Health

An unfortune health issue that lingers within all large/giant breeds is Hip Dysplasia.

As this has been a topic within our breed of Kangal Shepherd Dog, we have decided to briefly touch on this and to remain transparent with our community.

Canine hip dysplasia (CHD), or developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH), is a degenerative disease that causes a hip deformity in dogs.
Hip dysplasia is a common skeletal condition, seen in dog breeds of all sizes, however more prominent in large or giant breeds. This condition causes the ball and socket joint of the hip to grind and causes deterioration over time due to uniform growth not occurring during development.

Symptoms can include:
Decreased activity and range of motion such as jumping, running and climbing
A clicking in the joints during movement
Stiffness and inability to put pressure on joints
Looseness in joint and swaying gait
Lameness
Loss of muscle mass

The only accurate way to diagnose dysplasia is to see a vet.

Diagnosis, prevention, and management of canine hip dysplasia: a review “By current consensus, joint changes consistent with CHD are influenced by genetic predisposition as well as environmental and biomechanical factors; however, despite decades of work, the relative contributions of each to the development and extent of CHD signs remain elusive. Similarly, despite considerable effort to decipher the genetic underpinnings of CHD for selective breeding programs, relevant genetic loci remain equivocal. As such, prevention of CHD within domestic canine populations is marginally successful. “

An interesting study measuring the genetic markers of CHD across all breeds registered through FCI An across-breed validation study of 46 genetic markers in canine hip dysplasia

A scientific report examining the rate of CHD through AKC “The Demographics of Canine Hip Dysplasia in the United States and Canada” Overall Results. The hip dysplasia scores were 1 in 74,931 dogs; 2 in 601,893; 3 in 95,154; 4 in 6,772; 5 in 86,321; 6 in 47,971; and 7 in 8,004, resulting in an overall CHD prevalence of 15.56%

Haskan Dogs (72 puppies birthed as of 02/2022) – Elbow dysplasia 2/72 and Hip dysplasia 5/72

We strive to breed healthy dogs and have had low occurrences within our breeding, however acknowledge that this occurs within our breed and is a risk that is taken within involvement of a giant breed.