Heritable Conformational Conditions Resulting in Canine Osteoarthritis

Condition

Common Breeds with Highest Odds Ratio

Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease (avascular necrosis of the femoral head)

Australian Shepherd, Chihuahua, Miniature Pinscher, Pug, Toy Poodle, West Highland White Terrier, Yorkshire Terrier

Elbow dysplasia

Fragmented medial coronoid process

Bernese Mountain Dog, Bullmastiff, German Shepherd Dog, Irish Wolfhound, Labrador Retriever, Rottweiler, Saint Bernard

Ununited anconeal process

Bernese Mountain Dog,  Mastiff, Rottweiler

Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD)

Shoulder

Bernese Mountain Dog, Great Dane, Great Pyrenees, Irish Wolfhound, Labrador Retriever

Large-breed dogs, especially German Shepherd Dog, Rottweiler

Sporting breeds

Elbow

Chow Chow, Golden Retriever, Great Dane, Labrador Retriever, Newfoundland, Rottweiler   

Stifle

Boxer, Bulldog, Great Dane, Irish Wolfhound, Mastiff, Rottweiler

Hock

Bullmastiff, Labrador Retriever, Rottweiler

Medial shoulder instability/subluxation

Chihuahua, Dachshund, Pekinese, Shetland Sheepdog, Toy Poodle

Angular limb deformity (premature growth plate closure)

Pes varus

Dachshund

Pes valgus

Collie, Newfoundland, Rottweiler, Shetland Sheepdog

Genu valgum (knock-knee)

Small-breed dogs

Genu varum (bowlegs)

Large-breed dogs

Luxating patella

Medial

Maltese, Pomeranian, Toy Poodle, Yorkshire Terrier

Lateral

Akita, Bulldog, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Chihuahua, Chinese Shar-Pei, Great Pyrenees

Poor tibial plateau angle resulting in cranial cruciate ligament injury/rupture

Airedale Terrier, Alaskan Malamute, American Staffordshire Terrier, Boxer, Chow Chow, Labrador Retriever, Newfoundland, Rottweiler, Saint Bernard

Neutered male, spayed female, and sexually intact female dogs predisposed

Akita, Chesapeake Bay Retriever, and Mastiff were also predisposed; obesity a risk factor