Hind quarter angulation & Hip Dysplasia

Nelly · 07-05-2010, 10:42 AM

I was reading the angulation thread where it was mentioned by some that HD and hind quarter angulation are separate and unrelated to each other. Now I may be completely wrong as I am no orthopeadic expert but I was wondering if a dog has inherited the genes for poor hip conformation, could having a more angulated rear possibly have something to do with increasing the severity of the condition ? by providing less support perhaps ? similiar in the way being overweight can increase the severity of the disease but being overweight by itself does not cause HD, they have to have the genetic predisposition in the first place. This could easily be off the mark but I was just thinking

Any other theories ? comments ? please go ahead.

**Samba** · 07-05-2010, 09:14 PM

I know a kennel of pretty angulated show dogs with an enviably high rate of OFA excellent dogs. Excellent hips not so common in the GSD breed and the angulation is not stopping these dogs from achieving nice hip formation.

I owned a very very angulated dog once. He was was OFA good and had no hip problems with arthritis into his late age. I haven't seen a connection between the two.

Nelly · 07-08-2010, 11:03 AM

Hi Samba,

I hear what you are saying, but I am not refering so much to dogs that are over angulated and insinuating that the angulation causes HD, rather that if they already have inherited the genes for HD, could increased angulation possibly make it worse ?

For example scenario, the kennel you mentioned which has produced some angulated show dogs produces a dog with HD- because of the increased hind quarter angulation would that possibly make a difference between the dog developing moderate HD or severe HD ? Many breeds with little angulation get HD but I was just wondering if the reduced support due to hind quarter angulation could make it worse in gsds with this condition. Just a thought, perhaps not.

**Samba** · 07-08-2010, 11:13 AM

I don't know.

Liesje · 07-08-2010, 12:46 PM

I think if it makes it worse, it would be because there might me loose ligaments and less muscle mass if the dog is not physically capable of doing the same amount of work and exercise as a dog with correct working conformation. My understanding is that good exercise and building muscle mass help hold the joints in place better?

**Samba** · 07-08-2010, 04:55 PM

As far as exercise, they can trot and swim for miles and build lots of muscle. Loose ligamentation would not be good for joint stability though.

07-05-2010, 10:42 AM	#1 (permalink)
Nelly Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 91	Hind quarter angulation & Hip Dysplasia I was reading the angulation thread where it was mentioned by some that HD and hind quarter angulation are separate and unrelated to each other. Now I may be completely wrong as I am no orthopeadic expert but I was wondering if a dog has inherited the genes for poor hip conformation, could having a more angulated rear possibly have something to do with increasing the severity of the condition ? by providing less support perhaps ? similiar in the way being overweight can increase the severity of the disease but being overweight by itself does not cause HD, they have to have the genetic predisposition in the first place. This could easily be off the mark but I was just thinking Any other theories ? comments ? please go ahead. __________________ Katie & Chantisuhi Abby Australia

07-08-2010, 11:03 AM	#3 (permalink)
Nelly Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 91	Hi Samba, I hear what you are saying, but I am not refering so much to dogs that are over angulated and insinuating that the angulation causes HD, rather that if they already have inherited the genes for HD, could increased angulation possibly make it worse ? For example scenario, the kennel you mentioned which has produced some angulated show dogs produces a dog with HD- because of the increased hind quarter angulation would that possibly make a difference between the dog developing moderate HD or severe HD ? Many breeds with little angulation get HD but I was just wondering if the reduced support due to hind quarter angulation could make it worse in gsds with this condition. Just a thought, perhaps not. __________________ Katie & Chantisuhi Abby Australia

07-08-2010, 12:46 PM	#5 (permalink)
Liesje Crowned Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Grand Rapids, MI Posts: 12,962	I think if it makes it worse, it would be because there might me loose ligaments and less muscle mass if the dog is not physically capable of doing the same amount of work and exercise as a dog with correct working conformation. My understanding is that good exercise and building muscle mass help hold the joints in place better? __________________ UCH Alta-Tollhaus-Krieger Lamb Chop FO OB1 CL1R CL1F RA TT HIT TDI CGC VPC's Coca-Cola HIT CGC SG UCH Alta-Tollhaus Bono SchH1 AD T1 FO PA CL1R UNJ UCA HIT TT CGC OFA SG Pantalaimon vom Geistwasser BH AD HIT CGC

07-05-2010, 09:14 PM	#2 (permalink)
Samba Administrator Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: USA Posts: 6,447	I know a kennel of pretty angulated show dogs with an enviably high rate of OFA excellent dogs. Excellent hips not so common in the GSD breed and the angulation is not stopping these dogs from achieving nice hip formation. I owned a very very angulated dog once. He was was OFA good and had no hip problems with arthritis into his late age. I haven't seen a connection between the two.

07-08-2010, 11:13 AM	#4 (permalink)
Samba Administrator Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: USA Posts: 6,447	I don't know.

07-08-2010, 04:55 PM	#6 (permalink)
Samba Administrator Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: USA Posts: 6,447	As far as exercise, they can trot and swim for miles and build lots of muscle. Loose ligamentation would not be good for joint stability though.

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