Hmmm... I think whether it's appropriate or not depends on the perspective of the dog's person: As an owner who in this case, purchased a pet pup to be trained and competitive in agility, it would be quite devastating to know that my activities were to come to an early retirement, knowing that chances were we wouldn't be able to keep trailing as long as I'd thought... But, so long as the dog wasn't suffering, why take away everyone's fun?!? As a breeder/handler/owner/trainer, truth be told, that dog would become a house pet only and be altered. While I am one who firmly believes why put down a dog who isn't suffering, I am also of limited means. I would have to take the $$$ and spend it on another dog in the house for the most part- other than the occasional foray for crippled agility dog to have fun or finish up a title anyhow. If I were rich the dog would get new hips and keep trialling anyhow. !! I had to reply to this topic, knowing of multiple GSDs who DO compete in agility who have either bad hips or a bad elbow (hips mild,moderate & elbows from UAP 1 to FCP 2. I knew a GSD who was an agility champion who had a grade 4 heart murmur. Now that owner had to kick it around what to do some, but came to the conclusion that if the dog dropped dead running agility, then it had been having fun! In the end, no matter the money, time, or show availability. The decision is in the will of the dog, not what we would want for them. Jen P & the Pack JayDee's Proud-Haus Shepherds/Proud K911 www.jaydeesphs.com Committed to the Total Dog you can be Proud of!!! AKC Breeder of Merit > On Oct 29, 2013, at 13:12, daphne@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx wrote: > > Here is question that could stir conversation - Would you consider it > appropriate to exhibit a dog almost weekly in Agility Competition if > you knew the dog failed hip and elbow x-rays (dysplastic in all four > legs)? > > Daphne Hereford > Owner/Breeder RIN TIN TIN Line Dogs > www.HollywoodDogs.com > > ===========================================================================> > POST is Copyrighted 2012. 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. > > Each Author is responsible for the content of his/her post. This group and > its administrators are not responsible for the comments or opinions expressed > in any post. > > 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@xxxxxxxxxxx > > VISIT OUR WEBSITE - http://showgsd.org > SUBSCRIPTION:http://showgsd.org/mail.html > NATIONAL BLOG - http://gsdnational.blogspot.com/ > =========================================================================== ============================================================================ POST is Copyrighted 2012. 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. Each Author is responsible for the content of his/her post. This group and its administrators are not responsible for the comments or opinions expressed in any post. 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@xxxxxxxxxxx VISIT OUR WEBSITE - http://showgsd.org SUBSCRIPTION:http://showgsd.org/mail.html NATIONAL BLOG - http://gsdnational.blogspot.com/ ============================================================================