Dysplasia is a painful malformation of a joint. In Cotons, the two joints that matter most are the hips and the elbows. Both can be affected, and both are worth understanding if you are buying a puppy or planning a litter.
Hip dysplasia
Hip dysplasia happens when the hip joint does not form properly. The socket may be too shallow, or the ball may not sit well inside it. The result is looseness and wear, and over time this leads to pain and arthritis. The cause is not one single gene. Several inherited traits play a part, such as the shape and position of the joint and the amount of muscle holding it in place.
Signs can be subtle at first. A dog may be stiff after rest, reluctant to jump, or a little lame after exercise. In severe cases the lameness is obvious and constant. Treatment depends on how bad the problem is. Some dogs do well with weight control, gentle exercise, and pain relief. Others need surgery.
Elbow dysplasia
Elbow dysplasia is a similar story in a different joint. The bones of the elbow do not fit together as they should, which causes rubbing, inflammation, and pain. It often shows up in young dogs, from a few months to a year old, and the dog may hold one front leg out or be unwilling to walk far.
How breeders screen for it
Prevention starts before a litter is planned. Responsible breeders x-ray their breeding stock and have the images evaluated by a recognised body. In Canada, the usual route is the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, or OFA. PennHip is another option, and some breeders use a provincial veterinary college. A dog that scores poorly is usually not bred, which lowers the risk in the next generation.
If you are buying a puppy, ask the breeder whether the parents were screened and whether you can see the results. A breeder who tests openly will be glad to share them.
What the club recommends in 2026
Dysplasia can never be bred out completely, but steady screening over the years does bring the risk down. The club asks its members to test their breeding dogs and to be honest about the results. If you are not sure what a particular score means, or you are wondering whether a breeder is being straightforward, please write to us, call us, or come and visit us at a club event. We are glad to talk it through.
If you have a dog that is lame or stiff, the first stop is always your veterinarian. A proper exam and an x-ray will tell you what is going on.
