ELBOW DYSPLASIA

Like hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia is a hereditary disease. It is a malformation of the elbow joint. As with hip dysplasia, your breeder should be able to show you reports from the OFA defining the conformaion of both parent's elbows.
(This is for USA, Canada and some Scand. countries, not overall Europe, done and an obligation).

Ellbogen-Dysplasie ist - wie die Hüftdysplasie - eine auch genetisch bedingte Krankheit. Es handelt sich um eine Mißbildung des Ellenbogengelenks. Wie bei der HD sind Umwelteinflüsse (Ernährung, Bewegung etc.) als mitverursachend und/oder krankheitsfördernd nicht auszuschließen.
In den USA, Kanada und skand. Ländern haben sich die Züchter zur röntgenolog. Auswertung und Zucht nur mit freien bzw. geringgradig belasteten Tieren verpflichtet.

HIP DYSPLASIA

HD is a developmental disease inw hich there is a malformation of the hip joint(s). It is a genetic disease which may also be influenced by environmental factors. It is a common problem in most large breeds, and depending on severity, can cause serious pain and/or debilitation. HD is almost never detectable in animals younger than six months, and then in only the most severe cases. Two years is generally considered the minimum age for accurate diagnosis.

So-called pre-X-ray (at the age of 12 mths. or later) is said to be quite reliable and serious HD will surely be discovered at this age. Therefore this might be good to do for those who think of sporting and/or later breeding. The final degree may vary from the pre-x-ray but surely not more than one degree (e.g. excellent / good or good / fair).

Even not all dogs with severe HD need a treatment but HD will surely lead to arthrosis at higher age. For severe cases several operations (replacment of artifical joint and others as well as medical treatment is known). Some individuals of larger breeds, suffering from severe HD, are known that they became 8, 9 or 10 years old without major problems and pain.