Could any one explaim the hip scoring system for dogs that are prone to hip displacement, I am looking for a Newfie Pup and notice the figure is often quoted by breeders but am not sure what is good or bad or how reliable it is......Thanx Al

Hi Alan
If you go onto health board page two there is a thread named health tests (hips) on this thread there is a link to the bva explaining the procedure

Alison

Thanks Alison....

Found the info; I should of looked harder before posting :-))) If I have it correct then Ideally Mum and Dad should be lower than 28 points each for a Newfie pup. Hope I have it right

Regards.... Al

Alan,

Assuming you're referring to 28 as the breed mean score shown on the BVA site (sorry, feeling too lazy to check today!), then yes both parents should be lower than this.

However, if I were looking for a puppy in a breed with this serious a hip problem, I would be looking for them to be substantially lower than this - would stress that I don't know if this is realistic, as am not up enough on Newf specific hips, but I would be hoping personally for a litter with both parents scoring under 15 as an absolute minimum, and hopefully one under 10. I'm sure if this is completely unrealistic for the breed, someone will be along to tell us shortly.

My other half is actually very keen on Newfs - if we do ever buy a puppy, I will be looking at past hip scores (I have these in a KC published booklet), but you can pay the KC for a list of all scored dogs - I will then look at breeders and/or stud dogs who are consistently producing scores well below the mean score of 28. Then you can tie this in with looking at 'type' (i.e. whether you like the way they look) and of course temperament.

Big decision buying this big a dog, and there are many health risks and a reasonably short life expectancy inherent in the breed - well worth taking the time and effort to find the healthiest possible puppy. Rather wait a year and get a good 'un :D.

Hope that helps,
Marina

Thanks Marina your input is much appreciated and yes I will wait for the right pup to come along :-)

Regards.... Al

It is actually the 5th worst score and is rising! There are problems on two fronts. One is finding stud dogs with very good hips and the other is avoiding damage to the hips. Newfies are big dogs, consequently there is a lot of weight on young bones. This is exacerbated (in my opinion) by the feeding of high growth foods. The rush to "Body Up" a puppy to get it into the ring does not help. (Again my opinion).

The problem then is, are the hips of the stud dogs inherited or accidental damage? Almost impossible to know! Accidental damage will not be passed on but inherited could well be.

What’s the answer? Food manufactures? Show people? Breed standard? Show judges? The KC? I really don’t know! Maybe as a discussion point dogs should not be shown until a year old to give time to bulk up slowly??? Should the Junior Warrant be scraped??

Regards, John

Cheers Guys, I am now up to speed on Hip's and Newf's.... Guess I had better take out the health insurance this time around :-)

Alan