Please read attached documents that I have received from a veterinary.
(to be able to read text pls click View full size image)
My interpretation of information I have been given is:
“The dog is hip scored with excellent result below cut off”
I say that the sum “only” is a false instrument and not to listen to.
The cut off score of the hips & elbows is different from breed to breed.
Breed clubs looks at average and then strive to get a lower cut off.
Most shepherd clubs have 20-25 as cut off score for hips.
Those clubs that has set a elbow cut off has a no higher than 2.
Many clubs do not let dogs of higher score to be registered; the local Canine Councils and Kennel Clubs accept all dogs to be registered no matter score.
It is preferable to let all dogs register in the aim to have for full control.
It is false to say that a dog under 20-25 is OK for breeding.
You have to look at what the breakdown of this sum comes from.
If any of angles measured is 3 or higher or uneven from side to side.
A dog that scores under 20-25 could be bad to breed from.
The hip score sum is only a part in the hip score reading.
The hip score reader does also mark the dog on the Australian grade/International grade, 0 – 3 / A-C is the wanted result.
The higher this scale shows then there is angles with too high score or uneven.
The grading is done on the hip with worst result and not the overall result.
It reflects too high individual angles and if uneven.
Elbows, result has not been looked at for so many years and the breakpoint is set to no more than 2.
So a dog with low sum could still be a dog not good for breeding.
Some clubs have a rule that allows elderly dog that has never been hip scored to be used without getting scored because risks with anaesthetics.
This should ONLY be for dogs with known pedigree where you can see that there are no bad lines of hips or elbows.
To breed with a not hip scored elderly dog is not recommended unless you have hip and elbow results from his parents and grandparents and siblings and can calculate that he is a good dog to use.
Some clubs has their rules set so a bitch under 25 and with high angles and uneven can still be bred to a old not hip scored dog with no known score history! To know the history is also insurance since it does happen that bitches of good score can throw one bad pup or a bad litter and then it is often from lines backwards and this bitch just happened to be free but is still carrying the bad!
A bitch with good elbow score can carry a full line of bad elbows behind her-she was just lucky not to get this result and this bitch is only to be bred to dogs with known and excellent elbows!
The sum of the hips is NOT the full result and should NOT be looked at!
The recommendation of hips & elbows should look like this:
Sum of hips under 20-25
No individual hip angle more than 3.
No elbows more than 2.
All above is reflected in the Australian/international Grade!
So look for dogs that have no more than 3/C in the Australian/International grade since this is the much better instrument than a below 25.
Many breeders stare at the sum of the score and do not know full pedigree, with information of inherited sickness, exterior faults and mental health.
Breeding is like having a giant jigsaw puzzle and not just one dog of score below 20-25!
Pls add your comments since all knowledge in this matter is wanted!
