Canine hip dysplasia in German Shepherd Dog-Greyhound crossbreeds

Nineteen German Shepherd Dog-Greyhound crossbreeds in 7 litters were evaluated by pathoanatomic and/or radiographic examination of their pelves when 12 to 24 months old (mean, 19 months). The prevalence of hip dysplasia in the crossbreeds was 42% (8/19). The prevalence of hip dysplasia in purebred German Shepherd Dog half-siblings in 16 litters produced by parents of the crossbreeds when mated to other German Shepherd Dogs was 35% (16/46). When numerical values were assigned to the pathoanatootmic and radiographic evaluations of the pelves, it was found that the severity of dysplastic changes in the crossbreeds were not significantly different from those changes in their purebred German Shepherd Dog half-siblings. It was concluded that selection for normal hips through mating German Shepherd Dogs with Greyhounds would be no more effective in lowering the prevalence of hip dysplasia than would selection within the German Shepherd Dog breed, which would be more desirable with regard to maintaining the standard of the breed.