I know nothing about the way hip scores are recorded so this may be a daft question. Before our springer chose us to come and live with us, we were told to make sure the the parents were eye and hip tested, amongst other things which we did, but no one said to ask about grandparents etc, which we didn't, although we did see granny, so would it be possible for both parents to have good scores but still have problems because the faulty gene was still lurking in one or both parents only to show up generations later?

Robert

The more of the ancestors that have good scores the better the chances but unfortunately hips are not an exact science. My friend put a 0/1 bitch to a 0/0 dog both with low scoring ancestors for several generations, and produces a litter with several high scoring puppies including a 29! Something just did not gel!

As I've said before, so much with hips can just as easily be inflicted damage rather that inherited damage that really, the only thing you know for sure is the state of the hips of the dog who has been scored. With the next generation you will only know after they have been born and possibly scored.

It is a case of trying your hardest to produce the best you can.

Best wishes, John