Can anyone explain what the hip score of labradors is, how it is calculated and what the most desirable score is?

Thanks.

Hi Guest

The most desireable score for any breed is RH0/LH0 = 0
The least desireable score for any breed is RH53/LH53 - 106

The hip is x-rayed and then scored by a panel of experts looking at different parts of the joint
Hip Joint                      Score Range (left and right hips scored individually)
Norberg Angle                  0-6
Subluxation                     0-6
Cranial acetabular edge     0-6
Dorsal acetabular edge      0-6
Cranial effective acetabular rim  0-6
Acetabular fossa                     0-6
Caudal acetabular edge            0-5
Femoral head/neck exostosis     0-6
Femoral head recountouring      0-6

You cannot tell a dog's hip status by looking at it, it needs to be x-rayed as some very fit dogs with very bad hips show no signs when young as their muscles and ligaments take over

One of our Labrador experts will be able to tell you the breed mean score or if you do a "search" using the link above you will be able to find it as it has been mentioned recently

The breed average for labs is a little under 16 (combination of the two hips combined) although I believe that the average score for dogs whelped in 2001 was nearer 13 (so the average seems to be improving).

The general concensus seems to be to breed from dogs that have a score that is better than the breed average. This is a reasonable enough guide but unfortunately the more information you have the more it seems to get harder! Some dogs with low scores regularly throw poor hips and vice versa. I have heard of pups from the same litter being kept by the same person having wildly different hip scores (where both parents had low scores). The Labrador Retriever Club publishes data on the scores of progeny from each stud dog on a yearly basis. (Some Labrador studs can have over a hundred of their progeny scored!)

My advice would be to make sure your chosen breeder is making some effort where hips are concerned and has knowledge of the scores of the grandparents of the pups as well, then move on to focussing on what you really want the dog for! i.e has the dog been bred for the purposes you are desiring (work / show / pet / combination). I would personally much prefer to have a pup from slightly higher scored stock that is producing exactly what I am looking for than "scrap" that happens to have a 0/0 score!

Oh dont forget clear eye tests either!