30/09/2026
Dace Houghton posted this and as a breeder who has also been stung by other breeders taking no responsibility, we agree with everything she has laid out.
We take responsibility and always try to do the right thing.
We cannot guarantee perfect hips - no breeder can - but we guarantee that we will try to do the right thing every time. We stand by our breeding - with a wish that ALL our peers would do the same.
Dace Houghton We stole it as we agree with it and also try to live it.
Let's Talk About Hip Dysplasia
Hip dysplasia is probably one of the most discussed health conditions in the German Shepherd Dog, and understandably so. It's a topic that has been on my mind a lot lately because, as both a breeder and an owner, it is something I think about every single day.
Anyone who chooses to own a German Shepherd is usually aware that hip dysplasia (HD) exists within the breed. As ethical breeders, we are equally aware of that risk. Every litter we plan, every breeding we consider, and every puppy we decide to keep comes with thehope that we've done everything possible to produce healthy, sound dogs.
Our journey with hip dysplasia is also personal. The very first German Shepherd we purchased from a breeder was diagnosed with severe hip dysplasia at just 12 months of age. What was even harder than the diagnosis itself was receiving virtually no support from the breeder afterwards. That experience shaped the breeder I wanted to become and I made a promise that every puppy we breed would always have lifelong support, regardless of the circumstances.
One thing I have been reflecting on lately is thetendency to place all responsibility for hip dysplasia on the breeder. Ethical breeders absolutely have aresponsibility to do everything within their control, and we should stand behind the puppies we produce, however, the reality is that no single person cancompletely control the outcome.
Hip dysplasia is a complex condition, we know genetics play animportant role, which is exactly why responsible breeders health test their breeding dogs and carefully study pedigrees before making breeding decisions.
At Lettland, our dogs and generations before them, have been assessed for hips and elbows for over two decades. We select breeding stock based on health, structure, temperament and the best information available at that time.
Yet, despite generations of careful selection, hip dysplasia has not disappeared from the breed... That's because genetics are only one part of the equation. Growth rate, nutrition, body condition, exercise, environmental factors, injuries during development and simple biological variation all contribute to how an individual dog develops.
If eliminating hip dysplasia was as simple as breeding two dogs with excellent hip scores together, ethical breeders would have solved the problem many years ago. Unfortunately, biology is rarely that straightforward.
So what can responsible breeders actually do?
We can:
• Health test our breeding dogs;
• Study generations of pedigrees;
• Select breeding combinations carefully;
• Raise puppies on appropriate surfaces with good traction;
• Provide balanced nutrition during early development;
• Educate every puppy owner about safe growth and development;
• Offer lifelong support and guidance.
Education is one of the most valuable tools we have.
We spend considerable time discussing appropriate nutrition, maintaining lean body condition, age appropriate exercise, avoiding repetitive high-impact activities while puppies are growing, and providing safe footing during development.
Even with that education, every puppy's life is ultimately shaped by the environment it grows up in.
Young puppies that repeatedly jump on and off furniture, run on slippery floors, play endless games of fetch, collide roughly with much larger dogs, climbstairs excessively, become overweight or grow too rapidly all place additional stress on developing joints before their growth plates have closed. None of these things automatically cause hip dysplasia immediately, but they can influence the development of a growing puppy.
This isn't about assigning blame to owners or breeders, most people simply want to do the very best for their dog, and sometimes they aren't aware that everyday activities can have long-term consequences and that's whyeducation matters so much.
Another point worth discussing is diagnosis.
German Shepherd puppies often look awkward during growth and they go through stages where they appear gangly, loose, uneven and uncoordinated. They are growing rapidly, their muscles are still developing and their growth plates remain open. Because of this, diagnosing hip dysplasia in a very young puppy is not always straightforward.
In Australia, formal hip scoring is generally performed once dogs reach 12 months of age. Many overseas schemes, including several widely respected European and American systems, require dogs to be 24 months old before receiving final certification.
While experienced veterinarians can certainly identify puppies that require further investigation, definitive assessment relies on properly positioned radiographs interpreted through recognised scoring schemes or specialist assessment. Positioning during radiographs is extremely important, which is why experiencedpractitioners and accredited scoring programs play such an important role.
It is also worth remembering that radiographs are only one part of the picture, many dogs with mild or even moderate hip dysplasia live active, comfortable lives without ever showing clinical signs. Conversely, a dog with excellent hip scores can still develop mobility issues from unrelated orthopaedic injuries or conditions. As good and experienced veterinarians often say, we should treat the dog, not just the X-ray.
For dogs that do have hip dysplasia, management is often far more successful than many people realise.
Maintaining a lean body condition, feeding a quality diet, providing regular low-impact exercise, building good muscle strength, swimming or controlled water exercise where appropriate, and working closely with your veterinarian can all contribute to excellent long-termquality of life. Every dog is an individual, and treatmentplans should always be tailored accordingly.
One question I am often asked is whether I guarantee perfect hips. The honest answer is no, not because I don't want to, but because no ethical breeder can honestly make that promise.
What I can guarantee is that I will do everything within my control to minimise risk through responsible breeding practices, health testing, careful selection and ongoing support.
Owning any living animal involves some uncertainty, every breed carries inherited risks of one kind or another and choosing a German Shepherd means understanding those risks while also appreciating everything that makes this remarkable breed so special.
There will always be breeders who do not meet the standards we expect, just as there will always be variation in owner education and veterinary opinions. My focus isn't on pointing fingers, it is on encouraging collaboration. I believe healthy dogs are the result of responsible breeding,informed ownership and good veterinary care working together.
At Lettland, we remain committed to continually improving our breeding program, supporting our puppy families for the lifetime of every dog we produce and doing everything we reasonably can to reduce the risk of hip dysplasia.
Because at the end of the day, we all want exactly the same thing: healthy, happy German Shepherds living long, active lives with the families who love them.
Dace, Lettland German Shepherds
