Hip Scores 

        Hip Dysplasia

Every Member Country  of the FCI has there own table of 'Hip Scores' for their Dogs/Bitches. The grading table is similar between the different countries throughout the world. This tabled has been set up for the Breeders/Owners to understand if you are looking at getting overseas stock. Use this table as a guide only, and the total accuracy of cannot be guaranteed against Hip Dysplasia.

NB: The Australian National Kennel Club (ANKC) DO NOT accept the Penn Hip X-Ray. 

FCI HD Classification: Dortmund 1991

This classification has been made up on account of the radiological features only.

It is as objective as possible. This classification scheme may be adopted for older dogs, but secondary arthritic changes have then to be evaluated according to the age
of the dog.

Now you are able to compare the FCI scores with the OFA
scoring system.

You will find some difference in the upper region.
Bad hips are bad hips everywhere and also indicated the same:

Description of classes (A to E), applicable to dogs aged between
one and two years, provided correct positioning:

In the Netherlands one is allowed to breed with
HD A, HD B and HD C results.

NB: Hip-classification in numbers 0 to 3 was used in some FCI-countries until about 1990 (e.g. Switserland) and then changed into classification A to E. So you can find the older classification still in pedigrees of dogs that were evaluated before 1990.
Grade 1/1 is the same as grade C/C, which means "mildly displastic". In Switzerland and Germany those dogs are still allowed to be bred. In some of the pedigrees you will see these scores as well in the Swiss ancestors.

According to the FCI Scientific Committee the grades are defined ad follows [The final diagnosis is based on two radiographs, one of them in Position I (with extended hind legs) and the other in Position II (with flexed hind legs, the frog position).]

Description of classes (A to E), applicable to dogs aged between
one and two years, provided correct positioning:

A: No signs of hip dysplasia

The femural head and the acetabulum are congruent and the acetabular angle according to Norberg (adapted for Pos. 1) is 105° or more. The craniolateral rim appears sharp and slightly rounded. The joint space is narrow and even.
In excellent hip joints the craniolateral rim encircles the femoral head somewhat more in laterocaudal direction.

B: Transitional or borderline hipjoints

The femural head and the acetabulum are slightly incongruent and the acetabular angle according to Norberg adapted for Pos. 1) is 105° or more, or the acetabular angle according to Norberg is less than 105° and the femural haed and the acetabulm are congruent.

C: Mild hip dysplasia

The femoral head and the acetabulum are incongruent, the acetabular angle according to Norberg is more than 100° and/or there is a slightly flattened craniolateral rim. Irregularities or no more than slight signs of osteoarthrotic changes of the margo acetabularis cranialis, caudalis or dorsalis or on the femoral head and neck may be present.

D: Moderate hip dysplasia

Obvious incongruency between the femoral head and the acetabulum with subluxation. Acetabular angle according to Norberg more than 90° (only as reference). Flattening of the craniolateral rim and/or osteoarthrotic signs.

E: Severe hip dysplasia

Marked dysplatic changes of the hip joints, such as luxation or distinct subluxation, acetabular angle according to Norberg less than 90°, obvious flattening of the margo acetabularis cranialis, deformation of the femoral head (mushroom shaped, flattening) or other signs of osteoarthrosis.

Terms Used:

• CH Champion

• FCI Federation Cynologique Internationale (The European kennel Club)

• HD Hip Dysplasis

• Int. CH International Champion

• LOSH Registration number of Belgian pedigree dogs

NHSB Nederlands Honden Stamboek (registration number of Dutch pedigree dogs)