Opinions Needed SV/OFA - Page 1

I need some opinions- we are considering purchasing a GSD puppy from a reputable breeder. Both parents have their SV papers with A normal ratings. I am aware that sometimes dysplasia can happen even when the parents have passed their OFA /SV testing with flying colors. It's unfortunate, but it can happen to the best breeders.

Breeders: If all other standards were met (titles etc), would you breed a dog with SV papers only? Or would you get OFA certification as well?

I've heard the OFA can be extra picky and that the SV papers are the highest distinction a GSD can recieve.

Is OFA certification America's version of SV certification?

Any feedback and opinions welcome. Thank you.

Hip and Elbow Ratings from the SV should not be considered as "the highest distinction a GSD can receive".  Rather, the SV is the German Hip and Elbow Certifying Organization, as WELL as the German Registry for GSD's. They are responsible for hip and Elbow Evaluations for the dog's ratings, as well as for registration and record of their title acheivements of purebred GSD's and verification of their lineage .  
In The USA, the most common and oldest organization for hip and elbow ratings and record maintenance is the OFA.  There is also Penn Hip, a relatively newer organization which uses both the position that OFA and the SV uses, as well as a side view, and one which determines the degree of laxity of the femoral heads within their acetabulums.   These organizations are not responsible in any way for registration of the dog.

Slovak,  Czech, Belgium Dogs and others often use FCI for their hip and elbow ratings while others are rated through the SV.  
These organizations' ratings are equally as meaningful / important as to the ratings the dog receives.  
Often the organization doing the certifications closely reflect  the dog's country of origin. 
IMO the SV has proven to be more consistent in the manner by which they view and rate each dog's hips.  They direct only one vet for the responsibility to review of each film, and the guidelines by which they are viewed and decided upon have been shown to be very consistent.  Rather than OFA who enlists the medical opinion of 3 vets for every rating done, who all must agree on the rating, with the lower one being the one they default to if they do not agree 100%.  This decision can at times disagree with the dog's owner's vet, who may also be a radiologist or orthopedist... OFA's panel of doctors also rotates frequently, allowing for added, subjective differences of opinion as to what the dog must adhere to for said rating.   
The SV takes into consideration many other things, to a higher degree than does OFA, such as the dog's age, and the dogs' parentage / ancestoral hip/elbow backgrounds.    

 

if you are so worried about hip and elbow problems, consider purchasing an older puppy (6+ months), one that has already had its preliminary x-rays. your chances are much better that way.