Dog Hip Dysplasia: Prevention Through Breeding

Canine hip dysplasia causes chronic pain in large breeds, with breeding screening programs progressively reducing prevalence across generations.

Key Facts

Hip dysplasia affects approximately 15-20% of large breed dogs with significant breed variation
The BVA/KC hip scheme scores hips from radiographs with breeding recommendations based on breed mean scores
PennHIP methodology measures distraction index providing early and more objective assessment
Heritability is approximately 0.4-0.6 meaning selection can significantly reduce prevalence over generations
Environmental factors including excessive early exercise, overfeeding, and obesity influence clinical severity
Total hip replacement provides excellent functional outcomes in severely affected young dogs
Conservative management with NSAIDs, physiotherapy, and weight management helps mild to moderate cases

Welfare Considerations

Hip dysplasia causes chronic pain that affects every step in severely affected dogs. The degenerative arthritis secondary to abnormal hip conformation progresses throughout life. Puppies with severe dysplasia experience pain from early in life during what should be a joyful developmental period. Breeding selection using hip schemes progressively reduces the proportion of puppies born with this preventable condition. The welfare dividend from decades of screening programs is measurable in reduced prevalence in tested breeds.

What You Can Do

Use breeders who score both parents with BVA or PennHIP and breed below the breed mean
Avoid over-exercising growing large breed puppies to minimize mechanical loading on developing hips
Feed large breed puppy food to prevent excessive early growth that worsens hip development
Maintain healthy adult weight as obesity dramatically worsens hip dysplasia pain and progression
Seek surgical consultation for young severely affected dogs before secondary arthritis develops
Support breed clubs that make hip screening mandatory for registered breeding animals