The Myth of Big Dogs Only Getting Hip Dysplasia

One myth I constantly hear is that big dogs have hip problems and small dogs don't. While it's true that many big dogs have hip dysplasia, many small dogs do too, only pet owners who have big dogs tend to chalk up hip problems to the breed or the size, and not the breeding, itself.

I've been a sled dog racer, shown and trained Alaskan Malamutes in conformation and performance sports, and pet expert for more than 20 years. With one exception, none of my fifty plus large dogs have ever had hip dysplasia.

Facts Don't Lie

While this is anecdotal, facts don't lie. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals has been keeping records of dogs with hip dysplasia for more than thirty-five years. They provide solid evidence that shows dog breeds that have predilections for hip dysplasia.

A Large Dog Disease?

The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals list the ten worst dogs for hip dysplasia from data compiled from 1974 to 2009:

1. Bulldog

2. Pug

3. Dogue De Bordeaux

4. Otterhound

5. Neapolitan Mastiff

6. Saint Bernard

7. Clumber Spaniel

8. Black Russian Terrier

9. Sussex Spaniel

10. Cane Corso

These dog breeds have more than 40% of the examined dogs diagnosed as dysplastic, and in the case of the Bulldog and Pug, more than 73% and 63% were determined dysplastic, respectively. About 40% of the dogs listed would not be considered large dogs, and if we expand to the top 20 breeds with hip dysplasia, you would find that unlikely dogs such as the Bassett Hound, the Boykin Spaniel, the Norfolk Terrier, the American Bulldog, the French Bulldog and the Glen of Imaal Terrier are on the list.

Clearly, half the breeds are smaller dogs and even mutts or mixed breeds show up with hip dysplasia too.

What Causes Hip Dysplasia?

So, if size isn't a determining factor of hip dysplasia, what is? Hip dysplasia is a hereditary disease that causes malformation of the hip joint. Because it isn't cause by just one gene, it's hard to predict except through special screenings and evaluations. Hip dysplasia is endemic in dogs and any breed is susceptible to it.

Responsible breeders will x-ray the hips of the puppies' parents to be certain that the parents' hips are good. The OFA will give a rating such as EXCELLENT, GOOD, FAIR or POOR and actually rank how dysplastic the hips are. Without this kind of certification, there's no guarantee that your dog or puppy won't develop hip dysplasia. Even with the screenings, it's not fool-proof that your dog won't develop hip dysplasia, but the chance is less likely.

Size Doesn't Matter

Remember that when it comes to hip problems, size doesn't matter. Small dogs can have hip problems just like the big dogs, which means you still can't depend on avoiding hip problems with the breed alone. Only careful screening will help you find a healthy pet.

References

Hip Dysplasia Statistics

The Dysplastic Hip Joint