Phenotypic hip and elbow dysplasia trends in Rottweilers and Labrador retrievers in South Africa (2007-2015): Are we making progress?

Robert M Kirberger

doi:10.4102/jsava.v88i0.1534

Abstract

Canine hip and elbow dysplasia are major orthopaedic problems prevalent the world over, and South Africa is no exception. Hip and elbow dysplasia phenotypic status is certified by a number of different radiographic schemes in the world. South Africa uses the Fédération Cynologique Internationale system to certify hips, and the International Elbow Working Group scheme to certify elbows. One way of reducing these often crippling conditions is by selective breeding using only dogs with no or marginal dysplastic joints. In South Africa, only seven breeds, including the Rottweiler, have breeding restrictions for hip dysplasia. There are no such restrictions for elbow dysplasia. This study assessed the prevalence of hip and elbow dysplasia over a 9-year-period in the Rottweiler and the Labrador retriever in South Africa as evaluated by official national scrutineers. Records from 1148 Rottweilers and 909 Labrador retrievers were obtained and were graded as normal or dysplastic, and numerical values were also evaluated. Data were compared between the two breeds, males and females as well as over time and were compared with similar data of the Orthopaedic Foundation for Animals in the United States. The prevalence values for hip dysplasia in Rottweilers and Labrador retrievers were 22% and 31%, respectively, whereas for elbow dysplasia the values were 39% and 19%, respectively. In Labrador retrievers, this incidence was much higher than in the American population. Rottweiler hip and elbow dysplasia numerical scores significantly improved over time, whereas in Labrador retrievers, only hip dysplasia showed a minor but significant improvement. This study proved that prescribing minimum breeding requirements, as in the Rottweiler in this study, significantly improved the breeding stock, suggesting that minimum hip and elbow breeding requirements should be initiated for all breeds at risk of these often crippling conditions.

Highlights

Canine hip dysplasia (HD) and elbow dysplasia (ED), the abnormal development of the hip and elbow joints followed by irreversible progressive arthrosis, are two of the most prevalent developmental orthopaedic conditions affecting dogs worldwide
This study has shown that in Rottweilers, as an example of a breed applying selective breeding based on HD results, progress can be made in reducing the incidence of HD and ED
On the opposite side of the spectrum, in Labrador retrievers as an example of not having any breeding restrictions, only minimal HD progress was made in alleviating the incidence of these two often crippling orthopaedic conditions

Summary

Introduction

Canine hip dysplasia (HD) and elbow dysplasia (ED), the abnormal development of the hip and elbow joints followed by irreversible progressive arthrosis, are two of the most prevalent developmental orthopaedic conditions affecting dogs worldwide. According to data of the Orthopaedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) in the United States, 20.2% of Rottweilers and 11.5% of Labrador retrievers had HD from 1974 to 2015. The only way to markedly improve the welfare of HD and ED susceptible breeds is through phenotypic selection (Lewis, Blott & Woolliams 2013). The prevalence of HD may be up to 70% in some breeds It mainly affects larger breed dogs and is of particular concern in working dogs (Orthopaedic Foundation for Animals 2016)

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