german hip xray - Page 2

http://www.offa.org/hipgrade.html This was posted for VomFelsenHof, the Official Orthopedic Foundation For Animals web site clearly states OFA Excellent, Good and Fair are of equivalents of the SV (Germany) Normal. That OFA Borderline Dysplasia is the equivalent of the SV (Germany) Fast Normal, and that Mild Dysplasia is the equivalent of the SV (Germany) Noch Zugelassen. There you are, information as requested, right from the OFA.

That is exactly what the OFA website says. However, I have found this to be untrue. Typically, if a dog has a1,a2 or a3 it will OFA. I have also seen a dog x-rayed at 1 year and have a3 hips, and then OFA good at 2 years.

Cybervision, a3 does not equal mild dysplasia. a1 = a-normal a2 = a-fast normal a3 = a-noch zugelassen a6 = a-Ausland (outside of Germany) a4 = Dysplastic (mild) a5 = Dysplastic (severe) There are many people that don't have a problem with using an a3 stamped dog, especially if it has something to offer the breed. Jeff

I am quoting what is equivalent according to the OFA. I am not making any rules myself, you can ask OFA about this. Someone need to make it clear because most of us are confused about this discussion what you believe in Germany and what OFA is saying. Something is not right.

Unfortunately, OFA is not 'god' in the certification process. I know dogs who FAILED thier hip x-rays with OVC (Canada equivalent to OFA, although most feel it is harder to certify with OVC) and then get OFA fair or good with the same dog/x-rays. I know dogs who FAILED OFA and then resent x-rays to have them pass with a good. MORE important than a dogs individual rating is the sibling/sire/dam/family overall pictures of hips and passing. Reason I don't like OFA and thier ratings! A dog with OFA excellent can produce more dysplastic pups/dogs than a dog with OFA fair. It all depends on the rest of the family and ratings. I would breed to an OFA fair dog with a sibling group of all fair/good vs and OFA excellent dog with a few siblings that failed.

Question? Has anyone in the USA sent x-rays to the SV to be a- stamped at 1 year then 0fa'd at 2 years? If ridding our breed of dysplasia was as easy as just breeding dogs with good and excellent hips this issue should have been resolved. Kyle

OFA also provides a vertical pedigree with any known hip information on the parents and siblings of dogs with OFA numbers.

I found this a while back; doesn't make SV look good as far as their definitions: http://home.sprintmail.com/~impactgsd/astamp1.html

Well...I guess eveyone has a different opinion.Including the orginizations that read these xrays.They really need a base line among them! I have been trying to understand this for years.Let me give you some backround.I have been breeding for 8 years. Not really breeding anything that is used in police work most of my pups go to pet homes, as the police only use dogs from overseas in my area. But what I have been trying to achive is a good healthy stock on which to provide a good all around dog. I have lost 25% of my stock to one reason or another(not just hips)Lets face it...when you buy a pup you take your chance. We are talking about a living creature and there are no perfect genetics. Then if you think you can buy a bitch that is all ready to breed think again. Is the breeder being up front or are they dumping the dog because they saw something they did'nt like (tempermant) or she threw offspring with umbilical hernias or soft ears,ect. A Why do I do it? I love the breed. Why do people have to be dishonest...human nature!Unfortunatly the dogs are the ones that suffer. Ever put a 7 month old pup down because she has severe hip dysplasia she cant even walk or a 1 year old with Mega esophagus? It never gets any easier.I am still ever learning and understand that there are no perfect dogs out there.So Thats my story the short version. Thanks for all your feed back on the hip issue.

I have to agree with VomFelsenHof, I to think that OFA is a big joke. I have a freind that had her dog OFA at 18months and the hips came back bad a year later she resent new xrays and the dogs hips were good, HOW???? OFA is a matter of opinion, and that does not work in the dog world. I do not like to have any of my dogs go with OFA, because of the uncertany. But since there are still a lot of people in the States that worship OFA (mainly because they have not done any research on OFA like people on this site have)I have no choice but to use OFA. Everyone wants to know "Are the dogs hips OFAed". What people do not understand is that OFA can put you out of business, with their matter of opinions, the bottom line with OFA is there is not any research with hips on a dog, there are 3 vets that look at the x-rays and say YA or NA, and I think the reason why they have 3 vets is so one can break the tie... I am trying to change over to Penhip which I believe to be more accurate.