19/11/2025
🐾 Understanding Good vs Bad Hip Scores on the BVA Scheme 🦴✨
If you’re buying a puppy, knowing how to interpret the hip scores of the parents is absolutely essential.
No hip scores on a mum or dad?
DONT BUY THAT PUPPY!
end of …
Responsible breeders will health screen their dogs, whether it’s a single litter or more.
DO NOT take any excuse as to why they aren’t done!
WALK AWAY …
None of this:
“Straight backed” ❌
“It’s her only litter” ❌
“It was an accidental mating” ❌
“I just wanted her to experience being a mum” ❌
“They are from working pedigree” ❌
“Her parents were clear” ❌
NO HEALTH SCORES…. That’s an irresponsible breeder right there!
Simple!
🐾 🐾 🐾
So you ask, how do I know what to look for when seeing the screening certificate and score?
👇
In the UK the main scheme is the BVA system, which scores each hip from 0 to 53, giving a total possible score of 0–106.
👉 Lower scores = healthier hips
👉 Each hip is scored across 9 anatomical features, assessing everything from joint looseness to early arthritic changes.
📌 Compare the scores with the breed median published by the BVA/KC.
A score close to or below the breed median is generally considered suitable for breeding.
(GSD median is currently 18-22 total depending which literature you read.)
⚠️ What Counts as a Poor BVA Hip Score?
Poor scores tend to be:
❌ 30+ total, especially if one hip is significantly worse
❌ Evidence of looseness, structural changes, or early arthritis
❌ Well above the breed median
These scores indicate a higher risk of inherited hip dysplasia, and dogs with high results should not be bred.
