> I do not like PennHip for determining orthopedics for the same reaons > Dawn stated - it doesn't help with the issue of elbows.
This breeding discussion is very interesting to non-breeders like me. I have also found previous discussions about OFA vs PennHIP interesting. I just had my 2 year old BARC girl evaluated by both OFA and PennHIP. It was not required by BARC, but I wanted the information for myself. Halley has OFA "fair" hips. 1 xray view. Her PennHIP scores were in the 10th percentile as compared to Bernese Mountain Dogs. 3 xray views. This means that 90% of Berners have better hips than she has. PennHIP also tells me she has no evidence of DJD. So, as a "novice" what do I think? That PennHIP has given me more information about my dogs hips. Would a breeder breed a dog with OFA "fair" hips? Perhaps, given the other factors that weigh in. Would a breeder breed a dog with hips that are in the 10th percentile for BMD's? I think that in a breed with the incidence of HD that Berner's have, that the 10th percentile is pretty risky. I feel her PennHip ratings are more accurate and give me more information. If elbow xrays are necessary as well, so be it. It is the cost of owning a Berner. My Halley-Storm does agility training, runs like the wind and leaps like a kangaroo. I am happy to spend money on gaining knowlege on my dogs. BARC pet dog, whatever. I like to know what I am dealing with and what my dog may need now to help her in the future. Janice Parky Halley and Wrigley Cape Cod, MA
