Post by Shaun Eric Ewing on Aug 25, 2006 17:43:22 GMT
We have been hip testing for years, we have never seen any change in the quality of hips until we started using PennHIP.
In the beginning the scores we got back showed that about 30% of the dogs we tested had DJD, and that the average looseness in the hips was about 0,75 or so, I cannot remember the exact score.
Anne and I made a plan on how to better these scores, you have to remember that at that time most of the major breeders were saying that there was no HD or major illnesses in the Boerboel. Our plan was simple, we would exclude all the dogs that had DJD in any degree, we would also try and bring the average looseness down by breeding the looser hips only with very tight hips. We have kept to this plan for the last 6 years, and it has given very good results. Each generation had to have tighter hips than the previous generation. How does this work?
If you take the average results of the parents ie 0,75 + 0,75 + 0,33 + 0,33 = 0,54 (these are made up scores) this should be the average score for the litter (roughly). The next breeding dog has to be chosen from this litter, and obviously the tighter the hip the better. It is nearly impossible to pick out a 8 week old puppy and predict the hip quality, however there are some tricks.
Rear angulations: if these are too straight, when the dog walks it will act like a hammer hitting the hip socket. This will damage the socket at some time. So pick dogs with good angulations, good angulations act like a spring absorbing the shock before it reaches the hips.
Cow hock: If when seen from the back, the knees seem to point inwards, this indicates loose hips and an unnatural stance. An unnatural stance will wear the hips out earlier.
Playing, if a puppy prefers not to play with other puppies and has a disposition of an angel, look out! This puppy may well keep away from the others because it hurts when they play.
Cold weather, if when the puppy has been out in cold weather and it comes in again, how does it manage steps or obstacles? If it has difficulties this is a bad sign.
Watch the puppy when it urinates, does it cock one/both of the legs far out? If so pick another puppy.
Use the guidelines and gradually increase the tightness of the hips required in your breeding dogs, nothing is done overnight so do not give up but stick to your plan.
Anne and Shaun
In the beginning the scores we got back showed that about 30% of the dogs we tested had DJD, and that the average looseness in the hips was about 0,75 or so, I cannot remember the exact score.
Anne and I made a plan on how to better these scores, you have to remember that at that time most of the major breeders were saying that there was no HD or major illnesses in the Boerboel. Our plan was simple, we would exclude all the dogs that had DJD in any degree, we would also try and bring the average looseness down by breeding the looser hips only with very tight hips. We have kept to this plan for the last 6 years, and it has given very good results. Each generation had to have tighter hips than the previous generation. How does this work?
If you take the average results of the parents ie 0,75 + 0,75 + 0,33 + 0,33 = 0,54 (these are made up scores) this should be the average score for the litter (roughly). The next breeding dog has to be chosen from this litter, and obviously the tighter the hip the better. It is nearly impossible to pick out a 8 week old puppy and predict the hip quality, however there are some tricks.
Rear angulations: if these are too straight, when the dog walks it will act like a hammer hitting the hip socket. This will damage the socket at some time. So pick dogs with good angulations, good angulations act like a spring absorbing the shock before it reaches the hips.
Cow hock: If when seen from the back, the knees seem to point inwards, this indicates loose hips and an unnatural stance. An unnatural stance will wear the hips out earlier.
Playing, if a puppy prefers not to play with other puppies and has a disposition of an angel, look out! This puppy may well keep away from the others because it hurts when they play.
Cold weather, if when the puppy has been out in cold weather and it comes in again, how does it manage steps or obstacles? If it has difficulties this is a bad sign.
Watch the puppy when it urinates, does it cock one/both of the legs far out? If so pick another puppy.
Use the guidelines and gradually increase the tightness of the hips required in your breeding dogs, nothing is done overnight so do not give up but stick to your plan.
Anne and Shaun
