Is Your Dog Too Flexible? - Understanding Canine Hypermobility

Does your dog have poor balance and coordination, stretchy skin or run like Woody from Toy Story? While this can be comical to watch have you ever wondered if this is a good thing? And what about sporting dogs that you see in the flyball lanes or on an agility course that exhibit immense hindlimb extension when jumping and excessive flexion through the turns? Have you ever wondered if this extreme flexibility is too much?

While it might look impressive or quirky, these traits can be symptoms of canine hypermobility. Identifying and understanding this condition is the first step toward protecting your dog’s long-term mobility and comfort. Here is what every dog owner needs to know.

What is Canine Hypermobility?

Canine hypermobility is a heritable disorder where a dog’s joints move far beyond their normal, healthy range due to lax ligaments and connective tissue. It ranges from mild joint laxity to severe abnormal collagen formation known as Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS). While rare, EDS is a group of inherited connective tissue disorders that affect collagen formation, leading to joint instability, chronic pain, stretchy skin, fragile tissues, and increased risk of injury.

For the "clumsy" dog, that "Woody" gait may be associated with joint instability, altered proprioception (the body's ability to sense its position) and muscle weakness . For the sporting dog, that excessive extension and flexibility come at a high price. These dogs often struggle to build or maintain muscle mass, fatigue quicker, and are at a much higher risk for chronic pain, frequent soft tissue injuries, and early-onset arthritis . Ultimately, what looks like an advantage in the agility ring may be a condition requiring careful management to protect the dog's long-term mobility .

Common Symptoms

While it can be very difficult to diagnose hypermobility there are a range of signs that you can look out for:

• Joint Laxity: joints that appear to "give way", intermittent lameness, stiffness, increased range of movement, increased rotation of the paws, shoulders, or hips, and unusual resting positions i.e.“spatchcock” (lying with hips abducted, and belly flat to the floor).

• Skin elasticity: very stretchy or fragile skin, which may result in frequent cuts, bruising, and abnormal scarring. You might notice "rolling" skin on their flanks or droopy bottom eyelids.

• Delayed Healing: small cuts and minor soft tissue injuries may take longer to heal than normal.

• Disrupted Proprioception: due to muscle weakness, these dogs often appear uncoordinated or clumsy.

• Chronic Fatigue: This is especially true for sporting dogs, who may struggle to build muscle mass, lose condition quickly, and take longer to recover from work.

Behaviour – The Surprising Link

Research suggests that hypermobility may influence more than just a dog's physical health. In people, hypermobility has been linked to anxiety and increased emotional arousal, and researchers believe changes in the autonomic nervous system may play a role. Some research suggests similar patterns may exist in dogs, although the exact mechanisms are not yet fully understood.

A study involving over 5,500 assistance dogs found that those with greater hip joint hypermobility tended to score higher for excitability , suggesting a link between joint laxity and emotional arousal (Bowen et al., 2019). The same study also found a small association between hypermobility and aggression toward other dogs within the same household .

These findings suggest that hypermobility may have behavioural as well as physical effects, although hypermobility alone does not cause anxiety or aggression and is likely to be only one factor among many that influence behaviour. However, some hypermobile dogs may also show behavioural patterns such as:

• Difficulty Settling: They may struggle to "switch off" or find it hard to calm down after an exciting event .

• Intense Reactions: They often react more intensely to their surroundings than other dogs .

• Mistaken Hyperactivity: Because joint instability and muscle fatigue make it tiring to maintain a steady posture, these dogs may prefer short bursts of movement . This restlessness or pacing (often an attempt to find a comfortable position) can be easily mistaken for high energy or a lack of training .

• Sensitivity to touch – Your dog might be very sensitive to touch in certain areas, be very reluctant to be groomed or have a harness put on.

Hypermobility and Pain

It is a common misconception that a dog in pain will always slow down . For hypermobile dogs, discomfort can lead to increased activity, fidgeting, or restlessness . When a dog appears hyperactive or unable to settle, it is crucial to assess their physical wellbeing alongside their behaviour, as the root cause may be musculoskeletal rather than purely psychological .

Managing Your Dog’s Hypermobility

If you suspect your dog is hypermobile, consult with your veterinarian first. They can help rule out other genetic disorders and create a management plan to keep your dog comfortable and active.

There are also several early interventions that you can put into place to support your hypermobile dog:

• Conditioning is Key: The goal is "condition, condition, condition". Focus on gait re-education and core control to provide stability to loose joints. Low-impact strength training, guided by a canine physiotherapist, is excellent for building supportive muscle.

• The Golden Rule: NEVER STRETCH. While it might seem helpful for a "stiff" dog, stretching can further damage the already unstable connective tissues in a hypermobile dog.

• Weight Management: Keeping your dog at a lean, healthy weight is crucial to reduce the load on their unstable joints.

• Home adaptations: Modify your environment with non-slip rugs to prevent falls and use ramps for vehicles or furniture to avoid the impact of jumping. Provide orthopaedic bedding to support their joints during rest and limit the use of stairs.

• Lifestyle Adjustments: High-impact activities such as agility, flyball or repetitive jumping may need to be modified or carefully managed depending on the severity of your dog's condition.

Conclusion

Canine hypermobility is often overlooked because flexibility is frequently mistaken for athleticism, clumsiness, or simply an individual quirk. However, excessive joint laxity can affect far more than movement. It can influence a dog's comfort, confidence, performance, and overall quality of life. Early recognition and appropriate management can make a significant difference. With veterinary guidance, targeted conditioning, and sensible lifestyle adjustments, many hypermobile dogs can remain active, happy, and comfortable for years to come.

Disclaimer

This article is intended for educational and informational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for veterinary advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The signs and behaviours described may be associated with canine hypermobility but can also occur with a variety of other medical or behavioural conditions.

If you have concerns about your dog's health, mobility, pain levels, or behaviour, please seek advice from your veterinary surgeon. In the United Kingdom, only a veterinary surgeon registered with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) can diagnose disease, prescribe medication, and make clinical decisions regarding your dog's care.

References

• Bowen et al.(2019). First evidence for an association between joint hypermobility and excitability in a non-human species, the domestic dog. Scientific Reports, 9, 8629.

• Hypermobility in dogs - https://www.winclinic.co.uk/post/hypermobility-in-dogs

• Live webinar: Hypermobility in dogs - what are the facts and how can rehab help? Provided by SVPS Education & Lead by Amy Kings - Veterinary physiotherapist, Win Clinic (25^th Aug 2023)