Abstract:
Canine hip and elbow dysplasia are major orthopaedic problems prevalent the world over,
and South Africa is no exception. Hip and elbow dysplasia phenotypic status is certified by a
number of different radiographic schemes in the world. South Africa uses the Fédération
Cynologique Internationale system to certify hips, and the International Elbow Working
Group scheme to certify elbows. One way of reducing these often crippling conditions is by
selective breeding using only dogs with no or marginal dysplastic joints. In South Africa, only
seven breeds, including the Rottweiler, have breeding restrictions for hip dysplasia. There are
no such restrictions for elbow dysplasia. This study assessed the prevalence of hip and elbow
dysplasia over a 9-year-period in the Rottweiler and the Labrador retriever in South Africa as
evaluated by official national scrutineers. Records from 1148 Rottweilers and 909 Labrador
retrievers were obtained and were graded as normal or dysplastic, and numerical values were
also evaluated. Data were compared between the two breeds, males and females as well as
over time and were compared with similar data of the Orthopaedic Foundation for Animals in
the United States. The prevalence values for hip dysplasia in Rottweilers and Labrador
retrievers were 22% and 31%, respectively, whereas for elbow dysplasia the values were 39%
and 19%, respectively. In Labrador retrievers, this incidence was much higher than in the
American population. Rottweiler hip and elbow dysplasia numerical scores significantly
improved over time, whereas in Labrador retrievers, only hip dysplasia showed a minor but
significant improvement. This study proved that prescribing minimum breeding requirements,
as in the Rottweiler in this study, significantly improved the breeding stock, suggesting that
minimum hip and elbow breeding requirements should be initiated for all breeds at risk of
these often crippling conditions.
