Hip Dysplasia

What is Hip Dysplasia?

Hip Dysplasia (HD) is one of the most common inherited orthopaedic conditions affecting dogs. It occurs when the hip joint does not develop correctly, causing the ball and socket to fit together poorly. Instead of moving smoothly, the joint becomes loose, leading to abnormal wear over time.

As the condition progresses, many dogs develop osteoarthritis (degenerative joint disease), which can cause pain, stiffness and reduced mobility.

While Hip Dysplasia has a strong genetic component, environmental factors also play an important role in how severely the condition develops.

What Causes Hip Dysplasia?

Hip Dysplasia is considered a multifactorial condition, meaning it is influenced by both genetics and environmental factors.

Genetics

A dog’s inherited genes influence how the hip joints develop. Breeding from dogs with good hip scores helps reduce the risk of producing puppies with Hip Dysplasia.

Environment

Several factors during a puppy’s growth may influence the development of the hips, including:

  • Rapid growth.

  • Excessive body weight.

  • Over-exercise during development.

  • Poor nutrition.

  • Injury.

Good management cannot completely prevent Hip Dysplasia in a genetically susceptible dog, but it can help reduce the severity of the condition.

Signs of Hip Dysplasia

Some dogs show signs from a young age, while others may not develop noticeable symptoms until adulthood. Australian Working Kelpies are often extremely stoic and may continue working despite significant changes within the hip joint.

Signs may include:

  • Lameness.

  • Stiffness after exercise or rest.

  • Difficulty rising.

  • Reluctance to jump or climb.

  • Reduced muscle mass over the hindquarters.

  • An abnormal gait.

  • Reduced performance while working.

The absence of symptoms does not guarantee healthy hips.

How is Hip Dysplasia Diagnosed?

The only reliable way to assess hip quality is by taking radiographs (X-rays), which are then scored under the British Veterinary Association (BVA) Hip Dysplasia Scheme.

Dogs must be at least 12 months of age before they can be officially scored.

Each hip is assessed separately, with lower scores indicating better hip conformation.

Any total score of 10 or less is considered excellent for a Kelpie, as it indicates near-perfect joint conformation.

(Comparison X-rays here – one showing healthy hips and one showing severe hip dysplasia.)

Understanding Hip Scores

The BVA assesses nine separate features of each hip joint.

Each hip receives a score between 0 and 53, giving a maximum combined score of 106.

Generally:

  • Lower scores indicate better hip quality.

  • Higher scores indicate increasing levels of change associated with Hip Dysplasia.

Hip scores should always be considered alongside pedigree information, health history, working ability and the wider family background.

BATWK encourages breeders to look at the whole picture when making breeding decisions, rather than focusing on a single number.

Choosing a Puppy

One of the most important questions to ask a breeder is whether both parents have been hip scored.

Responsible breeders should be happy to provide copies of their dogs’ official BVA Hip Score Certificates.

Health testing does not guarantee that every puppy will have perfect hips, but it significantly improves the information available to breeders when making mating decisions and helps reduce the overall risk within the breed.

BATWK Recommendations

BATWK encourages all breeding animals to be hip scored before breeding wherever practical.

Recording official hip scores alongside pedigree information allows breeders to make informed decisions and helps build valuable health data for future generations.

Our aim is to promote transparency, support responsible breeding, and preserve the health, soundness and longevity of the Australian Working Kelpie.

Recording Hip Scores

BATWK encourages members to record official hip scores within the BATWK registration database.

Breeder Members can upload official BVA Hip Score Certificates directly through their Member Dashboard, allowing health records to be reviewed and recorded alongside each dog’s pedigree.

Recording hip scores helps to:

  • Build a valuable breed health database.

  • Support responsible breeding decisions.

  • Increase transparency for puppy buyers.

  • Preserve important health information for future generations.

  • Protect the long-term health, soundness and longevity of the Australian Working Kelpie.

Looking After Your Puppy

Although genetics play a significant role, good management during growth is also important.

To support healthy joint development:

  • Feed a balanced diet suitable for growth.

  • Maintain a healthy body condition.

  • Avoid excessive high-impact exercise while growing.

  • Increase exercise gradually as your puppy matures.

  • Seek veterinary advice if you notice any signs of lameness or discomfort.

Responsible breeding and responsible puppy rearing work hand in hand to give every dog the best possible start in life.

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