Hello everyone, so I have had some questions about this. A very important subject. OFA & Pennhipp are both ways to test for dysplasia.
OFA is a grading system. You work with your vet, who then sends in xrays to OFA to get them graded. Your dog's hips can be scored in several different categories. For breeding dogs, you want them to be in one of 3 categories, excellent, good & normal. It has to do with the tightness of their hips. The thing with OFA is that they require your dog to be 24mos before they will score them. As they want to make sure their growth plates are closed before they give an official score.
All of my dogs will be getting OFA testing done. However, Consuela was just shy of the accepted age. Rafa still has a few more month before they will grade him. Consuela's scores are pending. However, I have gotten them both X-rayed and cleared by the vet for dysplasia already to make sure Consuela was healthy enough to carry her pups and since dysplasia is hereditary, I wanted to make 100% sure they were in the clear. On top of that they come from a long line of dogs that have OFA scores of excellent or good only. Since dysplasia is a hereditary issue (barring injury) I know my dog are healthy and won't pass down dysplasia issues. But I still will be getting the official OFA scores anyhow as a secondary comfort for people wanting pups from me.
Pennhipp is another way to assess hips, and this can be performed at any age. Most breeders have a favored way and stick with it. Some argue Pennhipp is better and many other will argue in favor of OFA. I think you can't go wrong with either. Pennhipp can be done by a veterinarian, however it does require specialty training and since it is a newer system there arent as many vets licensed to perform this. It is also much more expensive than doing OFA. I won't be getting my dogs Penhipp testing as of yet. Maybe in the future. I will be sticking with OFA. Not because of the expense, but because in my area few vets actually do this, and the ones that I have called to speak with haven't been taking new patients in over 2 years. Ever since Covid hit vets have been absolutely swamped. Most aren't accepting new patients and its extremely hard to get your dog in, with long wait time. I am also planning to stick with OFA because it's what I have been taught by my mentors and has been done all throughout my dog's lines and would like to stick with that.
I offer a 2-year contract for hip dysplasia on all the puppies leaving my home. I do this with confidence knowing I have thoroughly had my dogs checked out and knowing what's in their lineage. All the details of my contract for hip dysplasia can be shared in advance with anyone seriously interested in purchasing one of my puppies, along with the rest of my puppy contract including a health guarantee, The health of my dogs and every puppy that leave my home is something that's extremely important to me. When I tell you I love every single one of them I mean it. I also always want to be sure that anyone buying from me feels comfortable and confident in me and the puppy that they are bringing home.
Until next time...
-The Warden
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