Hip scores - what do they mean?
Hip Scoring
Open to dogs at least 12 months of age, and is evaluated using a single radiographic view of the pelvis in extension. A general anaesthetic is required to undergo hip x-rays. If you want to get your dog's hips x-rayed, the procedure can be found on the website of the Lykos Wolfalike Council of Australia here
​
Hip dysplasia is an abnormality in the hip joints. These abnormalities include changes to the shape of the hip, ball and socket and the development of osteoarthritis (a common form of arthritis). Changes to the hip joint will begin at a young age as the puppy starts to become more active and will usually get worse over time due to 'wear and tear'. The severity of hip dysplasia can vary from a poorly shaped hip joint with osteoarthritis (a common form of arthritis) to a very deformed hip joint with advanced and very painful osteoarthritis.
There are 9 criteria evaluated, with scores between 0-6 allocated for each, except for the caudal acetabular edge which is scored out of 5. The scores for the right and left are added together to give a total score. The lower the score the better. The minimum (best) score is 0 and the maximum is 53 for each hip is considered severely dysplatsic. The total range of the scoring is 0 to 106, with 0 being the best, and 106 being the worst.
​
Currently and since the commencement of the breeding program, the Lykos Wolfalike breed hip limit is set at a total of 10, but the breed average is a total of 5. Total scores over 10 may be used for breeding in very special circumstances, which must be approved by the Lykos Wolfalike Council of Australia, as well as the Council's Health and genetics consultant veterinarian, Dr Ray Ferguson BVSc, with a future plan to monitor hip quality in the next generation via the additional PennHip method.
​
The nine anatomical features assessed in the BVA/KC scheme are the Norberg angle; Subluxation; Cranial acetabular edge; Dorsal acetabular edge; Cranial effective acetabular rim; Acetabular fossa; Caudal acetabular edge; Femoral head and neck exostoses; Femoral head recontouring.
International Comparison of Hip scores
Out of 46 dogs, I have produced 3 dogs with hip scores over 10, including one only 2 points over. The other two are considered borderline (i.e. scores between 10-26 via the BVA method). The higher scores acquaint to only 1% of pups produced and includes some pet-only dogs that have been scored. We have never bred with or produced dogs with scores over those scores.
​
For the most part, the higher scoring dogs were from excellent/good hip scored parents, grandparents so the higher scores were not expected. With hip scores, outliers do occur, as even generations of excellent scoring parents can still produce an affected dog. If the issue did not have a polygenetic/multifactorial mode of inheritance with environmental influential factors, it was easy to eradicate. It’s something all breeders need to be screen for and be aware of if their aim is to reduce the likelihood of hip issues in pups.
​​
To date, progeny directly from the borderline scoring parent have passed PennHip evaluation which tests the likelihood of the dog developing osteoarthritis. They scored better than 90% of other dogs (12,389) tested under the PennHip method, which is a great result. You can improve hip quality in quality dogs by careful breeding, which is a proven method to reduce the incidence of hip problems in a breed.
​
Additionally, as of 2024, the total average hip score of all dogs (pet or breeding and that I have used) is a great, low score of 5. 35% of dogs (bred by Lykosia) produced have been hip and elbow x-rayed.
​
When making assessments, I look at the complete dog, and consider the scores of parents, grandparents and other relatives.
​
Breeding dogs is not just about good hips. It's more about the complete dog. Respected canine geneticist, scientist, author, judge and breeder, Malcolm B Willis wrote numerous articles and papers about the subject that is still relevant today. "Breeding dogs, should not only be about good hips, but more about the complete dog. Good hips are not enough, if that is all the dog has to offer. Equally moderate hips should not prevent a dog being used if he has other virtues. The higher the score you want to use, relative to the breed average, the better the quality of the dog has to be. In all breeds, there is a limit about which it is unwise to go".
​
​
​
Additional Reading:
Reed AL, Keller GG, Vogt DW, Ellersieck MR, Corley EA. Effect of dam and sire qualitative hip conformation scores on progeny hip conformation. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2000 Sep 1;217(5):675-80.
Summary:
1. When dogs with Good or Excellent ratings are mated, there is a 12.5% incidence of puppies developing CHD, 87.5% will have normal hips.
2. When a dog with hips rated Good or Excellent is mated to a dog with hips rated Fair, the incidence of CHD puppies rises to 15%, with 85% normal.
3. When a dog which is dysplastic is mated to a dog rated Good or Excellent, the incidence of normal-hipped puppies drops to 75%, and the incidence of CHD jumps to 25%.
For those who want to read other details on statistical significance -
The abstract
Effect of dam and sire qualitative hip conformation scores on progeny hip conformation.
Reed AL, Keller GG, Vogt DW, Ellersieck MR, Corley EA.
Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, Columbia, MO 65201, USA.
​
​​