Hip Dysplasia in Bulldogs and French Bulldogs

Name: Hip Dysplasia In Bulldogs And French Bulldogs
Creator: Dr. Roy Kraemer
Published: 2024-09-03T05:27:18-07:00

Last updated 22 September 2026 by Roy Kraemer, DVM

Radiograph of luxating dysplastic hips in a Bulldog puppy

Your vet took a radiograph for something else, said the word dysplasia, and now you are reading about hip replacements at midnight.

Stop. In bulldogs, hip dysplasia is very often an incidental finding on a film taken for another reason. The frog sit and the belly dancer walk are real, but they are not a sentence.

In twenty years and thousands of bulldogs with a hind leg limp, only a handful were the hip. In most of them, the problem was the knee.

Jump to:What causes it 7 signs to watch 4 ways to prevent it 7 owner questions

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Dr. K’s Quick Answer

Hip dysplasia means the ball and socket do not fit properly, which shows up as laxity, then subluxation, then in the worst case luxation. It is common in bulldogs and French bulldogs and it is frequently found by accident. Here is the part most owners are never told: in this breed, hip dysplasia is not the same thing as arthritis and chronic pain. That equation comes from other large breeds and it gets bulldogs mismanaged. If your bulldog is limping on a hind leg, look below the hip. An ACL tear or a luxating patella is far more likely, and both need a different plan. Before anyone operates on a hip, insist on radiographs of both knees and both hocks.

From Dr. Kraemer’s inbox

“Dr. Kraemer, my 18 month old Zeus sits with his back legs split out like a frog. I read online that this means hip dysplasia. Is there anything I can do for his hips now, before it gets worse?”

A typical message from a Bulldog owner, shortened, with the name changed.

Dr. Kraemer’s reply

Frog sitting is a compensation for hip laxity, so your instinct is reasonable. What I would not do is jump from a frog sit to a diagnosis, or from a diagnosis to a surgical consult. Hip dysplasia in a bulldog is not the same disease it is in a shepherd. Many bulldogs carry dysplastic hips on film with little or no arthritis and no meaningful pain, and the grave prognosis owners get handed is usually borrowed from other large breeds. At 18 months the useful work is all preventive and all within your control. Keep him genuinely lean, because every extra pound loads that joint on every step. Exercise him on grass or in water, and cut out the jumping, the stairs, the hard turf and the quick turns. Get him off slippery floors. Feed a large breed formulation so the bone grows at the right speed. And get chondroprotectants and fish oil into him daily, starting now rather than when he is sore. One caution: if Zeus ever goes properly lame on one back leg, do not assume it is the hip. In this breed that is usually the knee.

Dr. Roy Kraemer, DVM

Hip Dysplasia in Bulldogs and French Bulldogs INTRODUCTION:

Hip dysplasia is an orthopedic condition common to bulldogs and French bulldogs, and it is not uncommon to detect it at a young age, often incidentally, when radiographs are taken. You may notice characteristic movements such as the

“exotic belly dancer side-to-side pelvis motion”
“frog sitting” stance, where the dog sits with one or both hind legs spread out.

These behaviors indicate the dog’s efforts to compensate for the looseness or laxity in their hip. ❓How big of a concern is this? ❓Is your bulldog suffering? ❓Should you consider surgery?

Five Things to Know About Bulldog Hip Dysplasia

Hip luxation and dysplasia are common in bulldogs
It is often an incidental radiographic finding
The common clinical signs associated with hip problems in most breeds are often due to knee problems in bulldogs
Treatment includes pain control weight reduction and therapeutic bully supplements
Prevention includes Dr. Kraemer’s Hip Dysplasia Care Bundles

Welcome to Our Prevention Over RX Bulldog Community!

Hip Dysplasia in Bulldogs and French Bulldogs ANATOMY:

The hip joint articulation in bulldogs is a “ball and socket” type joint.

BULLDOG HIP JOINT BALL & SOCKET:

This anatomical structure is designed to allow a wide range of motion. The femoral head (the “ball”) at the top of the femur (thigh bone) fits into the acetabulum (the “socket”), a concave portion of the pelvis. The femoral head and the acetabulum are congruent in a healthy hip joint, allowing smooth and stable movement. When the congruence of this joint is disrupted, your bulldog puppy might present with hip laxity, subluxation, and dysplasia ➡️ Hip laxity refers to looseness or instability in the hip joint whereby the femoral head and the acetabulum do not fit as snugly as they should. ➡️ Subluxation is a partial dislocation of the hip joint. In this condition, the femoral head is partially out of the acetabulum but not completely dislocated. ➡️ Hip Luxation: a complete dislocation of the ball (femoral head) from the socket (acetabulum)

What Causes Hip Dysplasia in Bulldogs and French Bulldogs?

🚨The cause can be multifactorial:

1. HIP STRUCTURAL ABNORMALITY

Shallow hip socket
Short femoral neck
Abnormal femoral head
Abnormal soft tissue and ligament attachments.

2. HIP DYSPLASIA DUE TO GENETICS & ENVIRONMENT:

Bulldog and French bulldog hip dysplasia are multifactorial and polygenetic; thus, the disease’s outcome and severity depend on the interaction between your bulldog’s genetic susceptibility and exposure to environmental stressors.

What are Hip Dysplasia Symptoms in Bulldogs and French Bulldogs?

Keep in mind that bulldogs with hip dysplasia often don’t exhibit anything clinically, while other times they might exhibit:

Stiffness
Climb & Jump: Difficulty climbing stairs and jumping
Pain: Crepitus and pain when the hip is extended or abducted
Muscle Atrophy: Disuse atrophy (Muscle mass loss) of the dysplastic leg
“Speedo Swimming Suit” (skinny hips, puffed shoulders) due to compensation and weight shifting to the front (shoulders, torso).
Range of Motion: Decreased range of motion of the hip joint.
Limp: Lameness or unloading of the dysplastic leg during exercise.

BULLDOG HIP PHYSIOLOGY:

There are two common physiological conditions underscoring bulldog hip dysplasia: 1. Abnormal collagen and fiber development in the joint capsule and ligament of the femoral head. 2. Abnormal endochondral ossification of the acetabulum results in joint incongruency.

How to Prevent Hip Dysplasia in Bulldogs and French Bulldogs?

Preventing hip dysplasia, especially in breeds predisposed to the condition like bulldogs, involves a combination of

genetic
Supplements and nutritional
lifestyle factors

While it’s impossible to guarantee that a bulldog will never develop hip dysplasia, these measures can significantly reduce the risk and severity of the condition. Let’s break down the preventive measures you mentioned:

1. Choose a Reputable Breeder

Genetic Screening: A reputable breeder should provide evidence of hip dysplasia screening for both parents. This is often done through organizations like the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) or the PennHIP method. Screening can help ensure that parents with good hip scores are bred, reducing the likelihood of passing on predispositions to hip dysplasia.
Transparency: A trustworthy breeder will be transparent about the lineage and health of their breeding dogs and will openly share any health testing results.
Breed Standards: Breeding to the standards set by kennel clubs and breed organizations can also help minimize the risk of hereditary conditions.

2. Maintaining a Lean Body Weight

Weight Management: Keeping your dog at a healthy weight is crucial. Excess weight puts additional stress on the joints.
Regular Exercise: Regular, moderate exercise helps strengthen the muscles around the joints, providing better support and stability. Controlled activity over grass or in water is best. Avoid jumping, stairs, skateboarding, quick turns, and hard turf.

3. Appropriate Nutrition

Large-Breed Puppy Diet: Diets formulated for large-breed puppies are designed to support slower growth and healthy bone development.
Balanced Nutrition: Ensuring your puppy or dog receives balanced nutrition with the correct levels of calcium and phosphorus is essential for healthy bone and joint development.

4. JOINT BULLY THERAPEUTIC SUPPLEMENTS

Supplements: Supplements such as glucosamine, chondroitin, and omega-3 fatty acids may help support joint health.

SUPPLEMENTS FOR BULLDOG HIP DYSPLASIA:

To help prevent and control pain, inflammation, and arthritis, chondroprotectants, and fish oil therapeutic supplements are recommended.

Hip Dysplasia in Bulldogs and French Bulldogs TREATMENT

Ideal treatment requires a combination of prescription medication, regenerative therapies, and bully therapeutic supplements

1. HIP DYSPLASIA PRESCRIPTION RX:

NSAIDs, Gabapentin, Tramadol

Positive: Pain control, Anti-Inflammatory, Stress Relief
Negative: potential unwanted side effects
Other: Systemic, $$

2. HIP DYSPLASIA / REGENERATIVE MEDICINE:

Stem Cell Therapy, Cryobanking & PRP

Positive: Pain control, Anti-Inflammatory
Positive: Healing, regenerative properties
Positive: Can be cryobanked and held for additional treatment for the life of your bulldog.
Positive: can be extracted during elective surgery and cryobanked for future needs.
Positive: Can help treat other medical conditions.
Negative: Extraction of stem cells involves short-term anesthesia.
Other: Systemic (Intravenous) & Local (joints, intrathecal, etc), $$$

3. HIP DYSPLASIA NON-RX DEVICES: tPEMT, Cold Laser Therapy

Positive: Pain control, Anti-Inflammatory, and Healing
Other: local only (at the site of the injury), $$

4. HIP DYSPLASIA BULLY THERAPEUTIC SUPPLEMENTS:

Dr. Kraemer’s Supplements:

Dr. Kraemer’s therapeutic supplements are:

➡️ EASY: Chews and treats are easy to administer. ➡️ THERAPEUTIC: Can help treat other medical conditions (V4B Fish Oil). ➡️ ECONOMICAL: Systemic, $ (low cost).

HIP DYSPLASIA: OTHER THERAPIES

FDA-approved CBD oil
Physiotherapy
Acupuncture

Bulldog and Fr. Bulldog Hip Dysplasia CORRECTIVE SURGERIES:

Double or triple pelvic osteotomy (DPO/TPO)
Femoral head osteotomy (FHO)
Total hip replacement (THR)

⚠️ BULLDOG HIP DYSPLASIA SURGERY WARNING:

In 20 years, out of thousands of bulldogs I have seen with hind leg limps, only a few were directly related to dysplasia. I can count on one hand the ones who required hip/pelvic corrective surgery. Important: Should your vet suggest corrective hip surgery, it’s crucial to consult with specialists who are well-versed in both the breed and the surgical procedure. Ensure that X-rays of both the right and left knees and hocks are taken and analyzed to help exclude any other underlying orthopedic conditions.

HIP DYSPLASIA PRE-SURGERY MUST-DO:

Before consenting to hip surgical correction, your vet must exclude more likely underlying orthopedic conditions, such as

Cranial cruciate ligament (ACL Tear)

Bulldog Medial Patella Luxation (MPL).

TRAUMATIC BULLDOG HIP DYSPLASIA SLING REPAIR

Traumatic injuries, such as being struck by a car, can cause a different kind of hip luxation. A closed reduction with an Ehmer sling, a non-surgical technique intended to realign the hip joint back into its socket, is frequently effective in treating this kind of dislocation. After the reduction, the Ehmer sling is applied to keep the leg in a position that prevents the hip from dislocating again during the healing process. It does this by supporting the joint, keeping the hind leg elevated and rotated inward, which limits movement and promotes proper stabilization of the joint. This technique is preferred for its minimally invasive nature and can lead to successful outcomes if applied correctly and promptly after the dislocation. However, its success largely depends on the timing of the application and the condition of the hip joint after the injury.

Hip Dysplasia in Bulldogs and French Bulldogs TIPS & WARNINGS:

Below are a few selective hip dysplasia tips and warnings courtesy of Dr. Kraemer:

#1 🩺 BULLDOG HIPS: BREEDER TIP

Carefully choose a reputable bulldog breeder. If you want to go the extra mile, obtain a certificate from the Orthopedic Foundation of Animals to prove that the puppy’s parents do not have hip or elbow dysplasia, or any other deformities.

#2 🩺 BULLDOG HIP DYSPLASIA FLOOR SURFACE TIP:

Avoid slippery floors and surfaces.

#3 🩺 BULLDOG HIP DYSPLASIA DIET TIP:

English bulldog puppies should be fed a “large breed” puppy diet to prevent rapid, premature bone growth

#1 ⚠️ HIP DYSPLASIA-ASSOCIATED ARTHRITIS WARNING:

Hip dysplasia does not necessarily mean a life of pain and severe mobility problems for every affected dog. The assumption that hip dysplasia in bulldogs will always result in severe pain and arthritis, as often seen in other large breeds, may not be accurate. Bulldogs may not show signs of pain in ways that owners or even some veterinarians typically expect. This breed-specific resilience and the variability in how hip dysplasia progresses highlight the importance of a customized approach to diagnosis and management.

#2 ⚠️ HIP DYSPLASIA DIAGNOSTIC ERROR WARNING

When a bulldog presents with non-weight-bearing lameness, it’s critical to consider other common conditions like Cranial Cruciate Ligament (CCL, similar to the ACL in humans) tears or Medial Patella Luxation (MPL) as potential causes. Both conditions are prevalent in Bulldogs and can lead to acute pain and lameness, often requiring different management strategies or surgical interventions compared to hip dysplasia. Hip dysplasia in bulldogs is not synonymous with osteoarthritis and chronic pain. Some of you have seen the dysplastic radiographs of your bulldog and have been told about the grave prognosis and the associated pain and disability. This erroneous statement is based on our experience with other large breeds, leading to the mismanagement of bulldogs with hip dysplasia. In contrast to other large breeds, the majority of those findings are incidental to bulldogs. Many bulldogs have no or minimal arthritis. If your bulldog is experiencing hind leg discomfort or limping, look below the hip joint.

🚨The knees are the most likely cause in most cases.

#3 ⚠️ BULLDOG HIP DYSPLASIA SURGERY WARNING:

In 20 years, out of thousands of bulldogs I have seen with hind leg limps, only a few were directly related to dysplasia. I can count on one hand the ones who required hip/pelvic corrective surgery.

Bulldog and Fr. Bulldog Hip Dysplasia Summary:

Again, if corrective hip surgery is recommended, please seek additional opinions from specialists experienced with the breed and the procedure, and make sure that radiographs are taken of the right and left knees and hocks to help rule out other underlying orthopedic problems.

From Dr. Kraemer’s exam room

A bulldog-focused vet, hands-on for decades

Insider tip

The single most useful sentence I can give a bulldog owner holding a dysplastic hip film is this: get radiographs of both knees and both hocks before anyone talks about cutting a pelvis. In twenty years of bulldogs with hind leg limps, I can count the ones who genuinely needed hip or pelvic surgery on one hand. The reason is simple. A dysplastic hip shows up on the film, so it gets the blame. The knee does not show up nearly as clearly, and in this breed the knee is usually the culprit. If you take away one thing, take away that. And if you are choosing a puppy, ask the breeder for OFA or PennHIP certification on both parents. It is the cheapest prevention there is, and it happens before you ever bring the puppy home.

Bulldog hip dysplasia: quick answers

My bulldog frog sits. Does that mean hip dysplasia?

Frog sitting, where one or both back legs splay out sideways, and the side to side belly dancer pelvis motion are both compensations for looseness in the hip. They point at hip laxity, but they are not a diagnosis on their own and they do not predict pain or disability.

Is a dysplastic hip on the X-ray bad news?

Usually less than you have been told. In bulldogs it is often an incidental finding on a film taken for something else, and many bulldogs with dysplastic hips have little or no arthritis. The grave prognosis owners are given is generally borrowed from other large breeds and it does not transfer to this one.

My bulldog is limping on a back leg. Is it the hip?

Probably not. In this breed the knee is the most likely cause. An ACL tear or a medial patella luxation causes acute pain and non-weight-bearing lameness, and both need a different plan from a hip. Look below the hip joint first.

What are the signs I should actually watch for?

Stiffness, difficulty with stairs and jumping, pain or crepitus when the hip is extended or abducted, muscle wasting on the affected leg, reduced range of motion, a limp or unloading of that leg on exercise, and the Speedo look: skinny hips with puffed shoulders as weight shifts forward.

How do I prevent it?

Four things. Choose a breeder who can show OFA or PennHIP screening on both parents. Keep your bulldog lean. Exercise on grass or in water and avoid jumping, stairs, hard turf, quick turns and slippery floors. Feed a large breed puppy formulation so bone grows at the right pace. Then add joint supplements early.

Which supplements, and when?

Chondroprotectants and fish oil, to help control pain, inflammation and arthritis: Joint and Bone Total Care, Comfort Plus AcheLess and EFA Fish Oil. Start early, in puppyhood if you can, and keep going for life.

When is surgery actually the answer?

Rarely, in this breed. DPO/TPO, FHO and total hip replacement all exist and all have their place, but if corrective hip surgery is proposed, get a second opinion from a specialist who knows bulldogs, and make sure both knees and both hocks have been radiographed and read first. A traumatic luxation, from a car for example, is different and often responds to a closed reduction with an Ehmer sling.

Dr. Kraemer’s Bully Orthopedics Vital Bundle for bulldogs 59lb and under

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Built for a named mechanical fault

Hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, an ACL or a luxating patella are structural problems, not wear and tear. The Orthopedics Vital Bundle comes as one complete bundle rather than a ladder, because the fault does not get better on its own. Bundle & save

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Veterinary Care and Supportive Products

A bulldog that is non-weight-bearing on a hind leg, or losing muscle on one side, needs an examination with radiographs of the hips, both knees and both hocks, because the treatment is completely different depending on which joint it is. No supplement corrects a shallow socket. What supplements do is protect cartilage and control the inflammation and pain that can follow, which is why starting early matters more here than almost anywhere else.

The Orthopedics Vital Bundle

More Help from Dr. Kraemer

A hind leg limp in a bulldog has several possible sources. These are the ones I check before I blame the hip:

About the Author

Roy Kraemer, DVM, is a veterinarian with extensive clinical experience caring for Bulldogs and French Bulldogs. His educational work emphasizes accurate diagnosis before treatment, prevention, weight and mobility management, responsible medication use, and a second opinion before irreversible orthopedic surgery.

Trusted by Vets ~ Recommended by Owners ~ Loved by Bulldogs

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References

Orthopedic Foundation for Animals. Hip Dysplasia Screening
University of Pennsylvania. PennHIP Method
Merck Veterinary Manual. Hip Dysplasia in Dogs

Hip Dysplasia In Bulldogs And French Bulldogs