07/23/2025
📚 Understanding Hip & Elbow Ratings in German Shepherd Dogs 🐾
What do all these rating systems mean? SV, OFA, PennHIP, FCI — Let’s break it down 👇
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🇩🇪 SV (Germany) – Verein für Deutsche Schäferhunde
SV ratings are commonly used for German-bred shepherds, including those in the U.S. with imported lines. Their system includes hip and elbow X-rays scored by certified veterinarians.
Hips (HD):
✅ a-normal – Excellent
✅ a-fast normal – Near Normal
✅ a-noch zugelassen – Still Allowed (mild changes)
❌ Nicht Zugelassen (N. Zugelassen) – Not Allowed (Moderate or Severe Dysplasia)
Elbows (ED):
✅ ED-normal
✅ ED-fast normal
✅ ED-noch zugelassen
❌ ED-nicht zugelassen – Elbow dysplasia present, not breedable
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🇺🇸 OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals – USA)
OFA is one of the most common rating systems in the U.S. for hips and elbows. Final ratings are given after 24 months of age.
Hips:
✅ Excellent – Tight, well-formed joints
✅ Good – Minor looseness, still normal
✅ Fair – Mild irregularities, but still passing
❌ Borderline
❌ Mild Dysplasia
❌ Moderate Dysplasia
❌ Severe Dysplasia
Elbows:
✅ Normal
❌ Grade 1 – Mild arthritic changes
❌ Grade 2 – Moderate changes
❌ Grade 3 – Severe arthritis/dysplasia
Only dogs with passing hips and elbows (Excellent, Good, Fair / Normal) should be bred.
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🇺🇸 PennHIP (University of Pennsylvania)
PennHIP gives a Distraction Index (DI) that measures joint looseness (laxity). The lower the number, the better.
✅ DI below 0.30 – Excellent
✅ 0.30–0.50 – Good to average (depending on breed)
⚠️ 0.51–0.59 – Mild laxity, increased risk
❌ 0.60 or higher – High risk of hip dysplasia
PennHIP doesn’t label “pass/fail” — but most responsible breeders aim for a DI below 0.50, ideally below 0.40 in GSDs.
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🇪🇺 FCI (International – Europe, Latin America, etc.)
FCI uses letter grades (A–E) for hips:
✅ A – Normal
✅ B – Near Normal
❌ C – Mild Dysplasia
❌ D – Moderate Dysplasia
❌ E – Severe Dysplasia
Here’s how elbow dysplasia (ED) is rated under the FCI system:
✅ ED 0 – Normal Elbows
No signs of dysplasia. Ideal for breeding.
⚠️ ED 1 – Mild Dysplasia
Minor changes such as slight bone irregularities. Some countries allow limited breeding with ED-1 dogs, but it's generally discouraged.
❌ ED 2 – Moderate Dysplasia
Visible joint changes, increased risk for lameness and arthritis. Not suitable for breeding.
❌ ED 3 – Severe Dysplasia
Major abnormalities, arthritis, or joint malformation. Breeding is strictly prohibited.
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✅ Health testing reduces the risk of passing on joint problems,
🚫 But it doesn’t eliminate the risk entirely
Even when both parents have excellent hips and elbows, there’s still a chance that puppies may develop dysplasia. That’s because these conditions are influenced not just by genetics, but also by:
Growth rate and nutrition (especially overfeeding)
Exercise – too much high-impact activity in young dogs
Environment – slippery floors, jumping off couches, etc.
