Osteochondrosis occurs primarily in medium to large and giant breed dogs. Rapidly growing representatives of these breeds seem to be predisposed. The genetic capacity for rapid growth and overfeeding may be influential during the dog's period of rapid growth. This is an important aspect in athletic dogs as often it is the largest, most rapidly growing dog that is desired. In addition the selective breeding of performance animals may be based on performance data, conformation, and other desired qualities without knowledge of the presence of articular disease that may be subclinical in nature or affected littermates.
Biomechanical forces are another important etiologic factor in the development of osteochondrosis.
Osteochondrosis lesions develop in areas of articular cartilage that are subject to increased loads. Normal joint stresses and focal trauma likely are inciting perpetuating factors involved in the pathogenesis of this condition. The strenuous activity often imposed on performance dogs at very young ages may partially account for the high incidence of osteochondrosis in many breeds of working and racing dogs. This is evidenced by higher caloric intake in rapidly growing animals resulting in greater incidence of osteochondrosis. Excessive calcium supplementation has been definitively established to increase the development of osteochondrosis.