I remember the first show pup that I ever got--a solid black from Ellen Heintz (my best friend.) Sunyab had a hernia and I wanted her to be "perfect", novice that I was! I should've waited to have her hernia fixed and her hips x-rayed at the same time, but I didn't. By the by, she was OFA Excellent. So, I would combine that hernia surgery either with a spaying (if the pup is a pet) or an x-ray. At any rate, wait until he's at least 6 months old. Penny in NY ============================================================================ POST is Copyrighted 2005. All material remains the property of the original author and of GSD Communication, Inc. NO REPRODUCTIONS or FORWARDS of any kind are permitted without prior permission of the original author AND of the Showgsd-l Management. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. ALL PERSONS ARE ON NOTICE THAT THE FORWARDING, REPRODUCTION OR USE IN ANY MANNER OF ANY MATERIAL WHICH APPEARS ON SHOWGSD-L WITHOUT THE EXPRESS PERMISSION OF ALL PARTIES TO THE POST AND THE LIST MANAGEMENT IS EXPRESSLY FORBIDDEN, AND IS A VIOLATION OF LAW. VIOLATORS OF THIS PROHIBITION WILL BE PROSECUTED. For assistance, please contact the List Management at admin@xxxxxxxxxxxx VISIT OUR WEBSITE - http://www.showgsd.org ============================================================================