Hip Dysplasia in Dogs: How Early Environment and Exercise Shape Joint Health

By Claudia Bensimoun | Updated October 2026 (Originally published by USDAA, 2013)

A landmark Norwegian study of hip dysplasia in dogs, led by Dr. Randi Krontveit at the Norwegian School of Veterinary Science, found that conditions in early puppyhood can affect whether, and how severely, hip dysplasia (HD) develops in genetically predisposed dogs.

Genetics provides the blueprint, but the first three months of life help shape how that blueprint plays out.

Quick Answer: What Causes Hip Dysplasia in Dogs?

Hip dysplasia is an inherited developmental condition in which the hip joint forms loosely and wears abnormally as a puppy grows. Genes set the risk, but early environment influences the outcome. In Norwegian research on four large breeds, puppies that exercised off-leash on soft, gently uneven ground up to three months of age had a lower risk, while puppies that used stairs daily during that period had a higher risk. Keeping a growing puppy lean also helps.

Image Credit: Claudia Bensimoun

The Birth-to-Three-Month Window

The research indicates that the environment puppies grow up in, specifically from birth to three months of age, influences disease development more than previously believed.

Dogs aren’t born with dysplastic hips. They inherit a tendency toward joint looseness, which then unfolds as the puppy grows. That’s why early environmental factors offer a real opportunity for prevention.

The Role of Genetics and Environment in Puppy Development

Hip dysplasia in dogs is a heritable disease, yet puppies are born with normal-looking hips. Genetically predisposed puppies develop varying degrees of joint laxity over time, and the severity of that looseness affects when signs appear and how much arthritis follows.

Any dog can develop the condition, but it is most common in large breeds such as Newfoundlands, Rottweilers, Golden Retrievers, Saint Bernards, and German Shepherds. Earlier studies pointed to rapid growth and high body weight as major drivers. Dr. Krontveit’s work added an important new perspective.

Breed-Specific Growth and Incidence Rates

The study followed Newfoundlands, Labrador Retrievers, Leonbergers, and Irish Wolfhounds from birth. Surprisingly, rapid growth and high body weight in the first year did not by themselves predict a higher risk:

• The Newfoundland: The slowest growth rate, yet the highest incidence of hip dysplasia (36%).
• The Irish Wolfhound: The fastest growth rate, yet the lowest incidence of hip dysplasia (10%).

Breed genetics clearly mattered more than growth speed, which pushed the researchers to look closely at how and where puppies were raised.

Environmental Factors and Exercise Early in Life

Conditions at the breeder’s facility during the first eight weeks were linked to later joint health. Puppies born in spring or summer, and puppies raised by breeders on farms or smallholdings, had a lower risk of developing the condition.

Once a puppy moves to its new home at around eight weeks, the exercise the owner provides becomes the key factor:

1. Off-leash exercise on soft, uneven ground: Daily outdoor exercise in parks or gently hilly terrain up to three months of age was associated with a lower risk.
2. Daily stair use: Climbing stairs every day during the same three-month period was associated with a higher risk.
3. Forced exercise: As general guidance, veterinarians advise avoiding forced running, repeated jumping, and high-impact sports until a large-breed puppy is skeletally mature.

What Kind of Exercise Is Best for a Growing Puppy?

The study pointed to free, self-paced movement on natural ground. Unlike hard, flat surfaces, grass and gently uneven terrain let a puppy move at its own speed, stop when tired, and use a varied range of motion that builds the muscles supporting the hips.

Keep in mind that this research shows an association, not proof of cause. Even so, short, unstructured outdoor play on soft ground is low-risk, good for development, and easy for most owners to provide.

Why Are Stairs a Risk for Young Puppies?

Stair use was one of the clearest environmental risks the Krontveit study identified. Puppies that climbed stairs daily before three months of age had a higher incidence of hip dysplasia than puppies that were carried or kept off steps.

One likely explanation is load: climbing shifts much of a puppy’s weight onto its hindquarters while the hip joint is still soft and forming. Until more is known, the practical step is simple. Carry young large-breed puppies up and down stairs, and use baby gates when you can’t supervise.

What Are the Signs of Hip Dysplasia in Dogs?

Some dogs show signs within their first year, while others don’t show problems until arthritis develops years later. Watch for:

• Bunny-hopping with both back legs when running
• A swaying gait or a narrow stance in the hind legs
• Difficulty rising, jumping, or climbing stairs
• Stiffness after rest or exercise
• Loss of muscle over the thighs, sometimes with overdeveloped shoulders
• Pain or resistance when the hips are handled

How Is Hip Dysplasia Screened and Diagnosed?

Your veterinarian will start with a physical and orthopedic exam, checking gait, muscle mass, and how the hips move. X-rays, usually taken under sedation, confirm the diagnosis and show how much the joint has changed.

Two screening programs help breeders choose healthier parents. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) grades hip X-rays and issues final ratings at 24 months of age. PennHIP measures hip laxity with a specialized X-ray technique and can be performed in puppies as young as 16 weeks. If you’re buying a large-breed puppy, ask to see both parents’ hip results.

How Is Hip Dysplasia Treated?

Treatment depends on the dog’s age, severity, and lifestyle. Many dogs are managed well without surgery through weight control, regular low-impact exercise, physical rehabilitation, and veterinary pain medication.

Surgical options depend on timing. Juvenile pubic symphysiodesis (JPS) can improve hip development but only works in young puppies. Pelvic osteotomy procedures may help young dogs before arthritis sets in. Femoral head ostectomy and total hip replacement are options for dogs with established disease. A board-certified veterinary surgeon can explain which fits your dog.

Most dogs with hip dysplasia eventually develop osteoarthritis in the affected joints. Our guide to arthritis in dogs covers the early signs and the treatments that keep dogs comfortable.

Understanding Hip Dysplasia as a Hereditary Developmental Disease

Despite these environmental influences, hip dysplasia remains a hereditary developmental disease. Dogs inherit the genetic instructions for joint laxity, which unfold as the puppy grows.

This distinction matters for breeders and owners alike: the disease is a process rather than a fixed state at birth. Responsible breeding with hip screening reduces the genetic risk, and good early management helps each puppy make the most of the hips it inherited.

Final Thoughts

The most empowering takeaway from Dr. Krontveit’s research is that a genetic predisposition to hip dysplasia doesn’t have to mean a life of pain. By paying attention to the first 12 weeks of a puppy’s life, breeders and owners can move from a reactive approach to a proactive one.

Prevention isn’t only about choosing the right breeder. It’s also about daily choices: rolling grass instead of living-room stairs, self-paced play instead of forced exercise, and a lean body instead of a heavy one. Together with responsible breeding and hip screening, those choices give at-risk puppies their best chance at a long, active life.

Hip Dysplasia in Dogs FAQs

Why did Newfoundlands have the highest rates despite slow growth? The findings suggest that breed-specific genetics outweighed growth rate. A slow-growing breed can still carry a high inherited risk.

Does exercise help dogs that already have symptoms? Usually, yes. Regular, controlled, low-impact exercise such as leash walks and swimming helps maintain muscle and mobility. Your veterinarian can tailor the amount to your dog.

Can hip dysplasia be prevented completely? No. Because it’s inherited, it can’t be fully prevented, but choosing screened parents and managing early exercise and weight can lower the risk and severity.

Is hip dysplasia a death sentence for my dog? Not at all. Severe cases can be painful, but most dogs live full lives with the right combination of weight control, exercise, pain management, and, when needed, surgery. Large breeds prone to the condition, like the German Shepherd, benefit most from early planning.

This article is for educational purposes and doesn’t replace an examination by your veterinarian.

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