Dog Hip Dysplasia Welfare and Management

Canine hip dysplasia (CHD) is a heritable developmental condition causing joint laxity, pain, and osteoarthritis - one of the most important welfare issues in pedigree dogs.

Key Facts

Hip dysplasia affects a significant proportion of large and giant breed dogs - some breeds have prevalence over 50%
The condition is polygenic and heritable; selective breeding using hip scoring schemes has reduced prevalence in screened populations
Joint laxity in young dogs leads to abnormal wear and progressive osteoarthritis
Pain often begins in puppyhood but may not be recognised until severe arthritis develops
BVA/KC Hip Scheme and PennHIP are established scoring programmes in the UK and US respectively
Treatment ranges from conservative management (physiotherapy, weight control) to total hip replacement

Welfare Considerations

Hip dysplasia causes chronic pain that is frequently under-recognised and undertreated in dogs. Welfare is compromised both by the condition itself and by breeding practices that perpetuate high-prevalence lines. Puppy buyers who select from health-tested parents and breed registries significantly reduce the chance of producing affected offspring. For affected dogs, early intervention - weight management, controlled exercise, physiotherapy, appropriate analgesia - can maintain good quality of life for many years.

What You Can Do

Only purchase large breed puppies from parents with formal hip scores on BVA/KC or PennHIP schemes
Ask your vet for hip assessment if your large breed dog shows exercise intolerance or bunny-hopping gait
Maintain lean body weight - every extra kilogram increases joint load substantially
Explore physiotherapy and hydrotherapy for muscle support and pain management
Discuss long-term pain management plans with your vet for affected dogs
Support breeding programme reforms that prioritise reducing CHD prevalence