OT: the breeder FINALLY has a replacement Chow puppy for me!

Congratulations, Lora. I know you must be so excited! Dogs are such loving companions that forgive us even when we let them down. My dog behaves so much better than my children too, and is much less work! Augustus will be with you before you know it. You two will have such great memories.

how did I miss this post!! WOW! I am so excited for you! Super happy here!

Soy for you Lora!

awww, adorable!  I am so glad you are going to be getting your new puppy!

Congratulations.  The puppy is adorable, as are all puppies.  I fear hip dysplasia because I read that Golden Retrievers are prone to it also rather through genetics or if they do not eat a proper diet and their bones grow too fast as a puppy and they are not strong and dense.  I obsess over every little detail about my two golden puppies and their health, I can't image how horrible having to put a young dog down was for you, especially from something genetic that you can't control.  Good luck and hopefully the new puppy is perfect.

Thanks.  Your puppies are adorable!

I did a lot of reading on hip dysplasia, and the genetic component is MUCH stronger than growth patterns or early nutrition.  (We could see that Khan's walk was "off" by the time he was 6 months old, but his case was categorized as severe by the time he was a little over a year old.)  Development of dysplasia once dogs move into old age is more nutrition dependent, when arthritis and ligament breakdown can cause the dysplasia. 

Lora

Yes, there are, but they are usually mixed breeds and you cannot COUNT on them actually having the temperament to be a guard dog, and I want a guard dog not just a watchdog.  My Scottie barks at everything that moves within 500 feet of the house, but would probably not protect me (and, at 25 pounds, would have limited success even if he tried). 

Because of my PTSD, it is important that I know the dog will intimidate strangers (Chows  have a very deep, menacing bark and (somewhat unfairly) have a reputation for being "mean", both of which work in my favor) and will actually protect me if the occasion arises.  We had Chows when i was growing up and I know that they are fiercely loyal and protective of their owners and that a Chow will, indeed step in if someone threatens me.  They are also a perfect fit for the somewhat small yard I have and my knee limits me in how much exercise I can give a dog (most other breeds of larger guard dogs require more of it than I can provide).

Lora