Dog Hip Dysplasia: Breeding Improvement and Management

Hip dysplasia is a heritable developmental condition causing progressive joint degeneration and chronic pain in predisposed breeds, with breeding improvement programmes demonstrably reducing its prevalence.

Key Facts

Hip dysplasia is caused by abnormal development of the hip joint leading to laxity, arthritis, and pain
Large breeds including German Shepherds, Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, and Rottweilers have high prevalence
The BVA/KC Hip Dysplasia Scheme scores radiographs of breeding dogs — lower scores indicate better hip conformation
Mean hip scores have fallen significantly in many breeds since the scheme began, demonstrating breeding programme effectiveness
Clinical signs include hindlimb lameness, reluctance to exercise, difficulty rising, and a bunny-hopping gait
Total hip replacement produces excellent welfare outcomes but is expensive; femoral head and neck excision is an alternative

Welfare Considerations

Hip dysplasia causes chronic pain from progressive joint degeneration that begins in young dogs and worsens throughout life without management. The condition is both a welfare and an ethical breeding issue — continued use of untested dogs in breeds with known high prevalence perpetuates preventable suffering in subsequent generations. The success of the BVA/KC Hip Dysplasia Scheme in reducing mean hip scores in several breeds demonstrates that breeding-based welfare improvement works when breeders and buyers engage with it. From a management perspective, weight control, appropriate controlled exercise, anti-inflammatory therapy, and physiotherapy can significantly reduce pain and maintain quality of life in affected dogs.

What You Can Do

Source dogs from breeds with known hip dysplasia risk only from parents with BVA/KC hip-scored results below breed mean
Manage weight meticulously in hip dysplasia-prone breeds — every kilogram of excess weight significantly worsens joint loading
Discuss multimodal pain management with your vet if your dog shows hindlimb stiffness or reluctance to exercise
Consider physiotherapy and hydrotherapy alongside pharmaceutical pain management for hip dysplasia — functional outcomes are better with combined approaches