We require hip X-rays on your Sunnyfold Farm Portuguese Water Dog when it reaches age two. Why? Well, although our breeding dogs typically have Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) good or excellent hips, there is still a single-digit percentage chance your puppy will develop hip dysplasia.
Initially, PWDs had about a 30 percent hip dysplasia rate—like German Shepherds still have. But through careful selective breeding and full testing by PWD breeders, the incidence of hip dysplasia in Porties now averages 9.5 percent.
With ten puppies in a litter, statistically one is likely to have hip dysplasia.
Wouldn’t you know if your dog has bad hips?
Most owners have difficulty assessing that their dog is in pain because dogs are incredibly stoic. All breeding dogs are tested but pets should be screened too.
X-ray guidelines
X-Rays cost about $180 when done without anesthesia.
Your vet may do hip films. But if the dog is not correctly positioned, the X-rays will be worthless. It requires one film with the dog lying on its back with legs parallel. See the illustration and please read the X-ray guidelines on the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals website.
If your dog has X-ray signs of hip arthritis at age two
Follow these recommendations:
- Keep your dog thin.
- Don’t do exercises that involve pounding like running on pavement and stairs.
- Swimming and free play are good—no jumping for a frisbee though.
- Start your dog on a hip health treatment like Cosequin.
- Your dog would be ineligible for breeding.
I remind owners with their dog’s 2-year-old birthday greeting and review this information at that time.