Why hip score?

The breed hip score is currently at 13. This means that breeding is only recommended for dogs and bitches who are hip scored 13 or below (the lower the better). It is up to each individual breeder how high they are prepared to go (usually depending on a particular animal's other attributes) and it is worth asking for and being provided with proof for each parent. A breeder saying their dog/bitch has been hip scored does not mean the scores were good! Below is an example of what you should be shown, the original sheet will be green and is always given to the owner. Example of a hip score sheet

The hip score is done like any other normal x-ray that a dog would have, under anesthetic or some Vets will do it under sedation - this is more risky as the x-rays have to be perfect. The x-rays are then sent to a panel of the British Veterinary Association (working with the Kennel Club) for assessment and grading. Each hip is assessed seperately and points are added for faults according to the panel. The more faults, the more points, the higher the score, the worse the hip.

Hip dysplacia as it is known, is when the hip joint (ball and socket) do not function correctly. Sometimes the ball has flat edges which causes grinding and is very painful for the animal, any suspected cases of hip dysplacia should be investigated by your Veterinary Surgeon for severity.

Although hip dysplacia is said to be a hereditary condition and passed on from the parent(s)/ancestors, over-exercise as a puppy will greatly influence its severity and treatment. During a puppy's growing stages, it should be walked for a short time, play should not be rough and definitely no running up and down steps and stairs.

In some dog's pedigrees you can have a line of dogs with excellent results that go back to one bad hip score and suddenly a puppy arrives with a bad score after several generations. Nothing is guaranteed but a respectable breeder will do their best to make sure they only breed from the best of the breed.

I've seen so many people in agility who have spent two years training their dog up to competition level only to find its not up to the job as it keeps going lame. This is because they didn't bother to check out any health tests or weren't interested. There are too many people out there calling themselves breeders with no regard to their dogs' or prospective owner's feelings or welfare - please be careful!