13/12/2025
Hip dysplasia (HD) and elbow dysplasia (ED) are polygenic AND multifactorial.
Research clearly shows that there is no single gene and no single cause. Instead, many genetic factors interact—major genes, minor genes, and modifying genes—and, during growth, encounter environmental influences that determine whether and to what extent dysplasia develops.
Genetics thus determines the predisposition. The environment determines the course.
Several large studies show heritability values between 20 and 40% in many breeds (higher or lower depending on the breed). A significant portion of the variability arises not from genetics, but from factors such as:
> Growth rate
> Exercise intensity
> Muscular development and coordination
> Nutrition and energy intake
> Weight
> Surfaces and daily environment
> Early microtrauma to growth plates
> Management during the sensitive growth phase
What is particularly exciting is that this multifactorial dynamic is now widely recognized. The article "The complexity of hip dysplasia (HD) in dogs" (Wayosi, 2025) summarizes this very aptly: HD arises from the interplay of many small influences, not from a single trigger. The authors emphasize that genes merely increase the predisposition; whether this predisposition manifests depends heavily on environmental stimuli, growth, exercise, and body weight.
This view is fully consistent with the findings of veterinary research (Mäki et al., Malm et al., Oberbauer et al., Ginja et al.): Genetics is relevant, but not deterministic. A dog with a genetic predisposition will not develop HD if environmental conditions are favorable. A dog without a strong predisposition can still develop HD if growth and exercise are unfavorable.
For prevention, this means: We can actively influence over 50% of the risk factors. Through controlled exercise, muscle conditioning, appropriate nutrition, weight management, good surfaces, and early functional diagnostics.
.. HD and ED are therefore not "diseases of fate". They are also developmentally related diseases, the course of which we can significantly influence during growth.
