Hips and OFA
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This is how the OFA grades hips. https://www.ofa.org/diseases/hip-dysplasia
While genetics might be only one part of hip dysplasia, in my opinion, a Fair rating is the lowest acceptable rating for breeding, unless a Borderline dog brings something really exceptional in another area to the table, and dysplastic dogs shouldn't be bred.
While genetics might be only one part of hip dysplasia, in my opinion, a Fair rating is the lowest acceptable rating for breeding, unless a Borderline dog brings something really exceptional in another area to the table, and dysplastic dogs shouldn't be bred.
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And you can also have the xrays examined by an ortho vet that will give you an honest 2nd opinion. If the xrays are poor quality / taken incorrectly the ofa would reflect a poor rating instead of dismissing the xrays.
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I would absolutely not get a pup from a breeding where either parent was less than "fair." From a "fair" dam or sire I'd like to see some mitigating factor as well, like if they had a history of producing "good" or "excellent" pups in previous breedings.
Just getting a good OFA score isn't enough to make a dog worth breeding, though. It's more of a potential disqualifier than a potential qualifier, if that makes sense. Same things with eyes, heart, etc. - don't breed a dog that doesn't pass, but don't breed a dog just because it DOES pass the exams, either. For me temperament and ability are the really important things.
Just getting a good OFA score isn't enough to make a dog worth breeding, though. It's more of a potential disqualifier than a potential qualifier, if that makes sense. Same things with eyes, heart, etc. - don't breed a dog that doesn't pass, but don't breed a dog just because it DOES pass the exams, either. For me temperament and ability are the really important things.
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OFA fair means the dog is not dysplastic.
It is not the greatest rating but positioning is king and a LOT of vets take poor photos.
For German Shepherds you can also have the SV in Germany rate the hips after the dog turns 1 and I have had xrays sent to the SV (I go through the United Schutzhund Clubs of America). They stamp the dog's official pedigree. We do elbows too and the SV now also checks the lumbar spine and writes up their thoughts. The desirable thing is an "A-Stamp." My last dog was OFA good. My current dog has his A stamp with hips and lumbar spine clear/ok.
I will tell you this. If I had a great dog (solid nerves, good temperament, strong drives) that was OFA fair or Nach Zuglassen (similar to OFA fair) I would still breed the dog to an OFA Good or Excellent mate or one with its A stamp from the SV. No one wants a dysplastic dog (although there are many dysplastic dogs that still compete and do fine so there is that) but worse than a dog with mild dysplasia is a dog with poor temperament, weak nerve and no drive. I know of a few dogs that are dysplastic in one hip or both of are OFA Fair or Nach Zuglassen that have competed well, never took a lame step and are still going strong at age 10 or more.
OTOH I have know dogs with very correct conformation and OFA excellent hips that have poor temperaments, weak nerve and who are skittish that have been euthanized at a year old for being unstable and a bite risk or severely dog aggressive.
Look at the whole picture when buying a dog, not just one aspect. JMO.
It is not the greatest rating but positioning is king and a LOT of vets take poor photos.
For German Shepherds you can also have the SV in Germany rate the hips after the dog turns 1 and I have had xrays sent to the SV (I go through the United Schutzhund Clubs of America). They stamp the dog's official pedigree. We do elbows too and the SV now also checks the lumbar spine and writes up their thoughts. The desirable thing is an "A-Stamp." My last dog was OFA good. My current dog has his A stamp with hips and lumbar spine clear/ok.
I will tell you this. If I had a great dog (solid nerves, good temperament, strong drives) that was OFA fair or Nach Zuglassen (similar to OFA fair) I would still breed the dog to an OFA Good or Excellent mate or one with its A stamp from the SV. No one wants a dysplastic dog (although there are many dysplastic dogs that still compete and do fine so there is that) but worse than a dog with mild dysplasia is a dog with poor temperament, weak nerve and no drive. I know of a few dogs that are dysplastic in one hip or both of are OFA Fair or Nach Zuglassen that have competed well, never took a lame step and are still going strong at age 10 or more.
OTOH I have know dogs with very correct conformation and OFA excellent hips that have poor temperaments, weak nerve and who are skittish that have been euthanized at a year old for being unstable and a bite risk or severely dog aggressive.
Look at the whole picture when buying a dog, not just one aspect. JMO.
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"What does OFA certification mean?" According to the OFA there are 7 grades https://www.ofa.org/diseases/hip-dysplasia
/grades
Depending on the severity (obviously) of the grade it also recommended that a dog not be bred to another with the same genetic fault. Of course the purpose of breeding is to IMPROVE each successive generation of that line. Which would mean (the desire) to eliminate the fault to the best of one's ability, in terms of lineage.
p.s. - Significant Hip Dysplasia can be a VERY expensive medical condition, and if labeled a pre-existing condition may not be covered by pet insurance.
/grades
Depending on the severity (obviously) of the grade it also recommended that a dog not be bred to another with the same genetic fault. Of course the purpose of breeding is to IMPROVE each successive generation of that line. Which would mean (the desire) to eliminate the fault to the best of one's ability, in terms of lineage.
p.s. - Significant Hip Dysplasia can be a VERY expensive medical condition, and if labeled a pre-existing condition may not be covered by pet insurance.
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