Canine Hip Dysplasia
Canine Hip Dysplasia: Why Genetics Are Only Part of the Story
A Disease That Changed the Way I Look at Canine Health
At Vita Forte Cane Corso, health is not simply something we talk about. It is the foundation of our breeding philosophy.
There is a very personal reason for that.
Long before Vita Forte Cane Corso existed, I owned a Cane Corso who changed the way I understood canine health forever.
I did not buy him for breeding. I did not have a breeding program in mind.
He was simply my dog.
My companion.
And he became one of the most special parts of my life.
He was also diagnosed with serious hip dysplasia and osteoarthritis at a young age.
Living through his disease taught me something I wish I had understood when I first brought him home: responsible breeding matters enormously, but protecting a growing puppy does not end when that puppy leaves the breeder.
Genetics matter.
Proper growth matters.
Nutrition matters.
Body condition matters.
Appropriate exercise matters.
Early recognition matters.
And education matters.
This is why I want to share not only the veterinary science behind canine hip dysplasia, but also my own experience of living with this disease for many years.
—
What Is Canine Hip Dysplasia?
Canine hip dysplasia (CHD) is a developmental orthopedic condition in which the hip joint develops abnormally
The hip is a ball-and-socket joint. In a healthy hip, the head of the femur fits securely within the acetabulum. In a dysplastic hip, abnormal laxity — or looseness — allows excessive movement within the joint.
Over time, this abnormal movement can damage cartilage, alter the shape of the joint and contribute to the development of osteoarthritis.
The American College of Veterinary Surgeons identifies hip joint laxity as a central feature of canine hip dysplasia. As abnormal movement continues, progressive joint changes can develop.
Hip dysplasia is particularly important in medium, large and giant breeds, including the Cane Corso.
Hip radiograph from my own Cane Corso following his diagnosis of hip dysplasia. I share these images from my personal experience to help owners understand what significant hip disease can look like.
—
Hip Dysplasia Is a Complex Disease
One of the most important things for owners to understand is that hip dysplasia cannot be explained by one simple cause.
Genetics play a major role.
Hip dysplasia is a complex inherited condition, but genetics alone do not determine exactly how severely the disease will ultimately affect every individual dog.
Growth, nutrition, body condition and environmental factors can influence the development and clinical expression of orthopedic disease.
This distinction is important.
It would be incorrect to say that one slippery floor, one period of exercise or one injury simply “causes” genetic hip dysplasia.
Likewise, however, puppies from health-tested parents are not automatically guaranteed never to develop the condition.
Health screening is an extremely important tool for reducing risk.
It cannot reduce that risk to zero.
Responsible breeding therefore involves more than looking at a single result. Health testing, family history, pedigree information and thoughtful selection all contribute to better breeding decisions.
For me, one of the most important messages of this entire article is:
«Good genetics give a puppy a better foundation. Responsible growth and care help us protect that foundation.»
—
My Story: I Did Not Know What I Know Today
When I purchased my first Cane Corso, I knew that hip dysplasia existed.
But, like many puppy owners, I never truly believed it would happen to my dog.
At that time, I did not ask to see his parents’ hip results.
I simply did not understand how important that question was.
Years later, after my dog had already been diagnosed, I contacted his breeder and told her what had happened. She told me that his parents had healthy hips.
I did not personally see those original reports, so I cannot independently document their results today. I have remained in contact with his breeder over the years, and one of my dog’s brothers also did not develop the same hip problems.
I include this detail because I want this story to be transparent.
That experience taught me something important: when making breeding decisions or choosing a puppy, documented health testing matters.
Today, health documentation is an essential part of how I evaluate breeding dogs.
—
The First Sign Was Easy to Explain Away
My dog appeared to be a healthy, strong puppy.
At approximately seven to eight months old, however, I noticed intermittent limping.
Around that period, he had also injured himself while playing with other dogs after stepping awkwardly into a hole.
Naturally, I associated the lameness with that incident.
We visited an experienced veterinary orthopedic specialist.
After examining him and evaluating his hips, the veterinarian was very straightforward with me. He was concerned about the way the joints were developing.
He told me that although we would need to reassess my dog as he matured, he did not expect the situation simply to resolve as he grew. In his professional opinion, hip dysplasia was very likely to be confirmed later.
He did not try to frighten me or dramatize the situation.
He simply told me what he saw.
But I still hoped.
I think that is a very human reaction.
When you love your dog, you hold on to the possibility that somehow, when the time comes to look again, the news will be better.
For a while, that hope was easy to hold on to.
My dog grew.
He played.
He walked.
He lived like a normal young Cane Corso.
Looking at him every day, it was difficult to imagine what might actually be happening inside his joints.
—
A Dog Can Have Serious Hip Disease and Still Look Surprisingly Normal
This is one of the reasons hip dysplasia can be deceptive.
The severity of changes seen on radiographs does not always correspond perfectly with what an owner sees at home.
Some dogs with substantial radiographic changes may remain active, while others can experience significant discomfort and lameness.
Possible Signs of Hip Dysplasia May Include:
– intermittent or persistent hind-limb lameness;
– difficulty or reluctance when rising;
– reluctance to jump or climb;
– decreased activity;
– hip discomfort;
– reduced muscle mass in the hindquarters;
– altered gait;
– shifting more body weight toward the front limbs.
That last point became particularly important later in my dog’s life.
Another radiographic view from my dog’s orthopedic evaluation. Despite his diagnosis, as a young dog he remained active and often appeared completely normal in everyday life.
—
The Diagnosis That Changed Everything
When my dog was approximately a year and a half old, we returned to the same orthopedic veterinarian and repeated the radiographs.
This time, the diagnosis was no longer only a concern about what might happen in the future.
The hip dysplasia was there, and arthritic changes were already present.
The diagnosis was serious.
The veterinarian considered the condition severe enough to recommend surgery. His prognosis without surgical intervention was concerning: he believed that the disease could progress to the point where my dog might lose his ability to walk at a relatively young age.
Hearing that was incredibly difficult.
I cried.
I was scared. I was devastated.
And, like many owners who suddenly receive a serious diagnosis for an animal they deeply love, I struggled to accept what I was hearing.
This was not simply a radiograph or a medical diagnosis to me.
This was my dog.
And he was an incredibly special dog in my life.
After the initial shock, however, I realized that being afraid would not help him.
So I started learning.
I began reading everything I could find about canine hip dysplasia.
I asked questions.
I spoke with veterinarians.
I tried to understand what was happening inside his joints, how the disease could progress, what treatment options existed, what I could change in his everyday life, and what I could do to preserve his mobility and quality of life for as long as possible.
Because surgery was such a significant decision, I also sought a second opinion from another highly experienced veterinary orthopedic specialist.
He confirmed that the hip disease was serious.
However, his perspective on treatment was somewhat different.
When I asked whether surgery was absolutely necessary, he explained that the decision ultimately belonged to me.
The radiographs were certainly not good, but in his professional opinion, it was possible to manage a dog with hips like these without immediate surgical intervention.
He did not promise me five years.
He did not promise me ten.
He could not tell me exactly how the disease would progress.
But he helped me understand that surgery was not the only path I could consider.
And that left me with an extraordinarily difficult decision to make.
I understood why surgery had been recommended.
I understood the seriousness of the diagnosis.
But I also understood that major orthopedic surgery would mean a significant procedure followed by a demanding recovery and rehabilitation.
I had to decide what I believed was right for my dog.
After considering both professional opinions and learning as much as I could, I chose not to pursue surgery.
That was a personal medical decision made for one individual dog after veterinary consultation. It should not be interpreted as a recommendation against surgical treatment for other dogs with hip dysplasia.
Instead, I made a commitment to him.
I would learn.
I would change what needed to be changed.
I would manage his condition as carefully as I possibly could.
I would protect his mobility, manage his discomfort, adapt his environment and lifestyle, and do everything within my ability to give him a full and happy life for as long as his body allowed.
That diagnosis became the beginning of years of learning.
The more I studied hip dysplasia, the more I began to recognize things I wished I had known when he was a puppy.
Some of those realizations were painful.
But they also changed me.
—
Looking Back at My Own Mistakes
This is perhaps one of the hardest parts of this story to write, but it may also be one of the most useful.
Knowing what I know today, there are things I would have done differently while raising him.
At the time, I genuinely believed I was doing everything correctly.
I loved my puppy and wanted the very best for him.
But love and good intentions cannot replace knowledge.
For example, I had slippery flooring in areas where my puppy lived. At the time, I did not give much thought to traction or repeated slipping during the development of a large-breed puppy.
Today I pay much more attention to secure footing during puppy development.
I also believed that providing additional calcium-rich foods was automatically beneficial because calcium is important for bones.
Today I understand that growing large-breed puppies require carefully balanced nutrition rather than indiscriminate supplementation.
A complete and balanced diet formulated appropriately for large-breed growth is designed to provide suitable mineral nutrition during development.
More is not necessarily better.
I also once believed more strongly that joint supplements could “strengthen” a puppy’s joints.
Today I am much more careful with that statement.
Supplements may have a role in the management of individual dogs when recommended by a veterinarian, but they should not be presented as something capable of preventing inherited hip dysplasia.
They cannot substitute for responsible breeding, appropriate nutrition, healthy body condition, sensible activity or veterinary care.
That is another lesson this dog taught me:
«When better evidence changes what we know, responsible owners and breeders should be willing to change what we do.»
—
Why Early Evaluation Matters
Owners do not necessarily have to wait until a dog is fully mature before discussing concerns about the hips with a veterinarian.
The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals accepts preliminary hip evaluations in puppies from four months of age. Final OFA hip certification, however, requires the dog to be at least 24 months old.
PennHIP is another method used to assess hip joint laxity and can be performed by appropriately trained veterinarians.
Early veterinary evaluation can be particularly important when a puppy shows persistent or recurrent orthopedic signs.
Some treatment options for young dogs are age-dependent, which makes timely diagnosis important.
Early concern does not necessarily mean catastrophe.
But early concern deserves investigation.
—
What Happened as My Dog Grew Older
For years, my dog compensated.
As his hips became increasingly compromised, I observed him shifting more of his body weight toward his front end and adapting the way he moved.
When he was approximately seven years old, there came a day when he could not get up.
It was another frightening turning point.
We returned for further veterinary evaluation, including X-rays of his spine, to understand what was happening.
The imaging identified additional problems involving his spine alongside the orthopedic disease we had already been managing for years.
Looking back, it was impossible not to think about how much his body had been compensating throughout his life. Because his hips were compromised, he had adapted the way he stood, moved and carried his weight.
However, I want to make an important distinction:
I cannot scientifically say that his hip dysplasia directly caused the changes in his spine.
A single dog’s medical history cannot establish that kind of cause-and-effect relationship.
What I can say is that altered movement and compensation were part of his long orthopedic history, and watching his body adapt to chronic disease profoundly changed the way I think about the entire musculoskeletal system.
A painful joint does not exist in isolation.
When a dog changes the way he moves to protect one painful area, other parts of the body may be asked to compensate and experience different mechanical demands.
Watching this happen to my own dog profoundly changed the way I think about mobility, compensation and long-term orthopedic health.
Spinal X-ray from my Cane Corso’s veterinary evaluation at approximately seven years of age. By this stage of his life, we were managing orthopedic problems beyond his original hip diagnosis. This image is shared as part of his personal medical history.
—
Three More Years
After that major crisis at approximately seven years of age, we managed to get him mobile again.
He remained on his feet for approximately another three years.
Those years required veterinary care, medication, injections, pain management and ongoing supportive treatment.
They also required substantial financial resources.
During those final three years alone, I calculated that I spent approximately $15,000 on medications and medical management.
That figure did not include his normal food, toys or routine living expenses, and it did not include everything I spent on supplements and other supportive products.
I mention the financial cost not because money was the most important part of his story.
It wasn’t.
I mention it because prospective dog owners need to understand that severe chronic orthopedic disease can become a lifelong commitment — emotionally, physically and financially.
Living with a chronically ill dog can be difficult.
Love makes us willing to do extraordinary things for them.
But the reality is that not every family is prepared for years of medical management, difficult decisions and the emotional burden that can accompany serious chronic disease.
That is another reason responsible breeding, appropriate health screening and educated puppy ownership matter so much.
—
He Made It to Ten Years Old
My dog ultimately remained mobile until approximately ten years of age.
By the end, the destruction of his joints was profound.
What stays with me most is that otherwise, he still had life in him.
This disease gradually took away his mobility.
And eventually, I had to say goodbye to my beautiful boy.
He was not simply a dog I once owned.
He was an extraordinary part of my life.
And what he taught me did not disappear with him.
The dog behind this story — my companion, a part of my soul, and the Cane Corso who changed the way I would think about health and responsible breeding forever.
—
What Puppy Owners Can Do
We cannot eliminate every risk.
What we can do is reduce avoidable risks and make informed decisions.
Choose Your Breeder Carefully
Ask to see actual health-testing documentation rather than relying solely on verbal assurances.
Responsible health screening of breeding dogs is one of the tools available to reduce the risk of inherited orthopedic disease.
Allow Healthy, Controlled Growth
A Cane Corso puppy does not need to become enormous as quickly as possible.
Appropriate calorie intake and healthy body condition are important during development.
Feed an Appropriate Large-Breed Growth Diet
Growing large-breed puppies have specific nutritional requirements.
Avoid casually adding calcium, vitamin D or other supplements to a complete and balanced growth diet unless your veterinarian recommends doing so.
Keep Your Puppy Lean
Maintaining an appropriate body condition reduces unnecessary mechanical load on developing joints.
Provide Sensible Activity
Puppies need movement, play and muscle development.
Activity should, however, be appropriate for the individual puppy’s age, physical development and veterinary needs.
Provide Good Traction
Where practical, provide secure footing in the areas where your puppy frequently runs, turns, rises and plays, particularly if your home has very smooth flooring.
Take Persistent Lameness Seriously
Do not automatically assume recurring limping is simply “growing pains” or the result of play.
Persistent or recurrent lameness in a young dog deserves veterinary evaluation.
Ask About Early Hip Evaluation When There Is Concern
You do not necessarily have to wait until two years of age before investigating a possible orthopedic problem.
—
Health-Tested Parents Are Essential — But They Are Not a Guarantee
This point deserves its own section.
Responsible breeders should screen breeding dogs for hip dysplasia.
But health testing is risk reduction — not a promise that no affected puppy can ever be produced.
Hip dysplasia has a complex inherited basis, and its clinical expression can vary considerably between individual dogs.
That is why responsible breeding and responsible puppy raising must work together.
A breeder’s responsibility is to make thoughtful breeding decisions, perform appropriate health screening, provide honest information and educate puppy families.
An owner’s responsibility is to provide appropriate nutrition and body condition, sensible activity, veterinary care when necessary and a suitable environment during development.
Neither side can control biology completely.
But both sides can make choices intended to improve the odds.
—
Why Health Comes First at Vita Forte Cane Corso
I did not buy this dog for breeding.
I did not bring him into my life because I had a breeding program in mind or because I was planning to become a breeder.
I brought him home simply because I wanted a Cane Corso of my own.
He became much more than that.
He was my companion, my family, and one of those very special dogs who becomes a part of your soul.
Living with him was also what made me fall even more deeply in love with the Cane Corso breed.
Through him, I experienced what makes these dogs so extraordinary — not only their powerful and beautiful appearance, but their character.
Their strength.
Their intelligence.
Their devotion to their people.
Their ability to form an extraordinary bond with their family while still possessing the confidence and presence that make the Cane Corso such a remarkable breed.
Somewhere during those years, the first thoughts about breeding began to grow.
I wanted other people to have the opportunity to experience what I had experienced — to know the Cane Corso not simply as an impressive-looking dog, but as the extraordinary companion I had come to know.
But there was another side to my experience.
I also knew what it was like to live with a Cane Corso suffering from serious orthopedic disease.
I knew the worry.
I knew the veterinary appointments, medications and difficult decisions.
I knew what it was like to watch a strong dog gradually adapt his body because his joints could no longer do everything they once could.
I knew the financial commitment.
And most importantly, I knew the emotional cost of watching a dog you love live with a chronic disease that you cannot simply make disappear.
That realization became extremely important to me.
If I was ever going to bring Cane Corso puppies into this world, I wanted to do everything reasonably within my control to give them the strongest possible foundation for a healthy life.
That does not mean pretending that any breeder can guarantee perfect health.
We cannot.
Biology does not work that way.
Health testing cannot eliminate every possibility of disease, and even carefully planned breedings can never come with absolute guarantees.
But that does not make health testing less important.
It makes responsible decision-making even more important.
For me, responsible breeding means using the health information available to us, carefully selecting breeding dogs, understanding health concerns within the breed, continuing to educate ourselves, and being honest with puppy families about both genetics and responsible puppy development.
It also means recognizing that producing a healthy puppy is only the beginning.
A breeder can make careful breeding decisions and provide guidance, but owners also become part of that puppy’s future.
Appropriate nutrition, healthy body condition, sensible activity during development, veterinary care and responsible management all matter.
This is why health is not simply a section on the Vita Forte Cane Corso website.
It is not a marketing phrase.
And it is not something I chose because it sounds good.
It comes from experience.
It comes from years spent beside a dog I loved more than I can adequately put into words.
He was never part of my breeding program.
But in many ways, he helped shape the breeder I would eventually become.
He taught me how extraordinary the Cane Corso can be — their strength, their devotion, their character, and the remarkable bond they can share with their family.
And his illness taught me something equally important:
«Loving this breed also means accepting the responsibility to protect it.»
Years later, when Vita Forte Cane Corso became a reality, those lessons were already part of its foundation.
The name Vita Forte means “Strong Life.”
For me, those words represent much more than physical strength.
They represent the kind of life I want for the dogs I bring into this world — a life built on thoughtful breeding, health, stability, responsible care, and the opportunity to remain strong beside their families for as many years as possible.
I know that no breeder can promise a life without illness.
Genetics are complex, and living animals can never come with absolute guarantees.
But we can make responsible choices.
We can health test.
We can study pedigrees and health histories.
We can continue learning.
We can educate our puppy families.
And we can do everything reasonably within our control to give each new life the strongest foundation possible.
That is what Vita Forte means to me.
And perhaps, in a way, it began with one very special Cane Corso who was never meant to be part of a breeding program at all.
He was simply my dog.
My companion.
A part of my soul.
And the dog who changed everything.
—
Veterinary & Scientific Resources
For readers who would like to learn more about canine hip dysplasia, screening, diagnosis and treatment, I encourage you to consult established veterinary resources:
Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) — Hip Dysplasia
Information about canine hip dysplasia, radiographic evaluation and hip screening.
Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) — Preliminary Evaluations
Information about preliminary hip evaluations in dogs younger than 24 months.
American College of Veterinary Surgeons (ACVS) — Canine Hip Dysplasia
Information about the development, diagnosis, medical management and surgical treatment of canine hip dysplasia.
Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine — Canine Hip Dysplasia (CHD)
Information about inheritance, risk factors, diagnosis, treatment and management.
PennHIP
Information about quantitative assessment of canine hip joint laxity and the risk of developing osteoarthritis.
—
Medical Disclaimer
This article is intended for educational purposes and includes my personal experience as a Cane Corso owner and breeder.
My dog’s individual medical history and the decisions made for him should not be interpreted as treatment recommendations for another dog.
Canine hip dysplasia varies considerably between individual dogs. Decisions regarding diagnostic imaging, medical management, rehabilitation or surgery should be made in consultation with a licensed veterinarian or veterinary orthopedic specialist.
If your puppy or adult dog shows persistent lameness, pain, difficulty rising, altered gait or other orthopedic symptoms, please seek veterinary evaluation.
Elbow Dysplasia
Elbow Dysplasia in Cane Corso
Why Health Testing Matters
Elbow dysplasia (ED) is an important developmental orthopedic condition that can affect medium, large, and giant breeds, including the Cane Corso.
Unlike a simple injury, elbow dysplasia develops as the elbow joint forms and has a significant hereditary component. It is a complex, multifactorial condition. Factors such as growth rate, body weight, nutrition, and activity may influence how the disease is expressed, but genetics play an important role — which is why responsible breeders screen breeding dogs before making breeding decisions.
What Is Elbow Dysplasia?
The canine elbow is a complex joint where three bones — the humerus, radius, and ulna — must fit and move together correctly.
Elbow dysplasia is not one single abnormality. It is a general term that includes several developmental conditions affecting the elbow:
Medial Coronoid Disease (MCD/FCP) — abnormal development, fissuring, or fragmentation of the medial coronoid process.
Ununited Anconeal Process (UAP) — failure of the anconeal process to properly unite with the ulna.
Osteochondrosis / Osteochondritis Dissecans (OCD) — abnormal development of cartilage and the underlying bone.
Elbow incongruity — abnormal alignment or mismatch between the joint surfaces.
These abnormalities can alter the way forces are distributed through the elbow, contributing to cartilage damage, inflammation, pain, and secondary osteoarthritis.
Normal canine elbow — flexed mediolateral radiographic view.
Image adapted from Kubiak-Nowak et al., Life, 2026, 16(7), 1063. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
Why Genetics Matter
Elbow dysplasia has an important hereditary component.
Simply looking at a dog and seeing that it runs, plays, and shows no obvious pain is not enough when making responsible breeding decisions.
Some affected dogs can have relatively subtle clinical signs, and abnormalities may be detected radiographically before an owner notices a significant problem.
This is why health screening matters.
Responsible breeding cannot guarantee that elbow dysplasia will never occur. However, screening breeding dogs and using health information when selecting breeding pairs can help reduce the risk and prevalence of the disease over generations.
Radiographic example of canine elbow dysplasia.
The arrows highlight abnormalities within the elbow joint, including joint incongruity, changes involving the coronoid region, and secondary osteoarthritic changes.
Image: Uwe Gille / Wikimedia Commons. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
How Is Elbow Dysplasia Diagnosed?
X-rays (radiographs) are commonly used to screen breeding dogs for elbow dysplasia.
For OFA evaluation, abnormal elbows are classified according to the severity of secondary degenerative joint changes:
Grade I — Mild
Minimal bone change along the anconeal process, with bone proliferation measuring less than 2 mm.
Grade II — Moderate
Bone proliferation of approximately 2–5 mm, with additional changes such as sclerosis of the trochlear notch.
Grade III — Severe
Well-developed degenerative joint disease, with bone proliferation greater than 5 mm.
A radiographically normal elbow is reported by OFA as Normal; Grades I, II and III refer to abnormal elbows.
Some lesions — particularly medial coronoid disease — can be difficult to identify on routine radiographs. When a clinical problem is suspected, CT can provide more detailed visualization of the joint and may identify lesions that are difficult to see on conventional X-rays.
Ununited Anconeal Process (UAP).
The anconeal process has failed to unite normally with the ulna. UAP is one of the developmental abnormalities associated with canine elbow dysplasia and can result in joint instability, inflammation, pain, and secondary osteoarthritis.
Image: National Museum of Health and Medicine / Wikimedia Commons. Licensed under CC BY 2.0.
What Can Elbow Dysplasia Mean for a Dog?
Affected dogs may develop:
front-leg lameness
stiffness, particularly after rest or exercise
pain during movement or elbow manipulation
decreased range of motion
progressive osteoarthritis
reduced willingness to exercise
The severity of radiographic changes does not always perfectly correspond with the severity of clinical symptoms. Some dogs may show relatively subtle outward signs despite abnormalities being present within the joint.
Once significant osteoarthritis develops, those degenerative changes cannot simply be reversed. Treatment therefore focuses on managing pain, maintaining mobility, addressing specific lesions when appropriate, and slowing further deterioration.
Severe (Grade III) canine elbow dysplasia.
An anatomical specimen showing pronounced bony changes associated with advanced elbow dysplasia and secondary degenerative joint disease.
Image: Uwe Gille / Wikimedia Commons. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Why We Test
At Vita Forte Cane Corso, health testing is not simply paperwork.
It gives us valuable information that cannot always be obtained by watching a dog walk, run, or play.
Elbow screening, together with other health testing, pedigree information, structure, and temperament, helps us make more informed and responsible breeding decisions.
No breeder can control every variable in biology. But we can make informed choices — and responsible breeding begins with knowing as much as possible about the dogs behind the next generation.
Veterinary & Scientific Sources
Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) — Elbow Dysplasia
Official information regarding elbow dysplasia, inheritance, radiographic screening, and OFA grading.
Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) — Elbow Dysplasia�
Merck Veterinary Manual — Elbow Dysplasia in Dogs
Veterinary reference covering medial coronoid disease, UAP, osteochondrosis/OCD, elbow incongruity, diagnosis, and treatment.
Merck Veterinary Manual — Elbow Dysplasia in Dogs�
Kubiak-Nowak et al. (2026)
Frequency and Coexistence of Ununited Anconeal Process with Other Primary Elbow Dysplasia in Dogs.
Life, 16(7), 1063.
Read the scientific article — Life / MDPI�
Oberbauer, Keller & Famula (2017)
Long-term genetic selection reduced prevalence of hip and elbow dysplasia in 60 dog breeds.
PLOS ONE, 12(2), e0172918.
Read the scientific article — PLOS ONE�
DSRA
DENTAL-SKELETAL-RETINAL ANOMALY (DSRA) IN CANE CORSO
WHY HEALTH TESTING MATTERS
When choosing a Cane Corso puppy, health testing should be an important part of your research.
Responsible breeding is not only about appearance, pedigree, or temperament — it is also about understanding hereditary diseases and making informed breeding decisions that reduce the risk of producing affected puppies.
One genetic condition Cane Corso owners and breeders should be aware of is Dental-Skeletal-Retinal Anomaly (DSRA).
WHAT IS DSRA?
Dental-Skeletal-Retinal Anomaly (DSRA) is an inherited condition identified in the Cane Corso.
It is associated with a genetic variant in the MIA3 gene and can affect several parts of the body, particularly the teeth, skeletal development, and eyes.
The condition can involve three major groups of clinical abnormalities:
DENTAL ABNORMALITIES
Teeth may be brittle, discolored or translucent, smaller than normal, or prone to enamel defects, fractures, and fragmentation.
SKELETAL ABNORMALITIES
Affected dogs may show disproportionate growth, shortened or bent limbs, and other abnormalities of skeletal development.
PROGRESSIVE RETINAL DEGENERATION
Affected dogs can develop progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), resulting in progressive loss of vision.
The severity and combination of clinical signs may vary between affected dogs.
Not every affected dog will necessarily show the same degree or combination of dental, skeletal, and retinal abnormalities.
Because DSRA can involve several different body systems, its outward appearance may vary considerably.
This is also one of the reasons why DNA testing is so valuable: genetic status cannot be reliably determined from appearance alone.
Research into DSRA continues to improve our understanding of the condition and its clinical presentation in the Cane Corso.
HOW IS DSRA INHERITED?
DSRA is inherited in an autosomal recessive manner.
This means a dog must inherit two copies of the disease-associated genetic variant — one from each parent — to be affected.
A dog with only one copy is considered a carrier.
Carriers are generally clinically healthy but can pass the variant to their offspring.
When two carriers are bred together, each puppy has, statistically:
25% chance of being affected
50% chance of being a carrier
25% chance of being genetically clear
These probabilities apply independently to each puppy in a litter.
This is why genetic testing before breeding is so important.
Knowing the genetic status of both parents allows breeders to make informed breeding decisions and avoid pairings that could produce DSRA-affected puppies.
CAN A DSRA CARRIER BE USED FOR BREEDING?
Being a carrier does not mean that a dog is sick.
A carrier may be used responsibly in a breeding program when carefully paired with a dog that has been genetically tested Clear (N/N) for DSRA.
Such a pairing should not produce DSRA-affected puppies, although some puppies may inherit carrier status.
Automatically removing every carrier from a breeding population is not necessarily the best approach to genetic health.
Responsible use of genetically valuable carriers, when paired appropriately with clear dogs, can help reduce disease risk while preserving valuable genetic diversity within the breed.
Genetic testing therefore gives breeders something extremely important:
The ability to make breeding decisions based on knowledge rather than assumption.
WHY TESTING MATTERS
Because carriers may show no clinical signs, it is impossible to reliably determine carrier status simply by looking at a dog or evaluating how healthy the dog appears.
A DNA test can identify whether a dog is Clear, Carrier, or Affected for the tested DSRA variant.
For responsible breeders, this information allows breeding decisions to be planned before a mating ever takes place.
Testing is not simply about collecting certificates.
It is about understanding the dogs being bred, selecting appropriate pairings, and reducing the risk of preventable hereditary disease in future generations.
For puppy families, asking about the health testing performed on the parents is an important part of choosing a breeder.
Test results should not simply exist — they should be understood and used as part of a thoughtful breeding program.
At Vita Forte Cane Corso, we believe that responsible breeding begins with knowledge, careful planning, and a commitment to the long-term health of the breed.
Health testing matters because responsible breeding begins long before puppies are born.
SOURCES & FURTHER READING
LABOKLIN — Dental-Skeletal-Retinal Anomaly (DSRA)
LABOKLIN — Dental-Skeletal-Retinal Anomaly (DSRA)�
Christen M. et al. — MIA3 Splice Defect in Cane Corso Dogs with Dental-Skeletal-Retinal Anomaly (DSRA), Genes, 2021
Christen M. et al. — Genes, 2021�
Korec E. et al. — The First Confirmed Case of Dental-Skeletal-Retinal-Anomaly (DSRA) in the Cane Corso Italiano Dog Breed in the Czech Republic, 2022
Korec E. et al. — DSRA Case Report, 2022�
This article is provided for educational purposes and is not a substitute for veterinary advice or individualized genetic counseling.