Understanding Hip and Elbow Scoring in Leonbergers: Our Approach at Leonrua
At Leonrua, the health and wellbeing of our Leonbergers is at the heart of everything we do. One of the most important aspects of breeding healthy, sound dogs is ensuring their joints — particularly hips and elbows — are strong and structurally correct. Large breeds like the Leonberger are prone to joint issues, especially hip and elbow dysplasia, so rigorous screening is essential.
In this blog, we’ll explain the joint screening methods we use at Leonrua: PennHIP for hips and the Lavelle (Australian) system for elbows. These systems represent the gold standard in canine orthopaedic assessment, providing early, accurate, and objective data about joint health.
🦴 Why Hip and Elbow Scoring Matters
Hip and elbow dysplasia are developmental conditions where the joints do not form correctly. This can lead to pain, arthritis, reduced mobility, and, in severe cases, the need for surgical intervention or euthanasia. Since dysplasia is influenced by both genetics and environment, responsible breeding must start with dogs that have structurally sound joints.
At Leonrua, all our breeding dogs undergo thorough joint screening before being considered for our program. Here’s how we do it.
🐾 Hip Scoring with PennHIP
What is PennHIP?
PennHIP (short for Pennsylvania Hip Improvement Program) is a scientific, evidence-based method developed at the University of Pennsylvania. It is considered one of the most accurate predictors of future hip health and osteoarthritis risk in dogs.
Unlike traditional scoring systems that provide a subjective grade based on a single view of the joint, PennHIP evaluates passive hip laxity — how loose the hip joint is — using three specific radiographs taken under sedation:
- Distraction View – measures joint laxity.
- Compression View – assesses joint congruity.
- Standard Hip-Extended View – for comparison with other methods.
The result is a Distraction Index (DI) score between 0 and 1:
- Lower DI = tighter hips = better
- A DI of 0.3 or below is ideal.
- Breeding dogs should fall below the breed median for Leonbergers, which helps reduce the genetic risk of hip dysplasia.
Why We Use PennHIP
- Early detection – Puppies can be tested as early as 16 weeks.
- Objectivity – Results are based on precise measurements, not subjective grades.
- Predictive value – Studies have shown PennHIP is the best available predictor of future hip dysplasia development.
- Better breeding decisions – We can select for the tightest hips within our lines, reducing dysplasia prevalence in future generations.
Leonrua’s PennHIP Results
We’re proud to share that several of our dogs score within the tightest 5% of all PennHIP-tested Leonbergers worldwide. This places them in the top tier for hip health globally and reflects our unwavering commitment to producing dogs with structurally sound, healthy joints. These results are not just numbers — they translate into real-world benefits: increased comfort, reduced risk of arthritis, and longer, healthier lives for our dogs and their offspring.
🐾 Elbow Scoring with Lavelle (Australian System)
What is the Lavelle Elbow Scoring System?
For elbow assessments, we use the Lavelle system, which is the standard elbow grading method used in Australia. It was developed by veterinary radiologist Dr. Richard Lavelle and is endorsed by the Australian National Kennel Council (ANKC) and the Australian Veterinary Association (AVA).
This system evaluates radiographs of the elbow joint for signs of:
- Ununited Anconeal Process (UAP)
- Fragmented Coronoid Process (FCP)
- Osteochondritis Dissecans (OCD)
- Elbow Incongruity
- Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD)
Dogs are scored individually on each elbow, and the higher score between the two elbows is recorded as the dog’s final elbow grade:
- 0/0 – No signs of dysplasia (ideal)
- 1 – Mild changes
- 2 – Moderate
- 3 – Severe
At Leonrua, we only breed from dogs that score 0/0, which is the gold standard, helping ensure our puppies have the best possible elbow health.
🔍 Why These Systems Matter for You
Choosing a Leonberger puppy from Leonrua means choosing a breeder committed to the highest standards of health testing. By using PennHIP for hips and Lavelle scoring for elbows, we are able to:
- Detect issues early
- Make informed breeding decisions
- Reduce the risk of joint problems in our lines
- Support long-term health and mobility in our dogs
Our results speak for themselves: multiple Leonrua dogs rank in the lowest 5% of PennHIP distraction indices worldwide — an exceptional outcome that underpins our entire breeding philosophy.
🐕 The Leonrua Health Promise
Our commitment doesn’t stop at joint health. All Leonrua breeding dogs are also:
- N/N (clear) for polyneuropathy (LPN1, LPN2, LPPN3)
- N/N for LEMP (Leukoencephalomyelopathy)
- Screened through PennHIP and Lavelle for joint soundness
- Raised on a nutrient-rich diet including raw meats, fish, fruit and vegetables
- Supplemented with fish oil, glucosamine, chondroitin, and MSM for optimal joint support
We believe that thoughtful, transparent breeding supported by science is the best way to protect the future of this majestic breed.
If you’re considering adding a Leonberger to your family, or just want to learn more about our breeding practices, feel free to get in touch. We’re always happy to talk Leonbergers.
— The Leonrua Team 🐾
