nijinsky
Well-Known Member
At what age to you get your GSD hip scored. I know some breeds don't hip score until 18 months but is one year old a good time, any of you think it's better to do it later? Thanks.
GSD Breeders - Advice Please
- Thread starter nijinsky
- Start date
MurphysMinder
Well-Known Member
I always do mine virtually straight after their first birthday. This is mainly to put myself out of the agony of worrying if their hips will be okay. Don't suppose it would make much difference if you left it till 18 months or so, but the hips will deteriorate slightly as they get older, i.e. 5 or 6 years plus. Good luck, hope you get a good score. My last bitch scored 38, which was a bit of a blow as I wanted to breed from her, but she is now 7 and a half and it certainly hasn't affected her. I once had a bitch score 98
, she won veteran classes and gaiting competitions, and never had a days unsoundness in her life.
frosty
New User
Hi its about a year old (no sooner) but you can always check with your vet. As previously mentioned the older they get the more wear and tear their hips have got so do it sooner rather than later for a clearer picture. Its quite expensive it cost us £200 to get it done, so if your not thinking of ever breeding i wouldn't worry about doing it. A good hip score does not always mean a dog that will have a long and trouble free hip life, on the continent they do it quite differently and more fairly than our own system. The BVA have a panel of judges who sit a couple of times a year so be prepared for a wait to get your results back.
MurphysMinder
Well-Known Member
As a breeder I am afraid I would not agree about not having hips scored unless a dog is to be bred from. It helps me get a useful picture of what my lines are producing hip wise, although I would never try and force an owner to have it done. It is quite a few years since I last had a dog scored, but then the panel used to sit every 6 weeks, is it really only twice a year now
It is expensive, my wonderful vet x rays under sedation instead of GA, cheaper and better for the dog. People travel from miles away to use him, he is also brilliant at reading plates and predicting scores, he is usually with 4 or 5.