Abstract: Objective: To evaluate the accuracy of dog positioning before total hip replacement (THR) and the influence of experience and dog body condition score (BCS) on positioning accuracy. Methods: 6 experienced THR surgeons and 11 veterinarians without THR experience positioned 4 cadavers (2 each with BCSs of 4/9 and 6/9) for THR 3 times using a vacuum bean bag. Accuracy was evaluated using fluoroscopy in 2 orthogonal planes: the transverse and dorsal planes. Results: Mean positioning error was < 4° in both the transverse and dorsal planes. The mean deviation in the transverse plane for veterinarians with THR experience (3.6°) did not differ from the deviation for veterinarians without experience (3.8°; P = .398). The mean absolute deviation in the dorsal plane for veterinarians with THR experience (3.2°) did not differ from the mean absolute deviation for veterinarians without experience (3.7°; P = .930). Malpositioning > 10° in either plane occurred in 17 of 204 positionings (8%) and did not differ in frequency among experienced and inexperienced veterinarians. No difference in positioning accuracy was noted between cadaver BCS groups. Conclusions: Freehand patient positioning before THR is generally precise and does not appear to improve with additional experience or lean patient BCS. Clinical Relevance: Most dogs positioned using a vacuum bean bag and freehand (nonfluoroscopy guided) positioning are accurately positioned, and positioning errors > 10° occur < 10% of the time. Positioning accuracy may not increase with lean patient BCS or additional experience for veterinary surgeons doing THR.