Easy answer. They can overcome the problem, or it never bothers them. We have seen dogs who worked all their lives, and then are x-rayed and found to have bad hips. Most animals are never x-rayed. Since the majority are x-rayed when they limp, we don't have a good data base to know what is actually going on. Evan Asgard German Shepherds http://www.asgardgsd.com/ Where Type Movement and Temperament come together In a message dated 5/25/2008 5:12:42 P.M. Pacific Daylight Time, dan-ann@xxxxxxxx writes: How can so many of these DJD I dogs live entire lives running, jumping, living what appears to be a comfortable life if they have a serious elbow abnormality? **************Get trade secrets for amazing burgers. Watch "Cooking with Tyler Florence" on AOL Food. (http://food.aol.com/tyler-florence?video=4&?NCID=aolfod00030000000002) ============================================================================ POST is Copyrighted 2007. 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 - www.showgsd.org ============================================================================