I don't consider soft pasterns in a growing puppy to be any more serious than their ears going up and down during teething. Is it preferred? - No. Is it common? - yes. Certainly I've heard the stories of the RARE puppy who's pasterns never come up, just like the rare pup who's ears never come up. It's the exception and not the rule. I suspect in those cases they continued to over supplement or otherwise mismanage their nutrition. Inform your buyers in advance of the 'potential' and even include example photos of a pup who was soft but matured with perfect pasterns and you'll nip the "sky is falling" veternarians in the bud. Melissa www.melanashepherds.com ============================================================================ 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 ============================================================================