Hip dysplasia is one of the most common and welfare-significant inherited conditions in dogs, causing progressive joint deterioration, chronic pain, and mobility impairment — yet it is largely preventable through responsible breeding.
Hip dysplasia welfare impact spans the entire life of an affected dog — from puppyhood discomfort through progressive adult pain to end-of-life mobility impairment. Dogs with hip dysplasia may show subtle signs — reluctance to play, bunny-hopping gait, difficulty rising — that owners attribute to personality rather than pain. Force plate gait analysis confirms that dogs with radiographic hip dysplasia experience significant pain at forces below clinical lameness thresholds — meaning many dogs live with undertreated chronic pain. The breeding prevention pathway is well-established and highly effective: decades of mandatory OFA screening in working breed registries have demonstrably reduced prevalence. The welfare failure is in the companion dog market, where breeding decisions are made for appearance, colour, or convenience rather than health, perpetuating preventable suffering across millions of dogs. Responsible ownership includes purchasing only from health-tested breeders and maintaining healthy bodyweight throughout life.