A puppy’s soft coat, expressive eyes, and happy greeting can make any family picture the years ahead. Responsible breeders picture those years, too: the long walks, children leaning in for a hug, games in the yard, and the quiet evenings at your feet. Knowing how to check hip scores is one practical way to look beyond the puppy stage and ask thoughtful questions about a dog’s health foundation.
Hip testing is not a promise that a puppy will never develop joint trouble. Genetics, growth rate, nutrition, exercise, injury, and body condition all play a role. It is, however, an essential part of responsible breeding. When both parents have appropriately evaluated hips, families have better information about the care and intention behind a planned litter.
What a hip score tells you
Canine hip dysplasia is a developmental condition in which the ball-and-socket hip joint does not fit or function as smoothly as it should. Over time, looseness in the joint can contribute to inflammation, arthritis, discomfort, or changes in movement. Some dogs with hip dysplasia show signs early, while others seem comfortable when young and develop symptoms later.
A hip evaluation uses X-rays to assess the structure of the hip joints. In the United States, the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, commonly called OFA, is one of the most familiar registries for these results. A veterinarian takes carefully positioned radiographs, and qualified reviewers evaluate the images.
For final OFA hip evaluations, the ratings are Excellent, Good, Fair, Borderline, Mild Dysplasia, Moderate Dysplasia, and Severe Dysplasia. Excellent, Good, and Fair are considered normal hip ratings. “Fair” does not mean a dog is unhealthy or unsuitable as a companion. It means the hips passed the evaluation but have less ideal conformation than hips rated Excellent or Good.
The ratings that include dysplasia describe increasing evidence of hip joint changes. Borderline results are less clear-cut and may lead a veterinarian or breeder to recommend repeat testing later. A responsible breeding decision considers the complete health picture rather than treating one label as the whole story.
How to check hip scores in an OFA record
When you are considering a breeder or a particular litter, begin by asking for the registered names of the sire and dam and their registration numbers. A breeder who completes health testing should be comfortable discussing these records and explaining what they mean.
You can search the OFA public database using a dog’s registered name or registration number. The record may list hip results along with other testing that matters for the breed, such as elbow, eye, cardiac, or genetic screening. Confirm that the name on the health record matches the parent named in the pedigree and litter information. Registered names can be similar, so a registration number provides an added layer of clarity.
As you review a hip entry, look for three details: the final rating, the date of evaluation, and the dog’s age at testing. A final OFA hip certification is issued when a dog is 24 months or older. This timing matters because canine hips are still developing during adolescence.
A preliminary OFA evaluation can be performed much earlier, starting at four months of age. Preliminary results can be useful information for breeders planning ahead, but they are not the same as a final adult certification. If a young breeding prospect has only preliminary results, it is reasonable to ask whether final testing will be completed before the dog is included in a breeding program.
Not every dog’s result may appear in a public database. Owners can choose whether certain results are released publicly, and record availability can vary by registry and country. If a search does not produce a record, that is a reason to ask for documentation, not to make assumptions. A transparent breeder can provide copies of certifications and help you understand them.
PennHIP scores are measured differently
Some breeders also use PennHIP, another respected method of assessing hips. PennHIP evaluates hip laxity and reports a distraction index, or DI, rather than an OFA rating. In general, a lower DI suggests tighter hips and a lower estimated risk of developing osteoarthritis associated with hip laxity.
A PennHIP number cannot be directly translated into an OFA Excellent, Good, or Fair rating. They examine related concerns through different methods. If you see PennHIP results, ask the breeder how they use that information in their health decisions and whether the score is favorable compared with other dogs in the breed population.
Look at the whole health foundation, not one line item
It is tempting to search for a single perfect score and let that end the conversation. But responsible breeding is more careful than that. Hip health is influenced by many genes, and even two parents with normal evaluations cannot guarantee that every puppy will have identical outcomes.
A conscientious breeder looks beyond the individual parents whenever possible. They consider pedigree history, close relatives, prior offspring, breed trends, and complementary health testing. They also make thoughtful decisions about temperament, structure, coat, and the ability of each dog to thrive as a cherished family member.
For an Australian Labradoodle, ask about testing that is appropriate to the individual dogs and the program’s goals. Hip records are meaningful, but so are elbow evaluations, annual or specialized eye examinations, cardiac screening when indicated, and DNA testing for inherited conditions. The right panel may vary based on lineage, laboratory recommendations, and the health information already known within a breeding program.
A breeder should also be able to explain how puppies are raised. Health records support good breeding choices, while early handling, age-appropriate enrichment, gentle exposure to home sounds and movement, and thoughtful temperament assessment help prepare a puppy for daily life. These pieces work together. A puppy needs both a sound health foundation and a confident, supported start.
Questions worth asking a breeder
Good questions create a clearer picture without turning the process into an interrogation. You might ask whether both parents have final hip certifications, what each parent’s result was, and whether you can review the official records. If one parent has a Fair rating or testing completed through PennHIP, ask how that result was considered alongside the other parent’s health history.
It is also helpful to ask about close relatives and prior litters. Has the breeder followed offspring as they matured? Do they welcome updates from families? Long-term relationships with puppy families give breeders valuable feedback about health, temperament, and how dogs settle into real homes.
Listen for clarity rather than perfection. A trustworthy breeder does not claim that testing removes every possible risk. Instead, they can describe their standards, share the documentation they have, acknowledge the limits of genetic prediction, and explain how they make careful decisions for the future of their lines.
Your role after bringing puppy home
Even the most carefully bred puppy needs sensible support while growing. Rapid weight gain can place extra stress on developing joints, so follow your veterinarian’s guidance on nutrition and body condition rather than feeding simply to encourage the fastest growth. Keep your puppy lean, well nourished, and on an age-appropriate food plan.
Puppies also need movement, but more is not always better. Free play on safe surfaces, short exploratory walks, and rest between adventures are usually kinder to young joints than repetitive forced exercise. Avoid making a growing puppy jog long distances, repeatedly leap from heights, or race up and down stairs for exercise. Your veterinarian can help tailor activity as your dog grows.
If you notice persistent limping, bunny-hopping, reluctance to rise, stiffness after rest, or discomfort with normal activity, schedule a veterinary visit. These signs do not automatically mean hip dysplasia, but early attention is always worthwhile.
Choosing a puppy is a family decision built on both feeling and facts. At Starlight Ridge Labradoodles, we believe families deserve clear health information, honest conversations, and a puppy selected with the years ahead in mind. When you understand the records behind a litter and continue thoughtful care at home, you give your new companion a strong beginning for a life woven naturally into your family’s everyday moments.
