What age for prelims? - Page 1

Can I get some opinions on the best age to get prelims done?  (Hip and elbow)

Thanks

Travel time,

Since bone and ligaments constantly "change" as a dog grows, and the enviroment transforms around them.....
I can only tell you what "our" process is...........
We ask "concerned" puppy owners to get their 1st look at the "potential" growth process of their puppies, at 6-7mos old.
If there is a "concern" of non certifiable hips at that point.......we would like to "replace" the puppy at that time.......p.s...we don't ask for the original puppy back!
This mainly concerns the people that are "showing or training" their dogs.    Most "pet owners" choose to wait until the dog is older.
We then ask that the dog's hips be sent in for the a-stamp at 13mos of age.
The reason we ask owners to look at 6-7mos old is.........they are vesting time, money and their dreams of having a "carreer" for their dog........and almost ALWAYS....if the hips & elbows look "questionable" at that young age.....they will not certify at a later date..............but ANY owner is encouraged to look early on.

Robin

Stacey,

So far....for us.....if they were "normal" looking at 6-7 mos......they certified later at 13mos. We have only had a couple of people spend the money to then do OFA at 2yrs....(xrays aren't inexpensive).....but-again...they certified.
Can they change?......absolutely......nothing in God's world of nature is "a for sure" thing.
We've also just had a "buyer" PENHIP a puppy that is 5mos old......(looking very promising)...knock on wood.
It's our protocol.......I'm sure that there are other protocols' one can follow.....most breeders have one,......but this one works for us.
Robin

I had my dog done at 7 months.  My friend was doing hers (a few months older) so it was easiest for the vet to just do us as a group.  I did not submit the prelims anywhere b/c the vet doing them is every bit as qualified as any OFA or PennHIP panel/vet.

These were the hips.  The spine looks weird b/c I put the film (analog) on my window and there is a screen and a tree in the background.


I'm not up on all the protocol but I guess I will do the a-stamp when he is old enough (he's about 11 months now) and assuming he gets a good a-stamp rating, probably do the OFA as well b/c it's more common and has a nice online database.

Like Robin said I put a lot of time and money into training and developing this dog so if there is an obvious problem, I wanted to know sooner rather than later.  I didn't want to work him too hard or cause him more pain and damage later on if there was going to be a problem.

Thanks for the info.

Why bother with the cost, just ask the new kid on the block HAMZA166, he can tell just by looking at a photo what the hip status is. I think it's called x-ray vision!!!!

Bazza, really, you are being a pest.  My guess is you are a teenager, maybe 13.   My son and his friends just can't refrain from insulting each other and also strangers on Xbox live.  I think it is some immature male hormone thing that makes them have to puff their chests out.  Heaven forbid if the target is from another country.  Of course, those on the other end might be giving as good as they get. 

Thank god he is 15 now and it is settling down some.  Time you and Hamza do to.  

FREDA, i have no problem with you, i know you are new to the breed too, so maybe that is why you are defendig him. If you had recieved the pm from this idiot that i did, maybe you would not be so keen. I truly wish i was 13 but sadly i am far far from it. You think i am a pest, i think he/she is a pest, and much nastier in PM's, thank you and goodnight.