I've never had a dog before and am reading / researching in an attempt to prepare myself. The guidelines on hip score for parents of Labrador puppies seems to be a total of 6, with equal numbers. I have two questions: 1) if either parent has a score of 4/5 (total 9), I should delete these form my (theoretical) wish list? Or in practice, is this as good as it gets, as I'm mostly finding scores higher than this! 2) if a parent has hip score of 3/3 but the test was in 2013, can I assume a current scoring would be a lot worse? Again, should I reject if the scoring was along time ago? Thank for the help! As I say, I've only the knowledge from the books, not practice.
Hello and welcome to the forum. Where in the world are you? In the UK, the BMS (breed median score) for Labradors is 9. So, when researching, you'd want that or lower. Lower obviously better. But, a 4:5 would be far better than an 8:0, as you want hips to be evenly matched. I've just bought a puppy, and found plenty of parents who were 0:0, so they are out there. One of the parents of my pup is 0:0 and the other is 3:3. I could have had a puppy from a litter with both parents 0:0, but I preferred the dam with the higher hip score. As far as older tests, then, yes, it's possible that the scores for that dog will have deteriorated in the meantime, but that would likely be down to environmental issues, and so of less concern to you. You are interested in what will be passed on genetically, so how their hips are without any environmental impact. That part is up to you, as the owner of the puppy. Someone more knowledgeable than me would have to comment on whether a deterioration in hip scores over time is a concern, genetically speaking.
Hi there Elsie, and welcome to the forum. It's great that you are educating yourself prior to getting a puppy. Hip scoring is only done once on a dog in his/her lifetime, generally at around 12 months of age. By that time the hip joints should be fully grown, but still malleable, so they can be easily put into the position for x-ray, but will show any genetic defects (or any caused by accident prior to the test, of course). The reason, as I understand it, that the test is only done once is that it requires a general anesthetic, and of itself is not completely free of risk.
Hi @Karen Is it normal practice for all dogs to be hip scored or just those who people wish to breed from? Thans
Depends where you are living. In the UK, I understand it is normal only to hip score dogs that will be bred from. Where I live, in Germany, most dogs that compete in working tests are routinely hip scored, as well as dogs for breeding. Also, a breeder may well include in the purchase contract for a puppy that the new owners will hip score that pup, so that they can confirm that their breeding strategy is working as well as possible.
I'm umming and aahing about having Luna scored when she's a year old just for peace of mind. I have no plans to breed from her, but it would be good to get a starting picture, so if anything happens later on, we have something to compare with what's normal.
I read this on Hampton vet's website: Q What is the optimum age to get the best possible hip score from my dog/bitch? A. Many breeders have their own opinions but the general consensus between canine orthopaedic specialists is that the best possible score is achievable as soon after 12 months as practicable. If a dog has got excellent hips, destined for a low single figure score then the timing of this x-ray will make little difference. (I have x-rayed 4 and 5 year old dogs with 0:0 hip scores). However if the hips are average or worse than average then the score may be a few points higher several months later. I think it is the case, by the way, that a dog can have a good elbow score at a young age, and for dysplasia to show up later.
Caused by abnormal development with a genetic cause. There are many forms of elbow dysplasia that can't even be detected on x-rays. Some form of cartilage abnormalities don't show up on x-ray and might not cause any symptoms until the dogs is older, and even then might only be seen on a CT scan. Well, so I've heard. From a top vet though.
Is this something you just get done at a normal vet? I'm considering getting Stanley done as we never got them for his parents so it would be nice to perhaps prepare for anything.
Thank you for the advice. It seems that a low hip score (and with equal numbers) is quite important. I've surfed listed breeders on the UK Kennel Club for my area, and the parents' scores are very disappointing. They are un-even numbers and often between 7-12 in total. The only 3/3 that I found , had an elbow score of 2!
Exactly equal isn't necessary, but you don't want it heavily weighted to one side. What area are you looking in? What type of puppy? I didn't have a problem finding plenty of good health scores, it was combining it with my other specific requirements that made it problematic. Maybe try the Champdogs website? You still have to do all your proper due diligence, but you may have more luck looking on there?
OK, so nearly equal numbers is ok, thanks. I'm looking for a black Lab puppy that I can take home at 8 weeks old. Yes, I shall try Champdogs, thank you.
Working, show or pet lines? There are millions of black Labs, you should have no problem at all finding what you're after
Thanks for all the advice, I think I understand the issue now. If the Sire has Hips 2/3 and the Bitch has hips 4/5 this would be acceptable?
It's not for us to say. It's all about the level of risk you are prepared to take. Hip scores are not a guarantee one way or the other. It's all about risk. You need to take the scores for hips into account alongside scores for elbows (which should absolutely be nothing more than zero for both parents). Have you also seen the EBV and COI calculators on the Kennel Club website?
Saba - now seventeen months - is booked in for hip and elbow screening on 17th Feb. Dad was a 0/0 and Mum a 2/0. I'm having Saba screened to satisfy my own curiosity, as his litter were bred for health and temperament, and I'd like to know how he's been affected. Two of his sisters have scores of 2/0 like Mum, so I'm hopeful he has fared as well as the girls. Time will tell!
Hi I have another question! If the sire has elbow score 0/0 but one of the sire's parents has elbow score 0/1 does this mean a genetic risk for the puppy?
