Hi All,

Is it 'normal' for a pet dog to be hip scored? I want to have the best idea of how Nando's hips are going to be into his later life and he is coming up to 12 months.

I don't have any current plans to stud him as he hasn't been shown or worked.

Josh

If you want to do it and can afford it, then why not? You may have some indication as to whether he may had issues in that area later on in life, and I am sure his breeder will be happy to note the results, which can also be added to any database for others to see.

do you need the scoring or is the vets opinon on xrays sufficient if you were thinking only of prempting later problems?

vets opinions don't necessarily coincide with the panel's opinion, so worth the extra to have a 'real' score and then the whole breed can also benefit :-)

When I bought my first HWHV I was originally just looking for a pet (i.e. no plans to show) and was very interested to have the breeder explain why a score is so useful in what was then a rare breed.

Although I did in the end decide that I wanted to show, and was lucky enough to be given pick boy, I had already decided that I'd get a hip score (for the benefit of the breed, and to help the breeder).  I had this chap scored at 15 months.  My youngest dog of the same breed was scored at 18 months

The elder dog won't be used at stud, the youngest might - depends on a number of factors - but either way I think the score is useful for the breed in general, and for the owner of the dam and sire.  I'm pleased to have the extra health information too, and it's great to know they don't have hip problems waiting in the wings :)

Edited to say: if you go to the trouble of an x ray then do not be persuaded that it's ok not to score them.  Choose a vet experienced in the procedure and get them sent off to the BVA

Thanks for answering my question. Josh I have reconsidered my views and if you can afford it seems a good idea that's one of tje reasons this forum is so good can malke you change your thoughts :)

Personally I would not put a dog through an anasthetic unless absolutly needing it. sad things do happen. if not breeding then i would not be doing it.

was thinking sedation

that is good if your vet wil do with sedation. lots will not.

Most orthopaedic vets will, and they will probably take the best x-rays.

Yes, sedation - and with a vet experienced/known/recommended for this procedure.  You want them to get a good position (i.e. film) in the shortest time.  It's nice when you have a good 'un if they show you what they've got and explain which bits the BVA look at to score the hips.  Some vets can tell you what to expect score wise, others steer clear of guessing, but either way it's good to be able to see the x ray so you can assess if they've got a good clear picture and most vets can tell you if there's likely to be a 'problem'.

My "pet" dog was hip scored when she was just under 4 years old, although she had already been diagnosed with Dysplastic Hips as a puppy and I had no intention of breeding from her because of this, I was interested to know how her scores would compare with my others. She was originally x-rayed when she was 6 months old - too young for the plates to be submitted and it was interesting to see the changes between the two x-rays. As I was taking my younger ones to be x-rayed for scoring I thought I would get her done as well. I must admit that had I not had her then I would probably have been unaware that HD was a problem in my chosen breed as very few are scored before breeding from in the UK. I hear a lot of people say "It is not a problem in our breed". Thankfully more people are beginning to score their dogs and hopefully recognise that it can affect all dogs and is not breed specific!