A: Dove and Berkley have been tested by PennHIP, which I believe is far superior to OFA.  OFA uses 3 vets to "judge" hip quality, based on fewer x-rays.  In my opinion, OFA has no predictive value whatsoever.  The PennHIP method costs more and is done by fewer vets.  It requires putting the dog under general anesthesia.  PennHIP actually measures hip laxity, which is the #1 factor in HD.  Almost no HD is present in dogs with scores over .30.  The average for the breed is .35 (and still good).  Average dogs have a tiny lifetime chance of developing HD.  Dove's hips score at .19 and .22.  Berkley's are .19 and .16.  Both are in the top 10% of GSP's and probably the top 1%.  Based on the statistics, they have a less than 1% lifetime chance of developing HD.  In addition, all of the grandparents involved have been evaluated for HD.

Some of Dove's pups have been evaluated and some are pending evaluations.  All look very good.

Q: What happens in the event my pup has HD?
A: My policy, and I put it in writing, is to allow you to keep or return a dysplastic dog, and to give a replacement from an upcoming litter.  (This could take some time, because I would need to seriously revamp my breeding program.)  Of course, you'd need to spay or neuter the dog, if you elected to keep it.  There are some other clauses in the contract that are designed to prevent misdiagnoses and protect the dog, but all is clearly laid out in my contract.  The chances of pups from Marshfield Kennel developing HD are extremely remote.

Q: Another breeder, who seems like a good one to me, doesn’t do hip screening because she hasn’t ever had a problem.  Is she a good breeder?
A: NO.  She hasn’t had a problem YET.  In this case the breeder in question didn’t know what OFA stood for, did not know the rating system, neither the sire or dam were tested.  The person who contacted me bought the excuses, even though it seemed like a bad idea.  The other breeder may or may not be breeding dysplasia time-bombs.  Even if she is not, she’s an irresponsible breeder because she doesn’t know for sure.