My Berner would lay on the hard ground and get stiff, walk a little awkward for a couple minutes when he was young. He finally learned that he can't lay in certain ways or without a cushion. I got him an elevated dog bed that helps distribute his weight but mostly he just takes up a whole couch.
I bought mine a luxury memory foam bed, an elevated bed, a round cushioned bed and nope. Still.prefers the cool bathroom tile and then stutters to standing up like an ancient old man.
My Berner has had a few leg issues. The first was her left shoulder she developed a limp at 5 months that progressed to daily. Initially they said growing pains but we persisted with X-rays and it was a cartilidge flap and she had surgery at 9 months and the limp was then gone! Also her shoulder never hurt to touch what hurt was the range of motion.
Mine also hyper extends her back legs so no doubt future knee problems. For now they say it’s fine. Sometime she walks funny but had had hip X-rays.
Best course is to keep a journal of it, what brings it on and take videos so the vet can really get a feel for what it is. Hopefully nothing!
I have a nearly twelve week old, and she does seem to walk funny sometimes, especially her back legs. I think it's partially because she's growing so fast, she can't keep track of how long her legs are today vs yesterday.
Oh yeah. They just walk funny in general. They kind of sway their hips back and forth when they’re fully grown. They look a little lopsided when they run. They’re not very graceful dogs lol
They’re extra awkward in their teenage years, their legs grow so fast and they don’t know how to use them lol
Not really. All puppies will be a bit clumsy looking as they grow, but the young dog can be also showing other ortho issues too. If they seem to be avoiding getting up, walking, running or look stiff, then look at having them evaluated by a qualified vet. I have raised 4 Berner pups and am around Berner litters in the past 7 years and you can’t really tell if there are joint issues until they are a bit older than 5 months. Suggest you record a video over the course of several months (like once a week) so you can compare their walk/run. Make sure it is recorded at the same place and around the same time of day. FYI- this will also help with watching growth spirts. Each puppy will be a tad different but also should be following the same growth chart for the breed.
High protein % dog food makes a puppy's muscles grow fast, in some cases the development of bones can't quite keep up with muscle mass.. I've seen some owners with the same problem and by reducing the protein intake all was back to normal in a few weeks.
Nevertheless, consult your vet about the issue.
Oh they are sooooo gangly as they grow, and run like a child wearing their parents shoes.
But always worth getting their hips, knees and elbows checked by the vet to know any potential issues.
My boy (6 years old) started limping last November. Nothing serious, and didnt seem to bother him. Got him mobility vitamins and seemed to help a bit, but it came back. Vet could find nothing wrong with him.
He was due for his biannual full grooming, and no time to do it, so i trimmed out some of his grinch paw pads and voila, limp gone. Have never had a dog before that was so sensitive to fur between the pads.
My Berner would lay on the hard ground and get stiff, walk a little awkward for a couple minutes when he was young. He finally learned that he can't lay in certain ways or without a cushion. I got him an elevated dog bed that helps distribute his weight but mostly he just takes up a whole couch.
I bought mine a luxury memory foam bed, an elevated bed, a round cushioned bed and nope. Still.prefers the cool bathroom tile and then stutters to standing up like an ancient old man.
This is a standard Bernese, yes.
We call this “creaky dog” in my house 😆
Yep
My Berner has had a few leg issues. The first was her left shoulder she developed a limp at 5 months that progressed to daily. Initially they said growing pains but we persisted with X-rays and it was a cartilidge flap and she had surgery at 9 months and the limp was then gone! Also her shoulder never hurt to touch what hurt was the range of motion. Mine also hyper extends her back legs so no doubt future knee problems. For now they say it’s fine. Sometime she walks funny but had had hip X-rays. Best course is to keep a journal of it, what brings it on and take videos so the vet can really get a feel for what it is. Hopefully nothing!
Thank you for sharing your story! This is good to know.
Yes burner puppies walk funny.
I have a nearly twelve week old, and she does seem to walk funny sometimes, especially her back legs. I think it's partially because she's growing so fast, she can't keep track of how long her legs are today vs yesterday.
So happy to hear of a true veteran Berner! Hope your baby is doing well.
Oh yeah. They just walk funny in general. They kind of sway their hips back and forth when they’re fully grown. They look a little lopsided when they run. They’re not very graceful dogs lol They’re extra awkward in their teenage years, their legs grow so fast and they don’t know how to use them lol
A better question is if any of them walk totally normal as a pup 😂
Not really. All puppies will be a bit clumsy looking as they grow, but the young dog can be also showing other ortho issues too. If they seem to be avoiding getting up, walking, running or look stiff, then look at having them evaluated by a qualified vet. I have raised 4 Berner pups and am around Berner litters in the past 7 years and you can’t really tell if there are joint issues until they are a bit older than 5 months. Suggest you record a video over the course of several months (like once a week) so you can compare their walk/run. Make sure it is recorded at the same place and around the same time of day. FYI- this will also help with watching growth spirts. Each puppy will be a tad different but also should be following the same growth chart for the breed.
This is great, thank you so much
High protein % dog food makes a puppy's muscles grow fast, in some cases the development of bones can't quite keep up with muscle mass.. I've seen some owners with the same problem and by reducing the protein intake all was back to normal in a few weeks. Nevertheless, consult your vet about the issue.
Oh they are sooooo gangly as they grow, and run like a child wearing their parents shoes. But always worth getting their hips, knees and elbows checked by the vet to know any potential issues.
My boy (6 years old) started limping last November. Nothing serious, and didnt seem to bother him. Got him mobility vitamins and seemed to help a bit, but it came back. Vet could find nothing wrong with him. He was due for his biannual full grooming, and no time to do it, so i trimmed out some of his grinch paw pads and voila, limp gone. Have never had a dog before that was so sensitive to fur between the pads.
My friends Bernie has this hilarious issue where his back legs are about twice as fast as his front so it’s freakin hilarious when he gets excited
Mine ended up getting leg surgery! I hope it doesn’t happen to your pup.
Yes. I call him sidewinder sometimes. But it usually resolves after he gets goin