Hip dysplasia is a developmental disease of the hip joint, whereas the femur head moves in the socket and wears down the bone surfaces.

Hip dysplasia can vary in severity from a mild/borderline case to a complete subluxation of the ball and socket or a missing socket.

When a dog is dysplastic, the femur head doesn't fit nicely into the socket. Both hips should have the femur head snugly fitting while in the OFA required position for x-ray evaluation.

Newfoundland dogs need to have good muscle tone to help prevent the joints from becoming too loose and allowing the femur to cause wear on the socket of the hips.

Hip Dysplasia can be either unilateral, affecting only one hip; or bilateral, affecting both hips.

Hip Dysplasia is commonly thought of to be a genetic issue, but there is a lot of evidence that suggests that hip dysplasia is also influenced by environmental and nutritional factors.

The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, more commonly known as OFA, offers x-ray evaluations & registries for hips & elbows.  They also offer statistical information for the Newfoundland breed, however, most severely dysplastic x-rays are never submitted for evaluation, so the statistics are not accurate. Over 32% which are submitted are dysplastic.

Through selectively breeding, breeders have made outstanding strides toward bettering our breeds hips.  OFA documents the trends to show how x-raying hips can greatly increase  the Newfoundland's health!

There are other factors which can prevent a Newfoundland with good hips from passing OFA certification.
Any female Newfs which have been xrayed too close to estrus, as in those who short cycle, will show subluxation.
Any xrays who do not show the hips in the correct position for OFA evaluation, will not pass certification.

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