Hip testing methods

    • Gold Top Dog

    Hip testing methods

     

    I have been researching breeders, and so have learned more about hip testing for dysplasia, and found that along with OFA there is also the PennHip method. My vet isn't a fan of it. But we have been looking at Boerboels and Bullmastiffs, and found that almost all have PennHip ratings instead of OFA's. It is supposed to pick up changes as early as 16 weeks, although the one breeder we are looking at had his done at 1 year. As for the others, I haven't gone back and checked ages of testing at this point. i would love to hear your thoughts on this, and if anyone has any real familiarity with the PennHip method. It seems that if we go with one of these breeds who have mostly gone in that direction, we will have to accept it if we want to buy a dog of that breed. julie
    • Gold Top Dog

    Honestly I think the PennHIP is better, but OFA is more common so in some ways more important (has a searchable database).  GSDs now need a-stamps from the SV, which is different as well.

    I had Nikon prelimed at 7 months.  The vet who took and red his rads started PennHIP and has been on the OFA panel so I did not submit to either organization since it was only a prelim and he's more qualified to give me a prediction anyway.