SV vs OFA - Page 1

Up until noiw I have always used OFA. However, after hearing quite a few complaints of late, I am wanting to look into going the SV route. I am in the dark about this. Can an AKC registered GSD get stamped with the SV? If so, what age can this be done? I saw in another post that the age was over 12 months, is this correct? Also, how difficult is it to submit X-rays and what is the cost? How accurate are they compared to OFA?

I would be interested in knowing more and knowing how I can go about sending in my submissions.

Thanks.

What kind of complaints have OFA been getting? I'm curious into knowing.

Ramage, an A.K.C.-papered GSD can indeed receive the "a" stamp from the S.V. provided it is done through the U.S.c.A. or the G.S.D.C.A.-W.D.A.. To do this through either the U.S.c.A. or G.S.D.C.A.-W.D.A. you must be a member.

For the U.S.c.A.: http://www.germanshepherddog.com/breed/a_stamp_program.htm

For the G.S.D.C.A.-W.D.A.: http://www.gsdca-wda.org/forms/SUBMISSION%20OF%20RADIOGRAPHS%20GUIDELINE%20082408.pdf

If the dog or bitch passes the evaluation they will be entered into the S.V.'s breed book and assigned a registration number. Please note that the first digit of this S.V. registration number will begin with the numeral "9"-indicating a dog of foreign birth. If both parents have breed surveys and ZW ratings, these will be reflected for the registration of your dog. If not, and the examined dog is at least "a" fast Normal it will be assigned a ZW value of "100"-the numerical mean of the scoring system.

It's not difficult-it's just a bit more costly and requires more waiting time. Please remember to submit the elbow radiographs as well.

Best Regards and Good Luck,

Bob-O

I sent two through for SV hip and elbow ratings.  One was AKC registered only, the other I had imported as a puppy so she had her SV papers.  I went through GSDCA-WDA and it went smoothly at that time.  Do follow the instructions provided very carefully as the SV has additional requirements compared to OFA.  One big difference is films only, no digital, unless that's changed in the last year?    Another big difference is they can be rated at a younger age.

I don't know if there have been changes in the GSDCA-WDA process.  You do need to be a member to do so.  Here is the link for the submittals:

http://www.gsdca-wda.org/a-stampprogramguides.htm

Here's an option for you.  Have your x-ray films done insuring all the SV required information is included.  This is more information then OFA requires.  Send your x-rays to OFA first with the return request and fee included.  After you receive the films back from OFA then submit to the SV.  You would know how the two compare then for not a huge additional cost.

Only about 3% of GSD's will receive the ofa "excellent" rating, whereas a much larger majority of dogs will receive the "a normal" rating from the SV. Since "a normal" is supposed to be the best hip rating in the SV, and "excellent" the best hip rating in ofa, I'm no statistics whiz, but it would seem to me that this disparity might represent that the SV gives better ratings, or judges the films  more generously. On many occasions(17 to be exact), I received a better rating from the SV on the same x ray that I submitted to ofa. 12 ofa "fair" ratings then went to the SV, and received "a normal".  5  ofa "good" received "a normal".  This is just my synopsis of my own personal data, but it seems pretty clear.  Good luck, Von Leistung German Shepherds

Pam, you are exactly correct. The O.F.A. merely grades joint conformation as conpared of other specimens of the same breed and they use their models to determine the final score. Hence, there are three (3) passing O.F.A. scores. Our GSD can muster but a 3% score of "Excellent" with a rate of failure of about 19%.

So, for a typical GSD sampling population the O.F.A. passing scores is approximately 3% as "Excellent", 42% "Good", and 37% as "Fair". This leaves approximately 19% of examined dogs to fail from a rating of "Borderline" to "Severe Dysplasie". If one looks at the S.V.'s statistics one will see a significantly higher portion of passing scores and a much lower portion of failing scores. I think it is currently about 93% passing and 7% failing.

The S.V. has the lowest threshold for a passing score; the rating of "a" noch Zugelassen. I am comparing apples to oranges, but one could equate this lowest passing score to the O.F.A. failing scores from "Borderline" to "Light Dysplasie".  This allows the scores of "a" Normal, "a" fast Normal, and "a" noch Zugelassen to each cover a broader range. Hence, the score of "a" Normal could encompass the O.F.A. scores of "Excellent" through "Good/Fair". But, it is not entirely fair to make that statement as the systems do not have an exact relationship.

Some say that the S.V. has lower standards for the "a" Stamp evaluation. This is not entirely true, as the one (1) area where the S.V. agrees with the O.F.A. (as well as other entities) is what constitutes hip dysplasie. But, the S.V. does have a broader range of what they consider to be a passing hip score-no doubt about that. That is where the value of the Zuchtwert system is realized the most.

Best Regards,

Bob-O

Thanks everyone! Great info.

Does anyone know which club is quicker? GSDCA or USCA?

Brittany - I have heard numerous people say that the vets used for OFA are biased and not always accurate. I am not saying this is true nor that I believe it to be 100% true ... I am just thinking maybe this time around I will try the SV instead of OFA and see what I think of the differences.