Genetics of canine hip dysplasia
Leighton, E.A.
Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 210(10): 1474-1479
1997
ISSN/ISBN: 0003-1488 PMID: 9154200 Document Number: 482558
The Seeing Eye Inc breeds and trains working dogs as guides for blind people. To halt the loss of otherwise good dogs because of poor hip quality, a comprehensive breeding program was begun in the late 1970s. Under 3 broad genetic objectives, it set out to reduce the incidence of canine hip dysplasia, to improve the overall ability of dogs to be trained as guides, and to improve the overall health of dogs available for training. This report documents the success of the breeding program in improving hip quality. In only 5 generations of selection, the percentage of German Shephered Dogs with canine hip dysplasia at 12 to 16 months of age decreased from 55 to 24%; among Labrador Retrievers, the percentage decreased from 30 to 10%. This report should give hope to practitioners and dog breeders who have a similar desire to genetically improve hip quality.