Dog hip scores explained

Hip scoring is a vital health screening tool that helps dog owners and breeders understand the condition of their dog's hip joints. Run jointly by the British Veterinary Association and The Kennel Club, this scheme uses X-rays to assess dogs for hip dysplasia, a common inherited condition that affects joint development and can lead to stiffness and mobility issues over time.

Whether you're considering breeding your dog or simply want to understand their joint health better, hip scoring provides valuable insights that can guide long-term care decisions. The process involves taking specialised X-rays under anaesthesia, which are then evaluated by expert veterinary surgeons who assign numerical scores based on specific criteria.

Understanding these scores and what they mean for your dog's wellbeing can help you make informed decisions about exercise, weight management, and joint support throughout their life.

Joint support for dogs with hip score results

When your dog has received their hip score results, understanding how to support their joints becomes a key priority. We make MedPaw Hip & Joint Chews Max to complement veterinary care for dogs at any stage of hip health management.

The comparison below shows how different joint supplements stack up when it comes to key active ingredients that research suggests may help support hip joint comfort and mobility.

MedPaw stands out as the only supplement in this comparison containing all six key joint actives that veterinary nutritionists commonly recommend for hip support. For dogs with hip scores indicating dysplasia risk or existing changes, this comprehensive formula approach means you're providing the broadest spectrum of nutritional support.

Whether your dog's hip score suggests preventative care or ongoing joint management, the soft chew format makes daily supplementation straightforward, and our 60-day guarantee lets you assess how your dog responds to the complete formula.

Try MedPaw Hip & Joint Chews Max Comprehensive joint support designed to work alongside your vet's hip health recommendations.

What Hip Dysplasia Means for Dogs

Hip dysplasia occurs when the hip joints don't develop properly, creating an abnormal fit between the ball of the thigh bone and the socket in the pelvis. In healthy hips, these components work together smoothly as a perfect ball-and-socket joint. When dysplasia is present, the socket is often too shallow with sloping sides, causing the ball to move abnormally within the joint.

This condition is particularly complex because it's controlled by multiple genes and influenced by environmental factors such as diet, exercise levels, and even conditions experienced in the womb. Each dog inherits a combination of genetic variants that either increase or decrease their risk. This makes it impossible to predict outcomes based on genetics alone.

The multifactorial nature of hip dysplasia means that even dogs from health-tested parents can occasionally develop the condition, though the risk is significantly reduced when breeding from dogs with good hip scores.

Breeds Most at Risk

While hip dysplasia can affect any dog regardless of size or breeding background, certain breeds show higher rates of the condition. Larger breeds are generally more susceptible, though the condition also occurs in crossbreeds and mixed breeds.

Other commonly affected breeds include German Shorthaired Pointers and Bernese Mountain Dogs. However, it's important to remember that individual dogs within any breed can have excellent hip health, particularly when bred from health-tested parents with good scores.

The Hip Scoring Process Explained

Hip scoring requires careful preparation and specific procedures to ensure accurate results. Your dog must be at least 12 months old before testing, as the hip joints need to be fully developed. They must also be permanently identified with a microchip, and you'll need their Kennel Club registration certificate if applicable.

The X-ray procedure itself requires your dog to be under general anaesthesia or heavy sedation to prevent any movement that could affect the image quality. Your vet will position your dog carefully to capture specific views of both hip joints. The procedure is generally very safe in healthy dogs and can be combined with elbow dysplasia screening if needed.

Once the X-rays are taken, they're submitted to a panel of expert veterinary surgeons called scrutineers who evaluate each hip using nine specific parameters. These assessments look at the basic joint structure and any arthritic developments that may have occurred as a result of the dysplasia.

Understanding Your Dog's Hip Score

Each parameter in the hip scoring system is graded from 0 to 6, where 0 represents perfect joint health and 6 indicates severe abnormalities. Since each hip is scored separately with nine parameters each, individual hip scores can range from 0 to 53. The total hip score combines both hips, creating a possible range of 0 to 106.

The fundamental principle is straightforward: lower scores indicate better hip health. A total score of 0 represents perfect hips with no evidence of dysplasia, whilst higher scores indicate increasing severity of joint problems.

Breed Median Scores

Rather than comparing all dogs to the same standard, hip scores should be evaluated against breed-specific median scores. Each breed has a calculated median representing the average score for that breed, with equal numbers of dogs scoring higher and lower than this figure.

This breed-specific approach is crucial because different breeds have different baseline levels of hip dysplasia. A score that might be concerning in one breed could be perfectly acceptable in another. Always discuss your dog's results with your vet in the context of their breed's median score.

Estimated Breeding Values

For frequently tested breeds, the scheme provides Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs), which offer a more sophisticated assessment than hip scores alone. These values incorporate family history and pedigree information to predict what genes a dog might pass to their offspring. This makes them particularly valuable for breeding decisions.

Practical Considerations for Dog Owners

Hip scoring is primarily relevant if you're planning to breed your dog, but it can also provide valuable information for long-term care planning, especially in breeds known to be at higher risk. The process costs from £82.50 plus your vet's fees for the X-ray and anaesthesia, with results typically available within one week of online submission.

To arrange hip scoring, contact your local veterinary practice to enquire about the service. Your vet must be registered with the BVA's online portal to submit X-rays, though they can easily sign up if they're not currently registered. Discuss the anaesthesia requirements with your vet, particularly if your dog has any existing health conditions.

Results are uploaded to your vet's portal and shared with you directly. If your dog is Kennel Club registered, the results will also be published on their website. Always discuss the results with your vet to understand what they mean for your individual dog's health and care needs.

Supporting Your Dog's Joint Health

Regardless of your dog's hip score, there are several ways to support their joint health throughout life. Maintaining an appropriate body weight is crucial, as excess weight places additional stress on joints and can accelerate the progression of arthritis in dogs with hip dysplasia.

Regular, controlled exercise helps maintain muscle strength and joint mobility. Swimming is particularly beneficial as it provides excellent exercise without the impact stress of running or jumping. Avoid excessive high-impact activities, especially in young dogs whose joints are still developing.

Joint Support Options

Many dog owners choose to provide joint supplements as complementary feeds alongside veterinary care. These products typically contain ingredients designed to support joint health and comfort. For example, MedPaw's hip and joint supplement contains glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM, green-lipped mussel, hyaluronic acid and Boswellia serrata, along with omega-3 from green-lipped mussel and flax seed, vitamins C and E, and zinc.

Environmental modifications can also help dogs with joint concerns move around their daily activities more comfortably. Providing soft, supportive bedding, non-slip surfaces, and ramps instead of stairs can reduce joint stress and improve quality of life.

When to Seek Veterinary Attention

Certain signs warrant prompt veterinary attention, regardless of your dog's hip score. Watch for limping or lameness, particularly after exercise, difficulty getting up from lying down, or reluctance to climb stairs or jump. Stiffness after rest periods, changes in gait, or reduced activity levels can also indicate joint discomfort.

If you notice any of these signs, speak to your vet promptly. Early veterinary assessment allows for proactive management strategies that can significantly improve quality of life. While hip dysplasia cannot be cured, various approaches can help support comfort and slow progression, including weight management programmes, controlled exercise plans, physiotherapy, and in severe cases, surgical options such as hip replacement.

The Broader Impact of Hip Scoring

The BVA/KC Hip Dysplasia Scheme has demonstrated real success in improving breed health over time. Hip scores in many breeds have improved significantly since the scheme began, showing how systematic screening can reduce disease prevalence across breeds when breeders make informed decisions based on health test results.

Reputable breeders should always health test their breeding dogs and be able to show you the hip scores of both parents when you're considering a puppy. This transparency allows you to make informed decisions and supports the ongoing effort to improve canine health through responsible breeding practices.

However, it's important to understand the limitations of the scheme. Even dogs with excellent hip scores can occasionally produce offspring with higher scores, reflecting the complex genetic nature of the condition. The scheme significantly reduces risk but cannot eliminate it completely, which is why ongoing health monitoring throughout your dog's life remains important regardless of their breeding background.