My precious Khan needs to be put to sleep, and he isn't even 2 yet

I am so sorry :(

I'm very sorry that you have to make this decision.  :(  

{{{{{HUGS}}}}}

OMG, I am SOOOO sorry! I remember when you got him. He is the cutest, sweetest dog. My heart goes out to you and Khan. I know there are no words I can say but know that I'm crying with you.

Jan

I'm so sorry to hear about your sweet boy. You and Khan are in my thoughts.

I'm so sorry you have to go through this. I would be angry too.

I know this is probably not what you want to do, but the AKC needs to be aware of this breeder and they need to be aware of Khan's passing. Make sure you get a copy of the vet report that has the hip dysplasia diagnosis, a copy of the euthanasia vet bill or death certificate and a copy of Khan's AKC papers; send them in together.

The breeder has been very good about the whole thing and they stopped breeding that pair as soon as I told them that I suspected that Khan had the dysplasia.  (They currently have 8 or 9 males and 16 females, so it is not a hardship for them to avoid breeding that particular pair (although they have had previous litters together without any reported dysplasia).)

She has 5 litters coming this month and next, and 4 of them might have red puppies, so I told her I would take a red male from any of the litters except the one sired by Khan's littermate (since he may be a carrier even though his hips are ok).

Lora

Wow, that's a lot of litters.....

I'm very sorry for you loss.  I have had my fair share of heartbreak with losing dogs far too young in the past and dealing with significant health issues with others.

Hopefully the breeder is health testing all their dogs (and especially getting OFA ratings) on all their breeding "stocks" hips.

Personally if they aren't fully health testing I would walk away from the "free" puppy.

Yes, the breeder is quite responsible and has all of her dogs tested before they are bred.  They do NO inbreeding and only limited line breeding. Their Chows have amazing temperaments (they are very friendly for Chows, who are normally quite reserved with strangers), and because they take such pride in the health and quality of their dogs they offer a 3-year guarantee against genetic defects.  I did tell her, though, that I did not want a puppy from the litter that Khan's littermate (whom they kept) sired,.  Even though he has been tested and X-rayed, I would still worry about the possibility of the genes for dysplasia in his offspring.

Lora

That's good to hear that they are such responsible breeders Lora!  I get worried when I hear of breeders having so many breeding dogs and multiple litters per year.

It's a real testament to them that their dogs are so friendly, as you say Chows are normally quite reserved.

It's good that they are health testing.  And it wouldn't hurt for you to go to www.offa.org and check out the vertical pedigree's of their dog's test results to get a look at what the hip scores have been so that you can "try" and put the odds more in your favour by getting a puppy out of a pedigree that has multiple generations of Good or Excellent Hips.
  
I hope your new puppy brings you much joy and helps to heal your broken heart.

I've had Great Danes for almost 20 years and they truly are a heartbreak breed.  I've lost 3 beloved family members so I know what you are going through.  

That's an excellent suggestion!  I did not know that I could do that.  Thanks.

Lora