Xrays OFA or Germany - Page 1

I sent our male's x-rays to Germany for a rating. Can anyone tell me is there a marked difference between OFA & Germany? Other than the obvious cost?

Go to the OFFA.ORG website. There is  chart there that compares OFA ratings to SV ratings.

Having done both myself, I prefer Germany. I feel more attention to detail, paperwork, identification, and vet guidelines is paid. After seeing some friends send to both that OFA confirming the experiences I had, IMO OFA gets a little more subjective results. 

I think the chart is suspect. It's been out there and a few have accepted it. Where did it come from? Who did the study? It seems to have just appeared and look!!! It favors the OFA! Imagine that.........

One system with a panel of vets that rotate. You never get the same people looking at the same dog or even breed vs. One German Shepherd vet that rates all.

The OFA says it's an "approximation".  The SV doesn't offer a similar comparison as far as  know.OFA won't certify til 24 months, the SV will certify at 12 months.  IMO having more than one reader is an advantage. If an owner questions the results of an OFA evaluation they can get another opinion by resubmitting another x-ray. It's my understanding that the SV doesn't offer that option; their word is final.  I see  pluses and negatives about both schemes.

Pretty much my point. I can't find where anyone has done a comparison and I really question whether a comparison can be done. How do you do a comparison when the group you use at the time of the comparison changes? Where's the validity and recoverability in that? It lacks the ability to produce the same result consistently as the group changes. There are statistical problems in the way a comparison would be done. So, I question the validity of the comparison, especially when the comparison favors the organization that published it. What did they really do to arrive with the chart they published? Oh, I see,,,,they covered themselves by saying the results that show our system is superior are "approximate."

I can't get three vets to agree on what's wrong with a dog that has loose poop. Heaven forbid something as critical as a hip or elbow x ray. Just a lot of room for interpretation in the OFA system.

One person, one result....I like the 'one' thing myself. One person can make a standard consistent. One person grading German Shepherd hips is a consistent comparison to others of the same type. I like the 'one' aspect of the SV system.

I very much agree with all Randy said.

As with everything else in the GSD world,  it's good to have a choice.

Thank you for the great input eveyone. I think since I used Germany for our male we should do the same with or little female we just bought. Both of her parents are Geman, Sire is VA 1 Ober von Bad-Boll, so I want to give her all the opportunities in the world
Our daughter talked about using OFA & I just don't know enough about them to be able to say they are good or bad.
Thank you again
Leslie

Randy,  I just sent you a PM.