Hip Dysplasia typically develops because of an abnormally developed hip joint, but can also be caused by cartilage damage from a traumatic fracture. With cartilage damage or a hip joint that isn’t formed properly, over time the existing cartilage will lose its thickness and elasticity. This breakdown of the cartilage will eventually result in pain with any joint movement.

No one can predict when or even if a dysplastic dog will start showing clinical signs of lameness due to pain. Severity of the disease can be affected by environmental factors, such as caloric intake or level of exercise. There are a number of dysplastic dogs with severe arthritis that run, jump, and play as if nothing is wrong and some dogs with barely any arthritic x-ray evidence that are severely lame.

Screenings for Hip Dysplasia are performed by a veterinarian with x-rays

Elbow dysplasia is a general term used to identify an inherited polygenic disease in the elbow. Three specific etiologies make up this disease and they can occur independently or in conjunction with one another. These etiologies include:

• Pathology involving the medial coronoid of the ulna (FCP)

• Osteochondritis of the medial humeral condyle in the elbow joint (OCD)

• Ununited anconeal process (UAP)

Studies have shown the inherited polygenic traits causing these etiologies are independent of one another. Clinical signs involve lameness which may remain subtle for long periods of time. No one can predict at what age lameness will occur in a dog due to a large number of genetic and environmental factors such as degree of severity of changes, rate of weight gain, amount of exercise, etc.. Subtle changes in gait may be characterized by excessive inward deviation of the paw which raises the outside of the paw so that it receives less weight and distributes more mechanical weight on the outside (lateral) aspect of the elbow joint away from the lesions located on the inside of the joint. Range of motion in the elbow is also decreased.

Degenerative Myelopathy is a debilitating disease that causes gradual paralysis in many dog breeds. It is caused by a degeneration of the spinal cord that onsets typically between 8 and 14 years of age. It presents first with the loss of coordination of the hind legs. It will typically worsen over six months to a year, resulting in paralysis of the hind legs. If signs progress for a longer period of time, loss of urinary and fecal continence may occur and eventually, weakness will develop in the front limbs. An important feature of Degenerative Myelopathy is that it is not a painful disease.

Results of Temperament test performed at a club

• Cardiac Evaluation  - Congenital Cardiac Exam, Advanced Cardiac Exam

• Autoimmune thyroiditis - evaluation from an approved laboratory - recommend yearly testing

• Eye Examination by a boarded ACVO Ophthalmologist- recommend annually until age 6, every 2 years thereafter 
   

With the advanced technologies, scientists are able to provide breeders with unique results of DNA-based traits of their dogs. We find these a great plus in aiding us to make better breeding choices. However, it is very important to understand how genetics work and not just complete the tests.  Breed-Relevant Genetic Conditions for German Shepherd Dog include the following popular testings: 

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~ Multiple Drug Sensitivity (MDR1)

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~ Degenerative Myelopathy (DM)

*provided that DM testing is very common, we have already included it above as one of the genetic health screens for the breed

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~ Hemophilia A

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~ Hyperuricosuria

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~ Mucopolysaccharidosis 

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~ Pituitary Dwarfism

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~ Von Willebrand disease

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Less common DNA-based testing for the breed include: 

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~ Canine Leukocyte Adhesion Deficiency Type III, CLADIII (FERMT3)

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~ Platelet factor X receptor deficiency, Scott Syndrome (TMEM16F)

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~ Day Blindness (CNGA3 Exon 7 German Shepherd Variant)

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~ Urate Kidney & Bladder Stones (SLC2A9)

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~ Anhidrotic Ectodermal Dysplasia (EDA Intron 8)

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~ Renal Cystadenocarcinoma and Nodular Dermatofibrosis