Hip dysplasia is a heritable developmental disease causing chronic pain and reduced mobility in affected dogs, with prevention through responsible breeding and management through multimodal treatment central to welfare.
Hip dysplasia causes chronic pain that progressively worsens as arthritis develops in the abnormally formed joint. Young dogs with hip dysplasia may show reluctance to exercise, difficulty rising, and a characteristic swaying gait. As arthritis progresses, chronic pain becomes the dominant welfare concern. The condition is substantially heritable, meaning responsible breeding decisions based on hip scoring of parent dogs can reduce its prevalence. Once present, management focuses on pain control, weight maintenance, and physiotherapy to preserve function. Total hip replacement is highly effective but expensive, creating an access gap for dogs whose owners cannot afford surgical intervention. The welfare burden of inadequately managed hip dysplasia extends across years of a dog life.