COMPARISON OF SUSCEPTIBILITY FOR HIP-DYSPLASIA BETWEEN ROTTWEILERS AND GERMAN-SHEPHERD DOGS

Passive laxity of the coxofemoral joints, as measured quantitatively b y radiographing the joints under stress, has been shown to be an accur ate measure of the risk for developing degenerative joint disease (DJD ) of the coxofemoral joints. Seventy-four Rottweilers between 12 and 4 0 months old were evaluated subjectively for radiographic evidence of DJD, using the ventrodorsal view of the pelvis with the coxofemoral jo ints fully extended and the knees internally rotated (standard hip-ext ended view). Effect of age, sex, weight, and distraction index on the risk of developing sro was evaluated by use of a logistic regression m odel. Results were compared with those from a group of German Shepherd Dogs. Results indicated that in Rottweilers the distraction index was the only statistically significant predictor of the risk of developin g DJD of the coxofemoral joint. When German Shepherd Dogs were include d in the model, they had a significantly greater risk of developing DJ D than did Rottweilers. This finding provides further support for the theory that there are differences in disease susceptibility among bree ds and emphasizes the need to develop disease susceptibility curves fo r all breeds affected by hip dysplasia to facilitate accurate, scienti fically based recommendations for breeding or treatment.