Arthritis in Staffies

I've got a 14 week old girl and she's managed to turn funny on her leg while playing and fractured the joint in her front legs elbow, the vet told me that she was likely to get arthritis as she got older and staffies were a breed that were most resilient to getting arthritis normally but I looked it up online and it says it's common for them to develop it when they get to 7-8 years old.

Which is true? Do they develop it at that age at the same rate any other dog would or was he right in saying she wouldn't have likely developed it if she hadn't damaged her joint this early in her development?

In my experience (and also been told by several vets) that staffords are very prone to artritis. They have quite skinny legs and small feet for a powerful dog. My current girl Belle was diagnosed at only 3 years old. My last girl Maisie had it from around 8 years old.
My advise would be - don`t panic !! They can lead a good ,full life with it if you are sensible. I would not over do any extreme excersise such as continually chasing a ball. If you do, make it at the end of your walk when she is more tired. I would also get her on glucosomine now as a preventative measure.

Good advice from GMH. Moo was diagnosed with arthritis when she was 3ish, it hasn't stopped us doing what we like, we have changed certain things and she is supplements (yumove and aloe vera gel).

Don't worry, if she gets it she gets it and you won't know if the damage aided it or not, but she may well never have it anyway

Aw, thanks, that really helps, I was happy to deal with it as and when it happens I just wanted to know if it could have happened injury or not.

I'll pop into the introduction threads sometime soon and post her adorablness for everyone to Aww over. I really appreciate the help/advice.

Do pop over and say hi, we love pics, and chatting about anything really