Elbow dysplasia is an inherited disease which primarily affects intermediate and large breed dogs.
A high incidence of occurrence has been noted in the Bernese Mountain Dog, German Shepherd, Rottweiler, Golden Retriever, and Labrador Retriever. Other breeds affected are the Newfoundland, Saint Bernard, Mastiff, Springer Spaniel, Australian Shepherd , Chow Chow, Shar-Pei, Shetland Sheepdog, and some Terrier breeds. Typically, both elbows are affected. However, unilateral elbow dysplasia is also recognized. Clinically, the symptoms range from an occasional, intermittent lameness in some affected dogs to severe, crippling disease in others.