"Let's see those statistics. I would also suggest that many more SV breeders submit xrays to the SV than do WL breeders, so the SV results may very well be skewed. Then again, the SV only sees the better xrays. I've been told that WL's produce more cases of severe HD than SL's.  How about the xrays submitted to the SV that are from dogs that are both WL and SL. Do they keep records on them as well? I suspect we will never know for sure; how could we?

So assuming SL's do have more HD and they have more angulation, you would conclude that breeding for and from dogs with less rear angulation might help reduce the incidence of HD?"

I haven't been on PD in a long time and here is my favorite topic!  Hip Dysplasia!
There are some great comments and some that need more information to make judgement.  First - all HD is not genetic.  Yep, it's true.  The best way to reduce HD is to finally get genetic markers.  Now- once you do that and decide to eliminate all of the HD dogs - your bring the gene pool down soooooooo much that you will be removing other valuable qualities.  

Genetics - and how to do something with what you know - is always a topic of controversy even with geneticists.  Same with Nutrition.  We know we can breed HD clear dogs for 5 generations and still have something pop up and does - why? 

Before anyone decides to alter a proven reputable breed - and the GSD is, one has to consider the entire genetic baggage responsible that is added in.

And with the Belmont coming up - never consider crossing QH with the beloved TB to improve -?  QH's muscular fiber makeup is more high oxidative fast twitch - means short fast sprints.  TB has more low oxidative - translates to distance.  Cross the two?  you might get more FTHO or LO and you won't know until you decide to test the horse.   TBs are better selected as for racing quality than GSD's are by most breeders for working.  They do things like "index ratios on breeding performance"  wow - I love this!

Back to HD -  Breeders - keep records and really use them.  We are not perfect - but we can be open and honest about good qualities and hopefully bring real objective educational information into this picture.   Penn Hip vs OFA?  makes no difference ( can you believe I said that?)  Find a vet or radiologist who really knows dogs to help you.   ( ok guys - lots of you are very diligent out there so you know those I am referring to :).

Nutritionally - stop feeding in excess - and no excessively underweight puppies either.  growing dogs need a quality puppy food up to 1 year of age.   Stop excessive work on puppies. Puppies are puppies and need play not massive stress.  Feed a balanced diet.  Use common sense. 

I very well appreciate the passion of the original writer and others here and that is to be complimented that one wants to better something they cherish.   I love my old line working dogs that I breed and will forever keep them.   I have had some old line showline dogs come on occasion to breed.  I have to say I respect those dogs too for their qualities too.

Cheers!

Nancy Rhynard
www.westwoodkennels.com

On the OFA homepage chose education, breed statistics, hip dysplasia statistics and trends in hip dysplasia by breed. These time periods are based on year of birth and give trends on percent excellent and hip dysplasia.

Not to our knowledge.

Breeding schemes that employ estimated breeding values
(EBVs) that combine phenotypic ratings from all known relatives
(weighted according to genetic relationship) provide the greatest
selective power, rather than single measurements on individual
dogs (Zhu et al., 2009; Hou et al., 2010). EBVs that utilize molecular
genetic markers for liability genes would be even more beneficial
(Stock and Distl, 2010; Zhou et al., 2010).

Blitzen, you can criticize me all you like for not adhering to the standards that you (and perhaps the majority here) might adhere to.  I'm really OK with that.  Just know it's not going to change my views or practice.  Like Keller says, there's no evidence to support that view.  I can at least unlike many breeders say, that with hundreds of clients, I have yet to have any confirmed or even suspected HD in my breeding.  Not saying that will always be the case, or that I won't one day push my luck too far...

i was going to comment on breeding for the "whole dog."  but gustav already said it very clearly:

That's why most savy breeders breed dogs and not hips. When you start breeding hips, or any singular aspect, you will bring an imbalance to the breed.



 absolutely!  i couldn't agree more!

pjp