U.K. Hip Scores on Dogs - Page 1

Can you explain to me the Hip Scores and their ratings. Also, are elbows rated the same way? Dawn Bonome

Hello Dawn. Re: Hip Scores in the UK. The dog/bitch is taken to the vet and X rayed and the X rays are submitted to the an independent body (BVA) this usually takes between two and six weeks for the score to come back to the owner via the vet. This is the same with the elbows. The scoring for hips range between 0-106, 106 being the highest (52 max each hip). Elbows are graded 0-3. I cannot remember off hand what the current average for hips for the GSD is at the moment but think it is somewhere between the range of 17-19 total. Most breeders that I speak to like the scores to be in single figures or lower teens. In recent times it is becoming more popular for some of the Brits to send their X rays to Germany for the A Stamp, and doing so some breeders only use the German Scheme, other breeders use both schemes on their dogs, and some just use the British scheme. It is personal preference. The price of hip scores varies from vet to vet, from around £90 to £250 I have heard, if the owner wishes to have both schemes done then two sets of X rays have to be taken as they differ from the British Scheme and the German Scheme and of course twice the price, lol! Hope that is of some help. Regards Sting

Sting, I heard from a reliable source that the BVA hip rating scheme was much more specific and descriptive than the OFA system and even more so than the SV. When this very detailed BVA scheme is carefully integrated into the UK kennel breeding such that an great effort is made to breed the best hips to the best, has this been shown to increase the incidence of clean hips while reducing the incidence of displastic hips? It has been shown that selecting clean hips by OFA standrads does do both and even more so if one uses the OFA standards for elbows (unclean elbows tend to be more genetically potent for bad than hips, according to research. It would be very interesting to know about the history of how these BVA strict rankings were set up when the system was instituted, what was hoped for and if such was obtained. Do you know of anything that has been published about this?

Sting, Thanks for the info. I have always wondered about this, and you have explained it very efficiently. Have a great day!!! Dawn

Preston I believe the BVA scheme has improved the standards in the UK for those reputable breeders wishing to use it. However, sadly, not all breeders are reputable and the Kennel Club do not insist on good hip scores as a basic requirement for registering a litter. In fact, they do not insist on any score at all. Until the kennel club refuse registration for unscored dogs or dogs with scores above a certain level then it is not going to be completely effective.

Preston Hope this helps..http://www.gsdleague.co.uk/hd.htm

I agree with Deb29 statement, unfortunately any animal can be bred from with high hips or no hip score at all. To Preston: The British system is a very good system in my opinion, but not really helpful these days on stud dogs or particular lines with poor hips behind. If a dog is producing high scores there used to be averages on stud dogs progeny printed that was easy to access as a guide but no more I am afraid. Regarding elbows, we are a little behind as the breeders that X Ray elbows are few but this seems to be coming more popular. I am not sure of any publications that you asked about but I am sure there will be lots of information via the net out there. One thing of interest a few months ago, many breeders in the UK were sent sample swabs by the Kennel Club to extract DNA from hip scored animals, in hopes of developing a predisposition test for Canine Hip Displasia (CHD). The KC have suggested that by comparing the DNA from dogs with healthy hips with those who have CHD, they will be able to determine the genes that are responsible. They acknowledged they couldnt tell us about our own dogs, but to develop a test in future would be of great benefit to us all particually if successful, to help prevent what can be such a debilitating condition. Is there currently any research/studies going on outside of the UK? Regards. Sting.

Joyce and Sting, thanks for the information. It looks like the BVA scheme is the world's best so far for hips. But its effectiveness still is mitigated by the breeders in the UK being willing to institute it in their breeding plans. Apparently in the UK and the USA, breeding for good hips is still not done by the majority, therefore limiting the impact of the BVA and OFA systems, except for those breeders who are commited to establishing and maintaning good joint health in their puppies (thes folks are wort their weight in gold). The OFA makes a big deal out of the concept pedigree depth of the ancestors hips statuses as a factor in reducing or increasing hip dysplasia. I think there are some exceptions to this, as one examines the dominant hip producing ability of Esko Danischen Hof, who apparently had dominance in pedigree depth for clean hips only thru his dam lines.