Hip dysplasia is a common hereditary joint condition causing chronic pain and mobility loss in many dog breeds. Prevention begins with responsible breeding.
Hip dysplasia causes lifelong, progressive pain that significantly diminishes quality of life in affected dogs. Early arthritis, difficulty rising, reluctance to exercise, and bunny-hopping gait are visible signs of significant discomfort. Because the condition is largely heritable, it is substantially preventable through responsible breeding using radiographic screening programs. Unscreened breeding from affected or untested dogs creates entirely unnecessary suffering in puppies that will carry the condition for their entire lives. Pain management and surgical options improve quality of life but do not eliminate the underlying pathology.