I know this has been discussed before but cannot find the thread. My young girl is just over 12 months and I don't normally score until nearer 18 months but we will be leaving the country in a few months time so would like to have her hip scored sooner rather than later. However, she hasn't had a season yet but I reckon it is imminent. Is there a reason why you wouldn't hip score while in season?

I have been told, by several experienced breeders in different countries, that it there is more laxity in the joints when a dog is in season but have absolutely no idea if this true or not! :-)

I think this was a thread that I asked somewhere too.  I was told by my vet at a big vet hospital that it didnt normally make any difference. However as a bitch secretes the same hormones after a season as they do if they are pregnant and those hormones (relaxin?) increase the flexibility of the hip joints as they do in humans, I played safe and had her done three months after her season.  You only get one shot at the xrays and I just wanted to stack all the odds in my favour as I couldnt be sure whether the season made any difference.

> I have been told, by several experienced breeders in different countries, that it there is more laxity in the joints when a dog is in season but have absolutely no idea if this true or not! :-)

We asked Steve Dean this question once, before he was so elevated! He said yes, it was true so we always try to avoid having the X rays done round about season time.

Misty had been out of full flown heat for a week (was still attracting lots of admirers though) when she was hip scored.  Lots of people in the waiting room at Marilyn's told us we were mad, we shouldn't do it, she'll have an awful score.  Well the result was 0:0 so for us no difference....

I wouldnt have her done until after her season  for the reasons already given  How close do you think this lovely girl is to her season?

Well she is 12 1/2 months old and technically could be any day. Mine normally go about 7-8 months old. She is acting very giddy and actually did a 'runner' on us the other day and was just not listening so I am putting it down to hormones and giving her the benefit of the doubt. My boy (her father) is not interested in her but then again he is a well behaved boy around girls anyway so I wouldn't expect him to be interested unless about 7-8 days in season so he is no help!. I am trying to hold off for as long as possible and may have to discuss the Vet I use sending me the scores on and me pay the extra postage. Thanks for your comments as obviously I want the chance of the best score possible.