Hi, just a question for any bulldog breeders mainly! I have my dogs tested as per the kennel club requirements for breeding- and only use assured breeder dogs, and mate select etc but I have had a call today from someone who bought a pup from me- born December last year and she believes he has hip displasia, and has been told by her vet that it is very common in the breed and should of been tested for. The kennel club don't ask for it- and no one has ever suggested to me it should be done. I own both mom and grandma( who is now nearly six) both are very healthy, and the male lines are both from proven good stock. I'm not sure how I should a, react to her call, and b, should I get my dogs tested- is it common, etc etc? Looking for advice, tia

I know nothing about Bulldogs but the KC does not even recommend hip scoring. 
Link shows results for hip scores in the past 15 years - only 17 Bulldogs scored in that time so it seems it isn't a common problem
https://www.bva.co.uk/uploadedFiles/Content/Canine_Health_Schemes/hip-dysplasia-breed-specific-statistics-jul-15.pdf

I'm really surprised that hip scoring isn't recommended for Bulldogs. The breed actually has a pretty high median compared to most breeds. The 15 year median is 22, the 5 year median is 16. My breed (Rhodesian Ridgebacks) are routinely scored by responsible breeders and our 5 year median score is 7.

At 6 months old, isn't it a little early to be deciding it is HD? Will the bones have grown and plates fused already? I know I own large breed dogs in comparison and that smaller breeds mature quickly but a bulldog isn't exactly a small breed is it?

I'd want this confirmed by a specialist before you go any further. Also you have to consider whether the pup has been cared for correctly to in terms of management, exercise and feeding.

According to US statistics the Bulldog is the No1 worst breed for Hip Dysplasia.

OFA Hip Statistics http://www.ofa.org/stats_hip.html 764 evaluations, only 0.3% Excellent, 73.4% Dysplastic (that would be a score over 25 on BVA comparison) http://www.offa.org/hd_grades.html

Yet amazingly very few are Hip Scored in the UK???? Only 26 scored with a range of 9 to 96, up to 11/11/'11 https://www.bva.co.uk/uploadedFiles/Content/Canine_Health_Schemes/Breed_Specific_Statistics_2012.pdf (can't find more recent.

They could always have the pup Pennhipped

Hi yes I saw that report from America- that's what got me concerned. Obviously I want to do the best for my dogs, and any pups I produce- but I know that America isn't always the same as here! She hasn't accused or asked me for anything yet- she just wanted me to know, and asked if the other pups were ok. She is having him checked over by a specialist so hopefully a concrete answer, as for previous care- he was a very large pup, and imo he's quite well padded- mine are all quite slim- especially for the breed, as they are kept fit:)

What's that?

Click on the link it explains it and where it can be done

I had an owner contact me over a puppy with elbow dysplasia, wanting the cost of the operation, plus the cost of the puppy whilst wanting to keep her, they had already asked me why she got tired after a 5 mile walk at age 16 weeks so they got sympathy but nothing else!  I would always want to know if my puppies have health problems though as it informs the way we might breed in the future.