In a seminal study involving over 69,000 dogs, researchers examined breed, size, and sex-related risks for canine hip dysplasia—shedding light on a complex, inherited orthopedic disorder that continues to affect dogs and draw parallels with human hip disease.
Canine hip dysplasia (CHD) is one of the most common inherited orthopedic disorders in dogs, particularly in larger breeds. In a groundbreaking 1972 study published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, William A. Priester and John J. Mulvihill analyzed data from 69,245 dogs seen at 10 veterinary schools across the U.S. and Canada. Of those, 1,193 were diagnosed with hip dysplasia.
The researchers found that both male and female dogs were equally affected. However, breed and body size played a significant role: dogs from giant breeds had a 50-fold greater risk, and those from large breeds had a 20-fold greater risk compared to smaller breeds. Among large breeds, Golden Retrievers showed an especially high predisposition—50 times greater than that of Collies, for instance.
Interestingly, the study drew comparisons between canine hip dysplasia and human congenital hip disease, specifically a type involving acetabular (osseous) dysplasia that is likely inherited in a polygenic fashion. This similarity suggests a potential shared pathophysiology between dogs and humans, offering a useful comparative model for further research.
This study laid the groundwork for genetic investigations and breeding reforms in affected dog populations and continues to be cited in both veterinary and medical orthopedic literature.
