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hip dysplasia
Hip dysplasia
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In many countries, joint examination is not mandatory when breeding Staffordshire bull terriers, however, according to the present statistics it's pretty much necessary. Joint problems can be called common in SBT, and most often these are the knees and the hip joint. Dysplasia rarely bothers young dogs and, especially, puppies, unless we are talking about a critical displacement, which will be quickly noticeable by lameness. First symptoms sometimes are seen as late as in adult and senior years, and that's when they can significantly affect the dog's quality (and ability) of life.
Displaced joints are more susceptible to injury, and due to deformed biomechanics throughout the dog's life will affect the loads on its muscles, including deep ones, and over time will lead to early compensatory changes. Degenerative changes (arthritis, arthrosis) in a displaced joint will also start quite early, and those already lead to inflammatory processes and pain. It's a large chain of events in the body that will eventually affect the motor capacities of the dog. Dogs diagnosed with dysplasia can live a functional life, but it is highly important to pay special attention to the health and balance of their musculoskeletal system, exercise routine, nutrition, and weight. The better the care the dog receives, the higher the probability of delaying degenerative changes. These degenerative changes are not completely avoidable: all of us and all our dogs with or without dysplasia will eventually develop arthritis, it's usually the question of life prolongation and how will they affect the quality of life, which is the most important for a senior dog.
Hip dysplasia (HD) examination is complicated by two important factors, based on which breeders sometimes choose not to screen hop joints, however, proper screening still helps to reduce potential risks along with proper care and exercise routine of puppies starting from the very early age. The exact cause of HD development in one particular dog technically can never be determined for sure. There is no single gene that stands for its formation, but instead a whole complex of genetic factors, all of which are not yet known to science. It yet appears not possible to isolate this complex in breeding and exclude from breeding programs dogs that could carry it fully or partly. But that's not even all of it: the formation of HD is also influenced by environmental factors such as exercise routine and history of injuries, nutrition, early castration, and other factors starting from the first weeks of a puppy's life. If we get a dog with a diagnosed hip dysplasia and decide to determine why this dysplasia formed, it's gonna be very tricky.
To minimize the risks of developing HD in dogs, it is necessary not only to remove those with significant dysplasia from breeding but also to take a complete approach to the issue of raising puppies starting from the first weeks of life. If only the removal of dogs with diagnosed dysplasia from C and higher from the breeding could be enough, we would already see better results in the breeds where HD testing is mandatory. Of course, there are fewer dogs with HD since the tests became mandatory for them, but there are still quite plenty out there.
The next difficulty is the HD examination itself. An X-ray is used to determine the degree of dysplasia but to obtain an objective result, the image must be done correctly: the dog must be positioned straight on the X-ray table, and, as a rule, sedated so that this is possible. Unfortunately, the dog's breeder rarely sees the image itself and doesn't know how was the dog placed on the table. More often they will only receive a report with results and a bill. However, based on those images that do get into hands and are publicly available online, it can be concluded that the positioning on them is not always correct, and therefore the results are questionable too. For an objective screening. it must be performed by an experienced and trusted orthopedist. For your own confidence, it is always better to have the X-rays themselves on hand, so as not to doubt the objectivity of results.
Displaced joints are more susceptible to injury, and due to deformed biomechanics throughout the dog's life will affect the loads on its muscles, including deep ones, and over time will lead to early compensatory changes. Degenerative changes (arthritis, arthrosis) in a displaced joint will also start quite early, and those already lead to inflammatory processes and pain. It's a large chain of events in the body that will eventually affect the motor capacities of the dog. Dogs diagnosed with dysplasia can live a functional life, but it is highly important to pay special attention to the health and balance of their musculoskeletal system, exercise routine, nutrition, and weight. The better the care the dog receives, the higher the probability of delaying degenerative changes. These degenerative changes are not completely avoidable: all of us and all our dogs with or without dysplasia will eventually develop arthritis, it's usually the question of life prolongation and how will they affect the quality of life, which is the most important for a senior dog.
Hip dysplasia (HD) examination is complicated by two important factors, based on which breeders sometimes choose not to screen hop joints, however, proper screening still helps to reduce potential risks along with proper care and exercise routine of puppies starting from the very early age. The exact cause of HD development in one particular dog technically can never be determined for sure. There is no single gene that stands for its formation, but instead a whole complex of genetic factors, all of which are not yet known to science. It yet appears not possible to isolate this complex in breeding and exclude from breeding programs dogs that could carry it fully or partly. But that's not even all of it: the formation of HD is also influenced by environmental factors such as exercise routine and history of injuries, nutrition, early castration, and other factors starting from the first weeks of a puppy's life. If we get a dog with a diagnosed hip dysplasia and decide to determine why this dysplasia formed, it's gonna be very tricky.
To minimize the risks of developing HD in dogs, it is necessary not only to remove those with significant dysplasia from breeding but also to take a complete approach to the issue of raising puppies starting from the first weeks of life. If only the removal of dogs with diagnosed dysplasia from C and higher from the breeding could be enough, we would already see better results in the breeds where HD testing is mandatory. Of course, there are fewer dogs with HD since the tests became mandatory for them, but there are still quite plenty out there.
The next difficulty is the HD examination itself. An X-ray is used to determine the degree of dysplasia but to obtain an objective result, the image must be done correctly: the dog must be positioned straight on the X-ray table, and, as a rule, sedated so that this is possible. Unfortunately, the dog's breeder rarely sees the image itself and doesn't know how was the dog placed on the table. More often they will only receive a report with results and a bill. However, based on those images that do get into hands and are publicly available online, it can be concluded that the positioning on them is not always correct, and therefore the results are questionable too. For an objective screening. it must be performed by an experienced and trusted orthopedist. For your own confidence, it is always better to have the X-rays themselves on hand, so as not to doubt the objectivity of results.
Please note that HD examination is often not mandatory in Staffordshire bull terrier breeding, and many dogs do not have their joints screened. However, the available results often detect both C's and D's and even E's, which makes one wonder whether it is more necessary than we used to think.
Removing all dogs with any HD result other than A/A from the breeding would also be controversial: it would significantly reduce the genetic pool and in the long term could lead to other consequences. However, it’s still needed to pay attention to the dynamics in certain lines and work towards better results.
Removing all dogs with any HD result other than A/A from the breeding would also be controversial: it would significantly reduce the genetic pool and in the long term could lead to other consequences. However, it’s still needed to pay attention to the dynamics in certain lines and work towards better results.
Resource: X-ray Positioning in OFA Hip Dysplasia Grading: The Devil is in the Details. By Lonnie L. Davis, DVM, DABVP (Canine/Feline) With Nancy P. Melone, Ph.D.
More about positioning: https://youtu.be/ad2BwvBH0Jo?si=HYJAcZCgIPOTpr8T
More about positioning: https://youtu.be/ad2BwvBH0Jo?si=HYJAcZCgIPOTpr8T
Finnish Kennel Club statistics on hip dysplasia testing results of dogs born 2014-2024. Source: Finnish Kennel Club
- BSAVA Manual of Canine and Feline Musculoskeletal Disorders 2018
- Diagnosis, prevention, and management of canine hip dysplasia. doi: 10.2147/VMRR.S53266
- Genetic dissection of canine hip dysplasia phenotypes and osteoarthritis reveals three novel loci. BMC Genomics volume 20, Article number: 1027 (2019)
- Emerging insights into the genetic basis of canine hip dysplasia. doi: 10.2147/VMRR.S63536
- Quantifying the Stress in Stress Radiographs to Determine Sufficient Laxity of the Coxofemoral Joint: A Canine Hip Dysplasia Cadaveric Study. DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-1771507
- Staffordshire Bull Terriers in the UK: their disorder predispositions and protections. DOI:10.1186/s40575-020-00092-w
- Finnish Kennel Club https://jalostus.kennelliitto.fi/frmEtusivu.aspx
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Is SBT the right match for you?
Despite all our love for SBT, we have to admit all breeds have their cons - it’s not avoidable. It remains to make sure that none of these cons are a red flag for your family and that you and your dog will become the right match.
Character of SBT
Each dog is an individual with its character and features, but breed representatives share many traits in common.
Showing and breeding dogs was never a main goal for me. I started in the dog world from behavioral modification and training, gained a degree in rehab and myotherapy, studied nutrition (raw/dry), trained nosework disciplines and already for several years owned an educational dog-blog and taught lectures for dog owners and professionals. Throughout all these fields I strongly promote complete/holistic approach and advocate for dog’s physical and mental wellbeing.
Showing and breeding dogs was never a main goal for me. I started in the dog world from behavioral modification and training, gained a degree in rehab and myotherapy, studied nutrition (raw/dry), trained nosework disciplines and already for several years owned an educational dog-blog and taught lectures for dog owners and professionals. Throughout all these fields I strongly promote complete/holistic approach and advocate for dog’s physical and mental wellbeing.
Showing and breeding dogs was never a main goal for me. I started in the dog world from behavioral modification and training, gained a degree in rehab and myotherapy, studied nutrition (raw/dry), trained nosework disciplines and already for several years owned an educational dog-blog and taught lectures for dog owners and professionals. Throughout all these fields I strongly promote complete/holistic approach and advocate for dog’s physical and mental wellbeing.
