Hello, I’ve been searching all over the internet but can’t find a clear answer and was wondering if someone could help me? We’re looking to buy a Labrador puppy in the summer. I’ve been in contact with a lady who has bred her first litter, she shared the hip scores of both parents and these were the results: Dad 4/4 Mum 9/10 Would the mums score be too high? We have no intention of breeding from our dog, regardless of this I would still want to try and ensure they were of tiptop health. Any advice would be gratefully received. Many thanks, Penny
Hi @Penny123 If I were you I would keep looking. Although lower scores do not guarantee no problems, the odds move in your favour the lower the score. You want lower hip scores than that of the mother. You should also get elbow scores. As you suggest set aside the point that you are not looking to breed from the dog. You want to avoid problems in your dog, even if she has no litter. I can't see from my mobile whether you have entered your country of residence. It would be useful to know the average scores of dogs in your country. Are you doing a lot better than the average or just marginally better?
Those scores are too high. The median average for the breed is 9 (which is the total of both left and right together) - so dad is 8 and mum is 19, there, which is way over average. Whilst I think a couple points over average for a bitch isn't awful if bred to a dog with a good low score, 19 really is a bit too high. And breeding her to a dog with a score of 8, isn't great either - since he's about average - really the only way you could justify that, is to breed to a dog with 0/0 and also a low EBV (see below for that). When looking at things like this, it is also worth using Mate Select's EBV tool to look at her entire pedigree risk of hip dysplasia. Firstly do take a look at Mate Select as a whole because it has loads of useful tools: https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/services/public/mateselect/ Second, for the EBV in particular, go here and put in mum or dad's KC reg name: https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/services/public/mateselect/ebv/Default.aspx?breed=2048 What you ideally want to see, in the little graph that comes up (the green and red thing), is that the black blob is in the green (basically) for hips and elbows. What this is telling you, is it's looking at the hip scores (and elbow scores) of all the dogs BEHIND the dog concerned and then calculating the genetic risk for hip dysplasia. This is different to the individual dog's score. For example, my lab has a hip score of 4/5 - or 9. Which is bang on average. But her EBV is 21, so it's slightly into the red. For this reason, she will be bred to a dog (if all goes according to plan) with a score of 2/2 = 4 whose EBV is -90 (incredibly low) and who's already produced 5 progeny with 0/0 hips. (Of course hips are not the only basis on which we chose the dog, just one factor of many!) That gives you an example of how knowledgeable breeders use the tools of Mate Select...
Hi all, This is my first post. We have been waiting for a puppy for a while and have been talking to registered breeders. One of the Australian Champion breeders now had a litter and I would like to get your advice on hip score: Both parents have been hip and elbow xrayed and DNA tested for PRA and EIC (as well as a number of other genetic diseases). - Dam’s health clearances are hips 3:6, elbows 0:0 and PRA, EIC and HNPK clear. - Sire’s health clearances are hips 2:2, elbows 0:1, PRA: Clear, EIC: Clear, HNPK: Carrier. What are your thoughts on this? We have read other threads saying hip score up to average of 9 is OK. Looking for some advice & guidance.
I’m no expert but they look good to me. I would also go onto the kennel club website and check the COI is at the recommended level(You need names of Mum and Dad for this)
