This question reaches us often – from visitors across our website and social channels to prospective Šarplaninac owners.
It’s a deeply important yet sensitive topic, one we’ll address thoroughly by exploring scientific insights, diagnostic methods, and genetic realities.
Before we begin: I am not a veterinarian!
Treat this as a breeder’s perspective, not medical advice. Always consult your vet, research independently, and draw your own informed conclusions.
What Is Hip Dysplasia in Dogs?
Imagine your dog’s hip joint as a ball fitting into a socket. With hip dysplasia, that ball doesn’t sit snugly, it rattles around. It’s like trying to drive a car with wobbly wheels (everything wears out faster).
This looseness causes grinding, pain, and wear over time, leading to arthritis. It’s not an infection or injury; it’s a mismatch in growth between bones and soft tissues as your puppy develops.
Why Does It Happen?
Genetics: Some breeds inherit higher risk.
Growth speed matters: Puppies who grow too fast or carry excess weight strain their developing joints.
Activity impacts it: Slippery floors or high-impact jumping (like fetching frisbees) can worsen weak hips.
Bigger dogs often face this because their joints grow faster than their bodies can support. But any dog can develop it – purebred or mutt, young or old.
I see two tightly linked words as crucial: genetics and rapid growth. Why? Because together, they prove hip dysplasia develops over time – it’s not present at birth.
And since many genes are involved (polygenic inheritance), we’re led to ask …
Inbreeding and Hip Dysplasia?
I found an interesting study – analyzed pedigrees of 41,728 dogs across 9 breeds and examined hip dysplasia (HD) in 1,745 dogs.
Surprisingly, it found breeds with higher levels of inbreeding actually had lower rates of hip dysplasia. Breeds where a single ancestor heavily influenced the gene pool also showed less HD.
The research suggests keeping inbreeding below 3.25% (roughly equivalent to cousins mating) is safe for hip health when breeders rigorously select dogs with good hips.
However, the study stresses that all breeding dogs must still undergo direct hip screening – inbreeding alone doesn’t guarantee healthy joints, and HD remains a complex condition requiring individual assessment. [1]
Can Dogs With Excellent Hip Scores Produce Dysplastic Offspring?
You’ll often see breeders advertising puppies on social media, proudly showcasing the parents’ certifications: “HD-A & ED-0” – proof of excellent hips and elbows.
The comments flood in: “A serious breeder! Well done! …”
But what truly impresses me? Breeders who provide 5-6 generations of health records – both sire and dam lines.
That sends a powerful message: “I’ve done everything possible to prioritize health“. You have my sincere respect!
Yet I’ve always wondered: Can dogs with perfect scores still produce puppies with poor hips or elbows?
Let’s see what science says …
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Founded in 1966 to combat these conditions, the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) has driven progress – yet 50 years of selective breeding and research haven’t removed them from the top threats to canine welfare.
Some breeds show improvement, but the battle is far from won. This reality forces agonizing choices on breeders:
- Dogs with excellent hips can produce dysplastic puppies.
- Dogs with fair hips might yield healthy offspring.
Do we cull all breeding candidates with imperfect scores? What if the breed already suffers from dangerous genetic bottlenecks and multiple health crises?
Is pairing a dog with “fair” hips to one with “excellent” scores an acceptable risk? Should a dog with one bad hip be bred? Or one from a litter where siblings had perfect hips?
OFA data (Keller 2012) quantifies the dilemma:
- Breeding two “excellent”-rated dogs still yields 3.6% dysplastic offspring.
- Pairing two “mildly” affected dogs produces ~70% acceptable hips—but incomplete data submission likely paints an overly optimistic picture. [2]
There are no easy answers!
Fries and Remedios (1995)
When discussing hereditary risks in breeding programs, the 1995 study by Dr. Fries and Dr. Remedios remains foundational. Their work exposed a harsh truth:
- Even when both parents have radiographically normal hips, 37,5% of their offspring could still develop canine hip dysplasia (CHD).
- The risk escalated to 52% if one parent was dysplastic and a staggering 85% if both parents were affected. [3]
From the above we can conclude that reducing CHD demands rigorous multi-generational genetic screening (not merely checking parental hip scores).
To conclude this section, I’d like to share some data I encountered from Rosenberg Chiropractic Clinic’s research on canine health …
Breeding outcomes for hip dysplasia (HD):
- Two parents with good hips: 10% risk in offspring.
- Good × fair hips: 15% risk.
- Two parents with fair hips: 20% risk.
- Two parents with HD: 36% risk. [4]
These figures show moderately more optimistic outcomes than those reported in foundational 1995 research.
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The Genetics vs. Environment Factors?
Before answering this question, I want to highlight a crucial reality about hip dysplasia.
While research has not yet identified every genetic factor involved, we do know that multiple genes contribute to abnormal joint development.
Many dog owners automatically assume dysplasia is purely genetic – blaming either the breeder or bad bloodlines. But this overlooks a critical piece of the puzzle: environmental factors play an equally important role.
Using various sources (literature, publicly available study reports), I’ve found genetics typically account for 15-40% of dysplasia risk, while environmental factors like improper nutrition, excessive exercise during growth periods, and weight management make up the remaining 60-85%.
What is Elbow Dysplasia in Dogs?
Another widely discussed problem in dog breeding is elbow dysplasia. Like hip dysplasia (HD), it is classified as a group of developmental diseases. It is a complex disease underlying osteochondrosis – a defect in cartilage ossification during bone growth.
Elbow dysplasia is a collective name for 3 different pathological conditions: Fragmented Coronoid Process (FCP), Ununited Anconeal Process (UAP), and Osteochondrosis of the Humeral Head (OCD). Irregularities on the elbow joint surfaces often occur.
One or both elbows can be affected, in both males and females. In some breeds, this defect is more frequently described in males.
Elbow dysplasia can be noticed as early as 4-6 months of age. All three elbow disorders (FCP, UAP, OCD) can be surgically removed, which is likely the reason this defect hasn’t been as thoroughly and genetically studied as HD. Genetically, ED is considered a disease caused by multiple genes, called polygenic inheritance.
The genetic control of this defect is still not entirely clear.
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Structure
Elbows have a complex structure, and any change in the normal configuration leads to pain and limited use of the limb.
Elbow dysplasia is a pathological condition affecting one or more areas of the elbow joint.
In many cases, osteochondrosis of the humeral head and the coronoid process (FCP) are present simultaneously. Ununited anconeal process (UAP) usually occurs alone.
The simultaneous presence of all three pathological conditions is rare. [5]
Do Our Dogs Have Hip and Elbow X-Rays?
I dislike X-rays – let alone the idea of taking my dogs to the vet, where they’d likely need anesthesia just to get their elbows and hips scanned. And for what? To prove something to someone (a future owner) and label myself as a “responsible breeder”?
If you’ve read the article above, you already know these scans aren’t a guarantee – they only reduce the odds, slightly lowering the chance the disease might appear. And let’s not forget: genetics aren’t the only factor at play here.
Environmental influences matter just as much!
Who is a responsible breeder?
The responsible breeder is someone who dedicates attention to every puppy in the litter, makes selections – not every dog can be of supreme quality.
They prioritize proper nutrition, balanced exercise, working with their dogs (nearly) every day.
For such breeders, health certifications and show trophies aren’t the priority; what matters most is the dog’s fundamental character (especially crucial for sarplaninac dog breed).
The aim is to produce balanced dogs: neither aggressive nor timid.
When issues arise, they work closely with owners to provide solutions, offering advice born from extensive experience – knowledge that can’t be found in books or online articles.
They actively promote and preserve their breed’s integrity, both domestically and internationally, ensuring its qualities endure for generations to come.
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Conclusion
Do not rush to judge a breeder’s work or dismiss them as irresponsible simply because their dogs lack the specific certifications you may prioritize.
If your primary concerns when purchasing a puppy are hip/elbow x-rays of the parents, prestigious show titles, or extensive health testing, that is perfectly valid. But allow me to conclude with this …
I would far rather preserve a true Šarplaninac – one with unwavering character and stability, even if its joints and hips are imperfect, than own a dog crossed with other breeds (Shar-Caucasian, Shar- Bernhardiner, etc.) that somehow becomes the “gold standard” of quality simply because it has triumphed at major international dog shows and, most importantly, boasts flawless hip and elbow scores.
A dog’s worth is measured in more than ribbons and radiographs …
Sources:
The Relation between Canine Hip Dysplasia, Genetic Diversity and Inbreeding by Breed – more information
Citizen Scientists: Let’s do something about hip dysplasia! – more information
- Canine hip dysplasia: Pathogenesis, phenotypic scoring, and genetics (PDF) – more information
- What is Hip Dysplasia – more information
Displazija zgloba lakta (DZL) kod pasa – more information
