Health tests

[karen488]

Know that PRA FN tests need to be done but what about hip scoring? Contacted a rec. Breeder who said that it wasn't a problem for cocker spaniels?

[jasper_boy]

Know that PRA FN tests need to be done but what about hip scoring? Contacted a rec. Breeder who said that it wasn't a problem for cocker spaniels?

I have a 17 month old laying next to me, having had his left hip replaced 7 weeks ago and is having his right one done in 6 weeks times. I would definitely recommend hip scoring 

[karen488]

Sorry to hear that. The breeder made me feel like I was asking a stupid question (not nastily though)??

[Max X 2]

It appears alot of breeders say the same.   But having a 2 year old diagnosed with hip dysplasia, next time I'd definitely look for a breeder who hip scores & only breeds with dogs with low hip scores

[Jane S]

Not many breeders hip score (but more than there were) but any breed can be affected with HD and it is definitely something that can affect Cockers (both strains). The KC/BVA hip scoring stats show a lowest score of 0 for Cockers and a highest of 99 (very bad HD) with a breed mean score currently standing at 13. The UK is lagging behind other countries - in the US and Scandinavia it is routine to hip score Cockers and they can't understand why we don't

[karen488]

Should I consider a pup that isn't??

[Max X 2]

Should I consider a pup that isn't??

IMO it's going to be a bit more difficult finding a breeder that does

[JohnW]

Should I consider a pup that isn't??

Is it from working lines or show lines?

[karen488]

Show. Is there a diff with regards to hip scoring?

[JohnW]

Show. Is there a diff with regards to hip scoring?

No not at all its just I could have pointed you in the direction of a hipscored database for working cockers, still in its infancy but is growing all the time.  Hipscoring in cockers from working and show lines is still very rare unfortunatley so as said before you may struggle to find breeders who do hipscore both parents and TBH you would probably expect to pay a bit more for pups.  One thing that hasnt been said is that its also possible good scored parents can still produce HD pups and while its seen as reducing the risk of buying a pup with good balanced hips its still no guarentee. I would tend to look for equal scored hips in parents too, or as close as possible, i,e 4/4 hips in its score, even if the score is a little higher than the breed average.

[karen488]

Thanks. I've dropped really lucky with my last pup but since coming on here know a bit more. A little bit of knowledge is a dangerous thing!

[Christal]

I had a reply from one breeder to my question regarding Hip Scoring saying that it only affected solids and not particolours. 

Must admit this doesn't make any sense to me.

[Max X 2]

I had a reply from one breeder to my question regarding Hip Scoring saying that it only affected solids and not particolours. 

Must admit this doesn't make any sense to me.

nor me 

Another strange comment I've heard more than once is that more dogs have hip dysplasia now they don't have docked tails 

Problem I find is that who really knows how many dogs (of any breed) have things like HD.   

No not at all its just I could have pointed you in the direction of a hipscored database for working cockers, still in its infancy but is growing all the time. 

That sounds good 

[Max X 2]

I would tend to look for equal scored hips in parents too, or as close as possible, i,e 4/4 hips in its score, even if the score is a little higher than the breed average.

I agree with you about equally scored hips, but if we use Harry's sire as an example, his hip score is 8:7 & at that time the breed average was 14

[JohnW]

I would tend to look for equal scored hips in parents too, or as close as possible, i,e 4/4 hips in its score, even if the score is a little higher than the breed average.

I agree with you about equally scored hips, but if we use Harry's sire as an example, his hip score is 8:7 & at that time the breed average was 14

The breed average is only that an 'average score'. If a dog has a hipscore of 16, 17,or 18 and I liked the attributes of that dog I would see no reason not to use him or her, however I would put that dog to low 'equally balanced' hip scored mate. No different if a pra carrier should only got to a clear I suppose.  But thats the wonderful thing about testing its a simple tool or tools that points you in the rite direction, better than walking blind and playing russian roulette, simples.