Not dealing with details of veterinary aspects of the problem (see 2—3 pages for that) we'll start on general issue features. Definition says Hip dysplasia is hip joint immaturity which means mismatching of joint fovea and hip head shape (Lefler). International name of hip dysplasia is HD. This defect may appear on any breed dog weighing more than 20 kg / 44 lbs. Diagnostics shall be based on X-ray examination only, while clinical symptoms aren't specific and may differ from absolute absence of signs to full joint dislocation. HD cause may be as heredity as many external factors: exercises mismatching age, diseases, metabolic disorders on puppy growing.

As said above Hip dysplasia had been first described in USA; it was also there where breeding use of dogs with it was limited as selection measure and to avoid «overproduction crisis» of some breeds. This tendency soon reached Europe either. The test was on the turn by the time and became prevalent all over the world.

ADRK checks dogs for Hip dysplasia (HD) not younger than a year old. X-ray test is performed by veterinary in owner presence. Veterinaries set to perform this high-responsibility work is very limited and every one of them has special license. Test results are sent to ADRK, owner gets them in hands, lineage data overside is being marked by dysplasia degree, so it's being accordingly concluded on whether rottweiler is available for breeding or not. Test number and vet name who gave the verdict is denoted either. Annually ADRK breeding book publishes information about dogs passed the test, their Club database numbers (procedure may differ in time) and HD degree conclusion numbers.

How do this selection and publicity affect the practice? Let's give a look to the ADRK breeding book. For example, volume LXIX, year 1985. HD test had been passed by about 560 rottweilers, about 90 of them had moderate and severe forms (i.e. 16,5% of being checked). To compare we take results ten years later. Volume LXXVIII, year 1994. 959 dogs checked, only 3,5% had shown severe and moderate degree. Such a progress impresses and inspires in some sense.

ADRK had been going years to such impressing results, gradually excluding from breedeing dogs with highest HD degrees. At the very beginning, for instance, only general check of rottweilers claiming for breeding career had been set. Step by step objective data had been accumulated. After the system started to work and became really total, rottweilers with severe HD (HD +++) had been excluded from the breeding.

Breeding was on that point for a while till severe degree percentage had been appreciably decreased when pets with moderate HD degree had been excluded either. Gradually requirements to X-ray shots analysis had been becoming more firm. One of nowadays «dabs» of German vet surgery, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine H. U. Ficus says that's almost impossible to see on the X-ray shot the same severe HD degree as 30—40 years before as dogs population became totally more healthy (relating to dysplasia). So, X-ray shots comparing rottweiler with moderate HD degree from «cultured» breeding area and one with intermediate form from «wild» area (where was no diligent HD selection) goes against the latter.

By no means, so high level of dysplasia reduction in the ADRK rottweiler reduction it will be led to desired minimum in a few decades. But don't get under illusion that «HD-free» days will start broad rottweilers breeding. Let's dip into the future and guess. Veterinary progress in USA and Germany is so high that probably the day when scientists will propose new methods of controlled limitation of dogs population excluding from breeding dogs with Kening's disease (dissecting osteochondrosis) or GalveLegg-Perthes disease (aseptic necrosis of hip joint head) is soon. Nowadays there's an opinion that these pathologies have the same genetic nature as HD has.

Let's talk about psychology. «Popular» word «dysplasia» befuddles almost all not too much experienced rottweilers' owners. Hearing something about «pluses» and «minuses» relating to HD most of them have their hair rose on head — they prefigure miserable crawling rottweiler awaiting his death hour. Especially worrying is that thoughts of dysplasia took form of mass psychosis in the rottweilerists community, though little can explain comprehensibly the difference between sacramental «+/-», «+» or «++». While this distinction may be proved by quite experienced vet — surgeon or radiologist only.

Most rottweilerists don't know that many recent ADRK super-stallions — Muck vom Gruntenblick N 72244 (Intern. champ., FRG champ. 1982), Ivan vom Fusse der Eifel N 62651 (Europe champ. 1986, Club winner 1986), Noris von Gruntenblick N 73857 (Club winner 1991—92) — had intermediate dysplasia degree (+/-) which didn't stop their having korung, plenty of descents, great stallions fame and reputation as phenomenal successful exhibitions dogs. 20—30 years later ADRK may gently outstep this threshold «+/-» either to leave only HD-free dogs for breeding.
Certainly, Hip dysplasia is disadvantage which is being successfully fought in many countries with high-developed cynology, so in the modern world it's dealt not as «impairment», but only as one of preventive measures of «birth control» to improve general quality of pedigreed dogs at a row with training and psychical selection.

Resume: Hip dysplasia diagnostics may be based on X-ray examination only, while clinical symptoms aren't specific. They may differ from total absence of signs to full dislocation of the joint. HD may be hardly defined, so devote greater care to this problem — examine your rottweiler.

EUROPEAN STUD SERVICE PRODUCING LARGE, EXTRATYPE ,SUBSTANTIAL,GOOD BONE, EXCELLENT STRUCTURE AND LARGE HEADS.
1) What is elbow dysplasia?
Elbow dysplasia (ED) is a broad term used to describe Ununited Anconeal Process (UAP), Fragmented Coronoid Process (FCP) and Osteochondrosis of the humeral condyle (OCD). Most Rottweilers with ED have FCP. All three of these conditions are believed to be due to a failure of endochondral ossification, which is the conversion of cartilage to bone during skeletal maturation. The end result is a weakness in the affected area leading to a flap of cartilage (OCD) or fractures of pieces of bone, which are essential to the stability of the elbow joint (UAP, FCP). The piece of bone floating in the joint is like a pebble in a shoe, causing inflammation and pain.
The consequence of ED is the formation of Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD). DJD (arthritis /osteoarthritis) forms in a joint when there is instability in a joint or as a degenerative process with old age. As the cartilage becomes worn the underlying bone is exposed and because the cartilage cannot repair itself osteophytes (spurs) of bone form. Over time if the instability persists more bone is added leading to more arthritis.
Dogs with elbow dysplasia may have severe forelimb lameness or never show any clinical signs. There may be swelling (effusion) in the elbow joint, pain when the elbow is extended and the paw is often held with the foot rotated outwards. In a 1996 study of 55 Rottweilers followed from 3-12 months only 5% of dogs showed signs of lameness but 57% developed radiographic signs of ED by 12 months of age.

2) Diagnosis:
FCP in particular can be very hard to diagnose. Unless a large fragment is visible, it is typically diagnosed by the appearance of secondary DJD, which can take weeks to months to develop. FCP can be seen as early as 7-8 months but may not be diagnosed until the films are sent for OFA evaluation. Sending the films to a Board Certified Radiologist or Surgeon can be helpful to obtain the diagnosis. 3 views of the elbow are recommended to diagnose ED (neutral lateral, hyperflexed lateral, and ventrodorsal). Hyperflexion is used for OFA evaluation because it gives the best view of the anconeal process. 50% of dogs have both joints affected so it is recommended to always x-ray both elbows. In a growing Rottweiler, ED should be one of the top diagnoses to rule out if there is lameness involving one or both front legs that does not resolve with rest.

3) OFA:
The Orthopedic Foundation For Animals scores elbows as normal or dysplastic (DJD I, II, III). Preliminary x-rays can be done at 12 months or 24 months for breeding dogs. A score of DJD I, II or III is based on the millimeters of arthritis found at the anconeal process. Sclerosis (increased bone density) in the area of the coronoid process is also used. Arthritis will not form in young dog with a normal elbow joint therefore an elbow that fails OFA has underlying ED.

4) What is the cause of elbow dysplasia?
Textbooks can be written on this subject and there is no one single cause. Like hip dysplasia ED is multifactorial. Genetics are thought to be of primary importance in high incidence breeds such as the Chow, Rottweiler, German Shepherd (GSD), Bernese Mountain Dog and Retrievers. Conformation, body condition and trauma are other risk factors. Large puppies of high incidence breeds should be kept in lean body condition and not excessively exercised to lessen the risk. Studies are being done on hereditary pattern and found to vary between breeds and sex.