Hip Dysplasia in Dogs: Myths and Facts

Modern day myths about our dogs are almost uncountable. Hip dysplasia is one topic where the myths fly. Misinformation on this well-known disease is often passed on as fact. There is much we don't know about hip dysplasia but research continues and myths are dispelled in time. Misinformation about hip dysplasia is often used as an example in arguments about dog breeders, puppy mills, purebreds and pound puppies. This same misinformation slanders some breeds, most notably the Labrador Retriever and the Great Dane. Let's take a look at some of the biggest myths about hip dysplasia.

Hip Dysplasia Myth - Only large dogs have hip dysplasia

The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) lists the Bulldog as the most likely to present hip dysplasia with as many as 73.6% showing dysplastic hips on x-rays. The second most affected breed is the Pug at 62.6%. The Sussex Spaniel checks in at number eight for hip dysplasia at 45.3%. Other small dogs included on the top twenty hip dysplasia list are the Boykin Terrier, French Bulldog, Norfolk Terrier, American Bulldog, and Glen of Imaal Terrier. These seven of the twenty breeds with most hip dysplasia occurrence all weigh in at 50 pounds or less and all have a greater than 30% occurrence of hip dysplasia.

Hip Dysplasia Myth - Labradors, German Shepherds and others are extremely prone to hip dysplasia

Dozens of articles rant about the Labrador's high incidence of hip dysplasia when, in fact, Labrador Retrievers are far down the list of dysplastic dog breeds at #79. Only 12.1% of Labrador Retrievers have hip dysplasia. Number 80 is the Great Dane, another breed that is mythologically heavily affected with 11.4% of dogs having dyplastic hips. Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs weigh in at #40 with hip dysplasia manifesting in 19%. German Shepherd Dogs have a 19.1% chance of being dysplastic. Rottweilers (20.4%) and Golden Retrievers (20%) are two other breeds that are reputed to have very large percentages of dysplasia who aren't as bad as the myth.

Hip Dysplasia Myth - Mixed breeds and rescue dogs are less likely to have hip dysplasia

Owners of unregistered dogs rarely learn anything about the condition of their dogs' hips until the dog shows symptoms, entirely too late to prevent breeding. Backyard breeders and puppy mills don't care about the health of future generations of their dogs' offspring. Hip dysplasia is a genetic disease and no one has any way of evaluating healthy hips without a long genetic background and adequate testing. The only reliable, verifiable statistics on hip dysplasia incidence come from reputable breeders of purebred dogs who submit x-rays generation after generation. The person adopting a puppy from a shelter or a neighbor, or purchasing from a puppy mill or pet shop has no idea what that pup's hip heritage might be.

Hip Dysplasia Myth - All dogs with hip dysplasia have horrible symptoms

Hip dysplasia is more unpredictable than we might think. In fact, some dogs with severely dysplastic hips are completely symptom free. Others, who manifest only mild dysplasia seem to live with excruciating pain. Hip dysplasia is defined as a looseness in the hip joint of the dog. Only x-rays can define an animal as dyplastic. Most dysplastic dogs do not exhibit outward symptoms as very young dogs, hip dysplasia creeps up on them Millions of dogs with dysplasia live in comfort with regular doses or other pain relievers. Be sure to discuss any treatment with your veterinarian.

Hip Dysplasia Myth - Hip dysplasia is the same as arthritis

This is completely false. Hip dysplasia is a malformation of the hip joint in combination with the femoral head. For a more detailed description see "Hip Dysplasia in Dogs: Do Heredity and Nutrition Affect Your Dog's Hip Health?" A dog may have both and each disease may aggravate the other but they are not the same disease.

Hip dysplasia is one of many genetic diseases our canine companions are vulnerable to. The statistics I have presented come from The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals. The OFA was started as a way to track lines of purebred dogs with hip dysplasia. Owners of any dog can have their dog's x-rays read by OFA for a reasonable fee. Results for purebred dogs will be added to the OFA's breed database if the dog's breed registry number is on the x-ray. Reputable breeders submit x-rays of all their breeding stock and encourage their puppy buyers to send in results when the pups grow up.

As a lover of purebred Newfoundlands (now at 23.5% dysplastic) I researched hip dysplasia and how to find dogs that had a low chance of being afflicted. I am happy to say that at 10 years old my Newfies are happy, healthy and hip dysplasia free. (I have the x-rays and OFA certificates to prove it.) Reputable breeders can help you find puppies that have an optimistic future, too, with low chance of hip dysplasia and other genetic faults.

All statistics in this article were extracted on May 11, 2009, from The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals website. http://www.offa.org/hipstatbreed.html