What do you guys know about it? I didn't realize it happened to puppies, but I had mine x-rayed by 2 different vets and he doesn't have hip sockets

My understanding is that when hip dysplasia occurs in pups it is due to hereditary genetics. The failure of the hips and/or femur ball joints to form properly begins before birth. I've always had labs and they are one of the breeds susceptible to hip dysplasia. Almost all my pups are OFA certified to have no hip dysplasia at the time of the X-rays but that is no guarantee it won't occur later in their lives.

I'm sorry to hear about your pup.

Sorry to hear about your pup, I've had Labs most of my life and all were OFA hip certified. Out of seven Labs, Two had hip dysplasia, One at 14 & one at 11. I think it also has a lot to do with time in cold water.

It's definitely genetic and some breeds are more prone to it than others due to various factors such as low numbers/small gene pool making all individuals genetically related (boykin spaniel), the toro effect where one individual or line becomes so popular most or are bred to that line, indiscriminate breeding where strict selection for health is not practiced (labs) or intentional selection for bad form for aesthetics ( german shephard). It is exacerbated in many breeds, particularly working breeds, by the practice of line breeding closely related individuals.

The ultimate fix for this is strict screening of breeders to avoid carriers of the genes and a ruthless cull of those that are effected and or carriers. But since there is yet to be a genetic blood test and the only identifier is a live animal with bad hips plus the evidence can range in severity from pups without hips to dogs that break down with age identification is not simple. Then once you have a positive animal you need it's pedigree to, and pedigrees of it's relations, to trace back the potential carriers.

BTW, this strict culling is also why many hard working breeds are relatively free of genetic issues that effect performance. The old timers didn't waste time.

Thanks guys