Hip dysplasia is one of the most common orthopedic conditions in dogs, causing pain and reduced mobility that affects quality of life throughout a dog's life. Prevention through breeding screening and management of affected dogs are both welfare priorities.
Hip dysplasia creates a welfare burden that compounds over years. Young dogs with dysplasia experience pain during the rapid growth phase when joint laxity causes abnormal wear. As arthritis develops, chronic pain becomes the dominant welfare problem. Dogs may compensate and appear 'fine' despite significant pain, masking their suffering from owners. The preventable component of hip dysplasia - through responsible breeding from radiographically screened parents - makes each affected dog born from unscreened parents a welfare outcome that could have been avoided. Even with good management, affected dogs face a life with ongoing pain that requires active, long-term commitment from owners to control adequately.