What does this mean? My dog is getting an X-ray done next week to see if his hips are OK to work in the police force...but what will they be looking for? What is a score, and what is bad and what is good etc?!
2007-03-07 08:45:58 · 10 answers · asked by Anon 4 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Go to the OFA site and look for a description.
Better yet here is a site with x-ray examples
2007-03-07 08:52:55 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
The average hip score for a German Shepherd Dog is 19. The scores range from 0 (the lowest and best score) to 106 (the worst). Each hip is scored out of 53 and then you add the right hip score to the left to get your total. The British Veterinary Association are responsible for scoring hips, and much information about the scheme can be found on their website at the following link :-
http://www.bva.co.uk/public/chs/hip_scheme.asp
2007-03-09 06:14:15 · answer #2 · answered by Kennel Club Experts 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
A hip score is basically to check whether or not your dog may be prone to hip displacer, the higher the score the greater the chance of this happening, the lower the score the better. It also means that if you get a high hip score he prob won't be used for mating. We had a German Shepherd ***** with a very high score and she is now 13 with no probs. don't worry too much, surely whatever the outcome he will be loved regardless.
2007-03-07 16:57:01 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Only specialist vets normally undertake hip scores. They will examine the dog for movement and stability through both hips.
Work in the police is strenuous for dogs as you can imagine, so they have to be at peak fitness. Any inherited breed weaknesses will show up during hip score.
You will want the best for your dog, whatever it does during it's life, so getting this score and making the right decisions is crucial. Good luck.
2007-03-07 17:17:41 · answer #4 · answered by Maverick 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is a measure for hip displaysia. You will often see breeding dogs listed as OFA excellent or a similar rating. OFA is the agancy that monitors the training of vets that rate for hip displaysia.
Hip displaysia is a genetic condition in which the hip joints don't come together as they should. It causes the hips to come out of joint easily and is very painful. It is very common in GSDs, labs and other dogs, especially the larger, heavier dogs. (Perhaps it is just not as big a deal with small breed dogs, since they carry less weight.)
Especially for a police dog, the quality of the hips will be very important because of all the stress caused by training them (and using them) to jump, run and capture criminals. You wouldn't want them to be hurt jumping over a fence while in hot pursuit!
Good luck I hope your dog passes with honors!
2007-03-07 17:01:41 · answer #5 · answered by Robin D 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They will take the x-ray and look to see if the top of the leg bone fits securly into the hip pelvic area. They will then look at the amount of space there is between the 2 areas. Then they will determine if the space is just right, too much ect...
If they are to grade the hips they are usually given a grade of excellent, very good, good, poor, very poor.
I would think that an grading of excellent to good would send your dog on his way to boot camp!
2007-03-07 16:53:51 · answer #6 · answered by ♥Golden gal♥ 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
This site will tell you all you need to know. The police will want to make sure that your dog is physically good enough to withstand the vigorous exercise he will be expected to undertake.
http://www.bva.co.uk/public/chs/hip_scheme.asp
2007-03-07 17:45:03 · answer #7 · answered by anwen55 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
German Shepherds are notorious for developing hip displasia, a form of arthritis in the hips.
Even tests will never really show they wont develop this, since my first German Shepherd of 13, back in 1969, that I've owned and trained and bred across my lifetime, was cleared of it and yet went on to die of it, along with cancer, at age eleven years.
She was so well trained and so obedient to me, since they are a 'one man/woman' dog, that when she was put down because her case was hopeless... I ran from the room in distress and sat in the waiting room, leaving my ex husband there to wait for her to die... suddenly, only seconds after I sat down, I felt Firn rush to my heel, sit beside me, and lean against my left leg... I fled in tears of fear and have hated myself ever since.
I was then an unwilling psychic medium... took me half a lifetime to overcome my fear... so Firn, sunshine... forgive my cowardice:-)
I was once offered a thousand pounds for her by a total stranger who stopped his sports car to admire her... I refused... though poor and with five children to feed... and she went on to produce a crufts champion from her litters.
Still my best and favourite babe:-)
no spell check
2007-03-07 16:58:17 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Not sure what they look for , but the lower the number the better. I think it may be play/gaps in the joints that is a problem.Best breed on earth anyway!!
2007-03-07 16:52:38 · answer #9 · answered by LordLogic 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This website seems to explain it pretty well, sorry I couldnt explain it myself but I'm not an expert on it.
http://www.offa.org/hipgrade.html
http://www.goldendoodles.com/hd_mini_tutorial.htm
2007-03-07 16:55:56 · answer #10 · answered by desprtemeasres 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋