Didn't Think OFA Graded Elbows Excellent - Page 1

While looking at the pedigrees of many top working dog breeder's GSD's pedigrees, I noticed some of the top breeders put OFA "excellent" under the picture of their dog for their dog's elbows on pedigree database and their personal websites. It is my understanding OFA doesn't grade elbows as excellent. They issue a certificate with normal as passing or send a letter stating the grade of the elbows which is always a "not pass". To me, it is not truthful to say OFA's grading of elbows were excellent. A vet may have said the dog's elbows were excellent, but breeders shouldn't put OFA in front of this. If I am not correct in my assessment, will someone please let me know? Hips are graded by OFA and certificate's issued for excellent, good and fair (anything else is not passing). I am aware of this so hips aren't what I am talking about, just elbows.

You're correct, but to say "top working dog" pedigrees say that makes me wonder if you're reading it right. Can you screen shot an example or link me?

Sure - I will PM you the pedigree address as I don't want to openly criticize anyone. I just don't think it is truthful to say Elbows: OFA: Excellent (as this is misleading to me and others) on not just top working dogs, but any dogs. I should have been more specific.

You said "some of the top breeders." I guess "top" is subjective.

There didn't used to be a classification on here for "normal" per OFA for elbows. That could be what you're seeing.

Type in 'normal'

There is a mistake in the PDB Elbow menu. It is using the Hip menu by mistake and has OFA Excellent listed. You will note that it also has HD instead of ED for the various options. PDB is working on correcting the error. There should be only OFA EL: Normal and 3 grades of Fail.

I guess people are choosing it by mistake, or upgrading the results.

Thank you for your responses. It is good to know Pedigree Database is working on it as it is misleading when searching for a GSD to purchase. I have seen OFA Elbows Excellent on a couple of personal websites (primarily working dog) as well throughout my search for a two year or older GSD female whose hips and elbows already graded by OFA.