Passive hip laxity assessed by distraction radiography has been shown to be the primary risk factor for developing degenerative joint disease (DJD). The relationship of hip laxity to DJD is breed dependent. Breed-specific guidelines can be formulated to ensure optimal selection of breeding animals.

In a study of 15,743 dogs, disease susceptibility based on DI was shown to be breed-specific. German Shepherd dogs were at significantly higher risk than other breeds having similar joint laxity. Rottweilers, Labrador and Golden retrievers appeared to be more “laxity resistant” relative to German Shepherd dogs. It was hypothesized that this may be due to the conformational differences between these breeds. The “folded up” stance of the GSD may act to increase joint forces acting on the hip. Also the smaller muscle mass in the GSD may enable conversion of passive to functional laxity (during weight bearing), in turn increasing stresses on joint cartilage and subsequent degenerative change.

This data from a large population of purebred dogs confirms the previously published relationship of DI to DJD in smaller samples of dogs. There should be little doubt that the association is real.