Summary
In order to look for phenotypic correlation between hip (HD) and elbow (ED) dysplasia,
we used radiographic scoring obtained from 1,411 dogs of different breeds, which were
evaluated for authoritative grading of both conditions. In this population, we found
that the risk ratio for an animal to be simultaneously affected by HD and ED is 1.67.
For a dog with ED, the risk ratio to be affected by HD increases as the ED grade increases.
Similarly, for a dog affected by HD, the risk ratio to be affected by ED increases
as the HD grade increases. In a dog affected by HD or ED, the clinician should look
for the second condition in the same animal. Due to the low, yet positive correlation,
selection against one trait will not affect the other trait sufficiently. Therefore
selection has to be conducted at reduction of HD as well as reduction of ED.
Keywords
Hip dysplasia - elbow dysplasia - dog - radio-graphic screening - correlation
