Hip Dysplasia Scheme for dogs

The scheme has screened more than 250,000 dogs from over 180 breeds for hip dysplasia

The Hip Dysplasia Scheme was established by BVA and the Kennel Club in 1965 to reduce the incidence and severity of the condition. Hip dysplasia can have serious effects on the health, behaviour and welfare of dogs. The scheme uses X-rays to screen for signs of abnormalities (irregular or poorly shaped hip joints) caused by hip dysplasia. X-rays are reviewed and scored by BVA-appointed expert veterinary surgeons.

Key features of the scheme

Find out more information on our processes, scrutineers, and quality control for the scheme.

Key features

What is canine hip dysplasia?

Hip dysplasia is a common inherited orthopaedic problem where abnormalities occur in the hip joints. These abnormalities include changes to the shape of the hip, ball and socket and the development of osteoarthritis (a common form of arthritis).

Changes to the hip joint will begin at a young age as the puppy starts to become more active and will get worse over time. These changes can lead to excessive wear and tear of the joint, causing one or both hip joints to become defective. At this stage the hip joint(s) may be painful and can have serious effects on the health, behaviour and welfare of the dog.

The severity of hip dysplasia can vary from a poorly shaped hip joint with osteoarthritis (a common form of arthritis) to a very deformed hip joint with advanced and very painful osteoarthritis.

For more in-depth information on hip dysplasia download our leaflet (2.8 MB PDF).

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What are the signs?

Signs of hip dysplasia in dogs vary between individuals and breeds. Some visible signs include:

Lameness (being unable to walk correctly)
Stiffness after rest
A reluctance to exercise
Groaning while resting or getting up
Difficulty in using the stairs

A vet’s physical examination will provide a more reliable assessment of whether hip dysplasia is present and an X-ray is the only definitive way of diagnosing hip dysplasia.

How to treat it?

It is possible to ease some of the signs of pain and limitation of movement caused by hip dysplasia. There are a variety of medications and surgical procedures that can be considered. Applied heat, massage, good bedding, exercise and weight management as well as nutrition and physiotherapy also play a part in caring for a dog affected by hip dysplasia.

For vets

For breeders

For owners

For vets

Hip scheme update

Turnaround times

We aim to have a one to two week turnaround following payment for online submissions made on the CHS portal.

We are unable to fast-track any submissions or give preferential treatment to any practices or breed clubs.

Health and safety for vets

The veterinary surgeon certifying the submission must ensure that the hip and elbow Procedure Rules and Regulations are understood and followed. This includes working in accordance with the current Ionising Radiations Regulations when radiographing dogs - more information on this can be found on page 2, point 4 of the procedure Rules and Regulations.

Please make sure that you and your team involved in making submissions to the schemes familiarise yourselves with the following:

About the scheme

The Hip Dysplasia Scheme uses radiology to screen for abnormalities in the hip joints. The radiographs are scored by BVA appointed Scrutineers for any anatomical and pathological changes indicative of hip dysplasia and a score is recorded. This score, and its relation to the breed median score, is intended to assist dog breeders in their selection of breeding stock.

The Scheme is open to all dogs and breeds including crossbreeds, unrecognised breeds, and dogs not registered with the Kennel Club. To find out more about hip dysplasia, please read our hip dysplasia leaflet.

How to make a submission

Before making a submission to the Hip Dysplasia Scheme please read the Procedure Rules and Regulations explaining the requirements and procedure for radiography.

A single submission to the Hip Scheme starts from £73.50 (inc. VAT). A full breakdown of costs and offers can be found on our fees page.

We have a scoring session each week where two expert scrutineers review the radiographs.

We are unable to fast-track any submissions or give preferential treatment to any practices or breed clubs.

Positioning

When submitting to the Canine Health Schemes, a standard position for radiography should be followed.

To ensure correct positioning please watch our comprehensive how-to guide for radiographic positioning for the Hip Dysplasia Scheme.

What do the results mean?

The hip score is made up of the total number of points given for different features in the hip joint, it is representative of the severity of the condition. The lower the score the better. The minimum score for each hip is 0 and the maximum is 53, giving a range for the total score of 0 to 106. This total score should be compared to the breed median.

If the dog is registered with the UK Kennel Club, their results will be sent to the Kennel Club for publication on the Kennel Club website.

Responsible breeders should select their breeding stock (both dogs and bitches) only from animals with hip scores below the breed median score.

More information on the scoring process can be found in Ruth Dennis’ article in Companion Animal Practice.

What is the breed median score?

We create breed specific statistics which include the breed median for every UK Kennel Club registered breed of dog that goes through the CHS Hip Dysplasia Scheme, as well as the most common crossbreeds and unrecognised breeds that go through the Scheme.

The breed median score is calculated from all the scores recorded for that breed over the previous 5 years. It represents the ‘middle’ score for all dogs’ in that breed, meaning that half of the dogs through the Scheme will have scored lower than the median, and half will have scored higher than the median.

CHS recommends only breeding from dogs that have a total score lower than the breed median.

For breeders

Hip scheme update

Turnaround times

We aim to have a one to two week turnaround following payment for online submissions made on the CHS portal.

We are unable to fast-track any submissions or give preferential treatment to any practices or breed clubs.

Payment

You can pay your CHS submission fee directly at your vet practice. If you don't pay your submission fee directly at your vet practice, you'll receive an email to make an online payment once your vet submits your dog's radiographs. Please follow the link in the email to make your submission fee payment. Please note: submissions will not be scored or graded until payment has been received in full by CHS.

About the scheme

The Scheme uses X-rays to screen for abnormalities (changes) in the hip joints. The radiographs are scored by an expert panel of veterinary surgeons otherwise known as Scrutineers. The scores can then be compared to the breed median, allowing breeders to make informed breeding decisions.

The Scheme is open to all dogs and breeds including crossbreeds, unrecognised breeds, and dogs not registered with the Kennel Club, and breed medians are published for the most common crossbreeds and unrecognised breeds that go through the Scheme.

Download our leaflet on hip dysplasia in dogs for more information on the condition and the scheme.

How to make a submission

Contact your vet and arrange an appointment for your dog to be X-rayed.
The X-rays must be taken under anaesthesia or heavy sedation which means that the dog may have to be left for a short time at the veterinary practice. The type of drugs used will vary depending due to age, breed and history of the dog, and is generally a very safe procedure in healthy dogs. Hip X-rays can be taken at the same time as those for the Elbow Dysplasia Scheme. If you have any queries speak to your vet or read the Procedure Rules and Regulations explaining the requirements and procedure for radiography (particularly Sections 6-8).
Once the X-rays have been taken, your vet will submit the details, X-rays, and fee to CHS.
The X-rays will be scored by our expert panel of veterinary surgeons. We have a scoring session each week where two expert veterinary surgeons review the radiographs.
The results certificate will be returned to your vet and passed on to yourself. We always recommend discussing the result with your vet.
If your dog is registered with the UK Kennel Club, the results will also be published on the Kennel Club website.

Requirements

Before having your dog screened for hip dysplasia, please make sure you can meet the following requirements:

The dog must be at least 1 year old.
The dog must be permanently and uniquely identified by a microchip.
If applicable, the dog’s Kennel Club registration certificate and any related transfer certificates must be available so that the details can be printed on the X-rays.

Submission fees

A single submission to the Hip Scheme starts from £73.50 (inc. VAT). A full breakdown of costs and offers can be found on our Submissions Fees page.

The results

Interpreting and using the results

Once your dog has been scored, a completed certificate detailing the hip scores will be sent back to your vet and then passed on to yourself.

CHS recommends only breeding dogs with hip scores under the breed median.

Understanding the breed median

We create breed specific statistics which include the breed median for every UK Kennel Club registered breed of dog that goes through the Hip Dysplasia Scheme, as well as the most common crossbreeds and unrecognised breeds that go through the Scheme.

For owners

Hip scheme update

Turnaround times

We aim to have a one to two week turnaround following payment for online submissions made on the CHS portal.

We are unable to fast-track any submissions or give preferential treatment to any practices or breed clubs.

Payment

About the scheme

The Hip Dysplasia Scheme uses X-rays to identify abnormal growth (changes) in the hip joint. The images are then reviewed and scored by a expert panel of veterinary surgeons. The hip scores should then be compared to the breed specific statistics so breeders can make sure they are only breeding from healthy dogs.

What does the hip score mean?

If you are looking to purchase a puppy that may be at risk of hip dysplasia, it is important that you see both parents’ results for hip dysplasia before you commit to buying. Using The Puppy Contract and/or buying from a Kennel Club Assured Breeder will help you ask all the right questions and identify responsible breeders and healthy puppies.

Owners who have had their dogs scored for hip dysplasia will receive a results certificate showing the hip score. A total score can range from 0 to 106, the lower the score the better. We recommend that breeders should only breed from a dog with a score below the breed median and we publish breed medians for every UK Kennel Club registered breed of dog that goes through the Hip Dysplasia Scheme, as well as the most common crossbreeds and unrecognised breeds that go through the Scheme.

How to screen my dog for hip dysplasia

Contact your vet and arrange for your dog to be X-rayed as part of the CHS Hip Dysplasia Scheme. If you have any queries speak to your vet or read the Procedure Rules and Regulations explaining the requirements and procedure for radiography (particularly Sections 6-8).
Your vet will then submit the X-rays and relevant information to CHS.
Expert veterinary surgeons appointed by BVA will score the X-rays. We have a scoring session each week where two expert veterinary surgeons review the radiographs.
The results will be returned to your vet and passed on to yourself.
If your dog is registered with the UK Kennel Club , the results will also be published on the Kennel Club website.

A single submission to the Hip Scheme starts from £73.50 (inc. VAT). A full breakdown of costs and offers can be found on our Submissions Fees page.

What breeds are commonly at risk?

Hip dysplasia affects a range of breeds including crossbreeds.

Common breeds at risk of hip dysplasia are:

Border Collie
Bernese Mountain Dog
German Shepherd
German Shorthaired Pointer
Golden Retriever
Goldendoodle
Hungarian Vizsla
Labrador Retriever
Labradoodle
Newfoundland
Rottweiler

Many other breeds suffer from hip dysplasia, visit the Kennel Club's Breeds A to Z page for more information.

Blog and further reading

Our scrutineers and panellists

To ensure the highest standards, expert veterinary surgeons appointed by BVA are responsible for scoring and grading all our hip, elbow and CM/SM submissions. All our eye panellists who perform the clinical examinations are specialists in ophthalmology.

Expert vet panel

Got a question about the scheme?

Visit our CHS help centre to see answers to frequently asked questions.

If you can't find your answer there, you can contact the CHS team via email: [email protected]