Guarantee on hip dysplasia - Page 3

I just re-read OFA's policy on preliminary xrays and they have stated that they will accept xrays on dogs as young as 4 months and then go on to cite statistics based on an age run of 3-6 months. It's all on their website -www.offa.org - and not easy to find BTW. I had to search under FAQ's and then click on the topic of prelim xrays. Never did find it on their home page. They also say the xrays are read by "the OFA veterinary radiologists (plural) and not sent to outside radiologists. The same hip grades are given to preliminary cases". Their statistics are based on an article that was published in JAVMA (Journal of American Veterinary Medicine), November 1997, authored by EA Corley et al. If this is the same Corley I've read, he has been associated with OFA for many years. I think he may have been one of the first to use a fulcrum/wedge when xraying hips. Anyone remember that? The OFA article goes on to say that, even though dogs are preliminaried clear, they still should be reevaluated at an older age. There is no reference to the Penn Hip scheme, but OFA's preliminary age revision could very well have been in response to that to give breeders an option for an earlier look at their dog's hip status. Of course economics would be a consideration as well. Personally, if I were buying a GSD puppy, I'd feel some relief if that dog were preliminaried at 4 months, even 3, but I would still insist on a written guarantee that dog would OFA at 24 months.