Here are some practical suggestions in order to prevent hip dysplasia:

• Have your dog radiographed before breeding to be sure the hips are normal. If they are not, this dog should not be bred.
• Consider a feeding program to slow growth. There is a growing body of evidence indicating that dogs who grow very rapidly are more likely to have hip dysplasia. Many authorities recommend feeding an adult-type food to puppies of high risk breeds so their growth is slower. They will still reach their full genetic body size, but just not as rapidly. Some dog food manufacturers are now making puppy foods for large breed dogs. This is essentially the same approach as feeding an adult food because these puppy foods are formulated for slower growth.
• Avoid excessive exercise in a growing puppy. Any abnormality in the structure of the hip joint is magnified if excessive running and jumping occur. It is not necessary to treat your puppy as if he is handicapped, but long sessions of running or chasing thrown objects can be detrimental to joints.

It is very important to keep this fact in mind: A dog can appear normal and yet have hip dysplasia. Just because a four-year-old dog isn't showing signs of trouble, that is not sufficient evidence to state that he couldn't possibly have hip dysplasia. Also, before buying a large-breed puppy, ask the breeders whether their dogs are certified "hip dysplasia free" by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals. This will not guarantee a puppy free of hip dysplasia, but it will reduce the likelihood. If you notice a problem in your growing pup or mature dog, have him checked right away by your local veterinarian.

Previous pages about hip dysplasia.