait is a little side-winded as well. He is bow legged, of course, but I think they all are. Should this be an issue of concern or just something to keep an eye on?

[Sandi]

Hi April - Bug sits that way also. He is usually sitting on his left hip. I don't think he is really bow legged though. Some friends of ours have a Pug that is really bow legged and she has hip dysplasia. I would just ask your vet the next time you take bo in for his shots. They usually can check his knees also and make sure they are good. If they think there is a need then they will take x-rays of his hips. I think they recommend that they are older before doing this.
We are raising a service dog for Canine Companions for Independence and they wait until the dogs are over one year of age before doing hip and elbow x-rays. They can be costly also. So, Just ask your vet what he thinks. I would not worry about how he sits on his hip but if you are noticing a different gait on that one side it might be worth your piece of mind to have it checked out. His picture is adorable! How old is he?
Sandi

[April]

Thanks! Little Bo is about 12 weeks now. He is soooooo cute.
Since he loves to run and play especially through the woods which is highly negotiable for him to get through; I won't worry about it then. I am taking him back to the Vet this weekend for another round of shots so I will just ask them to check it out. Thanks for the advice?
Hi April - Bug sits that way also. He is usually sitting on his left hip. I don't think he is really bow legged though. Some friends of ours have a Pug that is really bow legged and she has hip dysplasia. I would just ask your vet the next time you take bo in for his shots. They usually can check his knees also and make sure they are good. If they think there is a need then they will take x-rays of his hips. I think they recommend that they are older before doing this.
We are raising a service dog for Canine Companions for Independence and they wait until the dogs are over one year of age before doing hip and elbow x-rays. They can be costly also. So, Just ask your vet what he thinks. I would not worry about how he sits on his hip but if you are noticing a different gait on that one side it might be worth your piece of mind to have it checked out. His picture is adorable! How old is he?
Sandi

[Sandi]

April - Where did you get Little Bo from? What breeder. I ask because all the breeders around me do not sell until they are 12 weeks old.
Sandi

[April]

I was researching breeders over the net for like 6 months and bombarding my boyfriend with emails of breeders that had frenchies available. One day, he must have liked the pic of Little Bo and called the breeder direct and bought him for me. The breeder was called Willow River from Oklahoma (they have a website and they sell all their puppies at 8 weeks). I did read that the frenchies should not be released until 12 weeks but most of the breeders I found on the web said they were ready at 8 weeks so I didnt' think it was a big deal. However, the breeder did charge us more than the agreed price and when Little Bo arrived with a very bad case of worms at the airport, and I had to rush him to the emergency vet hospital to get treated; the breeder never responded to my request for reimbursement for the visit since he was in that condition upon arrival. In fact, he has not responded to our calls regarding the overcharge. I guess it is buy at your own risk and I do not regret because I totally LOVE Little Bo.

[Sandi]

April - That is too bad that Little Bo had so many worms! That is where the breeders totally have you is because we would not be willing to give up our babies after we have fallen in love with them! I like you researched for months driving my husband and kids crazy. I went to local dog shows and met breeders in the area as well as breeders across the country by websites. Its hard to tell who is reputable and who is not. I was mainly looking for breeders that show their Frenchie's. As it turned out I met Bugs breeder at a dog show and she said that she had a little Frenchie that had a hiatel hernia that she would probably place in a "pet" home, or would have to euthanize. I told her I would be interested if she decided to place him. Several weeks later she called me to tell me that he was doing better and had gained some weight and would I like him? She gave him to us. She had no idea that he also had a diaphramatic hernia as well. So, even thought he was given to us he ended up costing us well over the price of a Frenchie after his surgery!!! My husband knew by the look on my face that I would not euthanize him and we just had to have the surgery done. Now I am sooooo glad we did! I cannot imagine life without him! I think Little Bo is glad to have you! Sounds like you take good care of him. It also sounds like you have a nice boyfriend!
Sandi

[April]

That is so nice that you adopted Bugs. I would have totally done that too; no expense spared! LIttle Bo is like my child. I am trying to be more stern with him but he continues to bite and act belligerent around Doug (my boyfriend) and to Doug's kids. I think he is trying to show that he is next in pecking order after the Mommy. He listens to me and snuggles me but acts like a baddie around others. I am going to try & sign up for the Puppy Classes this weekend but it might be full. I will try to get my new pics of Little Bo up on the site- he has gained about 7 or 8 lbs. I think since I first took the photos and he is CUTER THAN EVER!

[Pattie]

Sandi: We got Madison from a shelter & just had to pay a small fee, but we, like you could have purchased many Frenchies by now in all the vet bills we have had. And do you know what? I would not trade Madison for anything. He is so special that no matter what he ends up costing us, it's worth it. I hope Bugs is doing well.
April: Puppy classes for little Bo would probably be a good idea. These little guys can be so bad when they want to be. They just like things their own way, don't they?