There is a lot of informative and interesting matter written on the subject, well worth a few hours reading, but rather too much to list here. Several good books and well worth a "surf" on the net! Try www.google.com and enter "Hip Dysplasia" in the search box.

This condition and a list of other "nasties" which can effect GSD's are of course not restricted to just Shepherds, but are also found in a number of other breeds. As with any animal or indeed us humans, when you look at the list of diseases which could strike at any time it's a miracle to think anything living exists on this planet! So don't panic, your Mutt will most likely outlive you!