Hi All, just a quick question. Does hip scoring at an early age give a good reflection on what a dogs hips would be around the age of 18 months- two years. I took two dogs to be x-rayed one two years old and out of curiousity had my 12 month old done also! When looking at the x-rays although both good, the younger ones were very good! Do I send it off now to be scored by the BVA or do I wait? Not sure what to do for the best.

I generally get my dogs done between seasons after they are twelve months old. I would not have thought hips are likely to improve with age and may lose a couple of points. The oldest bitch I had done was nearly 8 years and her score was 3:5. Unless it is due to traumaor degeneration due to arthritis I can't see how age will make much difference?

Christine

They do say that if you score a dog at 2-3 the dog has stopped growing and you get a true score. If the dog is scored early it wont have bone wear and will have a better score.
I had mine all scored different.
My first dog was done at 13 months score of 9
My second dog was done at 12 months score of 1
My girl were done one at 19 months and score of 5
My other girl done at 22 months and score of 6

I would say 12-18 months is just right :-)
Nutkin

The guide line for hip scoring is 1 year, but I was told by a vet that different breeds are thought to have a better score when x-rayed at two years rather than one year. Flatcoats being one such breed. I have all mine scored and have found I do indeed get better scores when they are two years old or over.
Rosebud for example was four when x-rayed she scored 2 - 3 =5 Sally was three she scored 0 - 0 = 0
Lucinda done at three years was 4 - 5 = 9 Trefor x-rayed at three 4 -4 =8 Then I had Darnel at 1 year and one day 8 -8 =16, Sophie x-rayed at 1 year and two months 11 - 18 =29! I agree with Christine, that if the dog is x-rayed at 2 years or more you get a true score, except where there is trauma damage or degenerative damage as in arthritus.
I have also been told that with bitches it is best to score them mid way between seasons as they can get a worse score nearer to, or just after a season.

hi krys......go to the OFA site there is an interesting article..in issue three of the advocate...entitled''reliability of early prelims''.they are in the process of doing one on elbows..i'm not sure how it would apply to your system...but i really do think we[usa] are the global standard for orthopedics....the database we have is unreal.....try typing''ch.ridge view bugs bunny''[the father of my current litter ]in the search it will tell all about everyone of the relatives...its fascinating