Welcome to my k9 Educational Blog
Since the 1970s, I’ve been deeply involved in the world of German Shepherds, starting out as a young kennel helper at the renowned Schlosserhauss Kennels, owned by Joseph Palacio and Luis Maldonado. These two incredible breeders were my mentors, and I owe much of my foundational knowledge to them. They welcomed me into this magical world, and after their passing, I’ve carried the valuable lessons they taught me throughout my career. Over time, I started my own breeding program, and after many ups and downs, Southernwind Kennels was born.
These days, navigating the world of social media has been a whole new challenge—what I jokingly call dealing with the “behind-the-computer experts.” It’s a new kind of experience I’ve had to adapt to, and let me tell you, it hasn’t been easy! Sometimes I feel like I should tie my hands and not engage, but then I ask myself, "Should I share my opinion based on 40+ years of experience, or stay out of the heated debates?"
Hip Dysplasia in German Shepherds: Debunking the Sloped Back Myth'
One of the biggest misconceptions I keep coming across is the idea that sloped backs in German Shepherds are the main cause of hip dysplasia. This couldn’t be further from the truth, and honestly, it’s hard for me not to jump into the conversation when I see such misinformation spreading—especially from people who may never have bred a litter or participated in dog trials. They’re often repeating information from so-called "experts" who mislead others with incorrect claims. So, here I go again, diving in to set the record straight!
In order to begin this presentation, we must first address the issue of the insufficient information and data regarding hip dysplasia prior to the 1970s.
1. Researching the Use of X-Rays in Diagnosing Hip Dysplasia
Before the 1960s and 1970s, x-rays were not commonly used for diagnosing hip dysplasia in dogs. The establishment of organizations like the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) in 1966 played a key role in popularizing this diagnostic method. Prior to this development, breeders relied on observation of mobility and working ability to assess breeding suitability. The widespread adoption of x-rays revealed that hip dysplasia was a prevalent issue in various breeds, such as the German Shepherd.
The existence of hip dysplasia predates the 1970s, but its documentation and ability to systematically address it only began with the availability of better diagnostic tools like x-rays. This is why the severity of hip dysplasia might have seemed more pronounced or better understood after these technologies became widespread.
2. The Role of the Sloped Back in Hip Dysplasia
While the sloped back of German Shepherds has been a controversial feature, it is not directly responsible for hip dysplasia. Here's a detailed explanation:
a. The Myth of the Sloped Back and Hip Dysplasia
The sloped back, which refers to the angulation of the hindquarters and the downward slope from the shoulders to the hips seen in many West German Show Line dogs, is not the cause of hip dysplasia.
Hip dysplasia is a genetic condition involving the malformation or improper fit of the hip joint, where the ball of the femur doesn't fit snugly into the hip socket. This genetic predisposition can be present in any dog, regardless of the angulation of its back.
The misconception that the slope itself causes hip dysplasia likely arises because show breeders who focused on the extreme angulation often did not prioritize rigorous health testing, including for joint health. This led to the appearance that the more sloped dogs had higher rates of dysplasia, but it's more likely that breeding practices—not the slope—were responsible. Hip Dysplacia in German Shepherds: Debunking the Sloped Back Myth'
Images of Hip Dysplacia
b. The Actual Impact of Conformation on Joint Stress
While the slope doesn’t cause dysplasia, extreme angulation in the hindquarters can affect the way dogs move and may place extra stress on the rear joints, exacerbating pre-existing conditions like hip dysplasia or arthritis. A German Shepherd with extreme angulation and poor hip conformation might show mobility issues more prominently than one with a straighter back, but this doesn’t mean the angulation causes the dysplasia.
The study mentioned earlier by Dr. Wayne Riser from the 1970s in The Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association (JAVMA) pointed out the link between conformation and joint health, but it was more about the selection pressures in show breeding than the sloped back specifically. Riser noted that the exaggerated hindquarters of some conformation dogs led to increased stress on the joints, potentially exacerbating already-present conditions like dysplasia, but it didn’t suggest that the angulation caused dysplasia outright.
3. Why Other Breeds Without a Slope Have High Rates of Hip Dysplasia
It is absolutely correct that many other breeds with no sloped back—such as Rottweilers, Great Danes, Mastiffs, and Bulldogs—also suffer from high rates of hip dysplasia. This provides a clear indication that the condition is not caused by the back's shape but by other factors.
a. Genetics: The Main Cause of Hip Dysplasia
Hip dysplasia is primarily a genetic disorder, and certain breeds are more predisposed to it because of their genetic pool. Large breeds, in particular, tend to have a higher incidence of hip dysplasia because their size places more stress on their joints, and historically, many of these breeds were not subjected to rigorous screening for joint health.
In the case of Rottweilers and Great Danes, their susceptibility to hip dysplasia is due to genetic inheritance and the rapid growth rates seen in these large breeds. Similarly, Bulldogs have unique structural issues due to their compact, muscular bodies, but it's not related to the shape of their back.
b. Other Contributing Factors:
Size and Weight: Larger breeds naturally place more stress on their joints, which increases the likelihood of hip dysplasia. German Shepherds, Rottweilers, Great Danes, and Mastiffs all fall into this category of large dogs with heavy frames.
Growth Rates: Rapid growth during puppyhood, especially when coupled with poor nutrition or overfeeding, can exacerbate the development of hip dysplasia. This is true across all large breeds.
Breeding Practices: Just as in German Shepherds, breeding practices play a significant role in the prevalence of hip dysplasia in other breeds. Breeders who do not prioritize health testing and genetic screening for hip issues are more likely to pass on the trait to future generations.
4. Scientific Studies on Hip Dysplasia
A number of studies have confirmed that hip dysplasia is genetic and not caused by the shape of the back or angulation alone. Some relevant studies include:
A 1995 study published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association indicated that hip dysplasia was polygenic (involving multiple genes) and environmentally influenced (diet and exercise play roles), but it was not linked to the back structure directly.
A 2008 study on the inheritance of hip dysplasia in Norwegian dogs (including German Shepherds) concluded that selective breeding was critical in reducing the prevalence of the disease. This study emphasized that hip dysplasia was tied to heritable joint conformation, not the dog’s overall body shape.
Conclusion
To summarize:
Hip dysplasia is genetic in origin and can be influenced by environmental factors like rapid growth, diet, and exercise.
The sloped back of the West German Show Line German Shepherds does not cause hip dysplasia. Instead, the rise of the condition in some show lines is due to breeding practices that prioritized appearance over health, leading to a higher incidence of genetic disorders.
Other breeds, like Rottweilers, Great Danes, and Mastiffs, have high rates of hip dysplasia not because of back structure but because of genetics, size, and breeding practices.
For German Shepherds specifically, improving the breed's health requires rigorous health testing (including hip x-rays) and responsible breeding practices that prioritize both functional soundness and genetic diversity.
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