If NOT breeding, what reasons to do hips/elbows?

[arycrest]

I only x-ray if I believe that there might be a health problem OR if I plan on doing something with the dog that might be injurous to bad hips/elbows.

[wolfy dog]

I won't breed WD. As long as he doesn't show any limitations I won't X-ray him. he climbs steep river banks with ease, is sturdy and never shows any problems after strong exercise (age appropriate)

[onyx'girl]

I'd do prelims early on if the dog is doing sportwork(you don't need to send it in, but have a good ortho read the films)

It is also great for breeders to see how their pups developed early on so they can plan future breedings.
If there is a problem with hips/elbows they should know this before breeding the dam again. Or if they want to do a repeat breeding that information is necessary.

[elisabeth_00117]

I do prelims on all dogs because all of my dogs are involved in some sort of training, we hike and do rock climbing together and other strenuous activities. I want to know if I need to alter supplements or exercise if there is an issue.

[JakodaCD OA]

I xray all of my dogs, hips/elbows/knees/spine.

Some I've ofa'd some I haven't, but still xray. I am not a breeder

I xray because I want to know structural status , and for future reference should something crop up, we have something to compare to.

Also do it as a courtesy to the breeder

[qbchottu]

Dogs from breeders get xrays so if there is an issue, I can inform the breeder in a timely manner. Many contracts stipulate a time limit for hips/elbows - if there is an issue, I want it known by a year old so I will get compensated based on the contract.

Rescue dogs don't get any xrays unless there is a problem that warrants further attention. Got a sweet Rottie girl abandonment case and a little Golden mix with me now - they will not get xrayed.

[Good_Karma]

My female mixed breed turned out to have severe HD, and was diagnosed under a year old. We ended up doing a prelim x ray on my male GSD when he was neutered (1 year old) because of the experience with Rosa. We had Niko x rayed again when he was two years old and done growing, just to be sure even though there was no evidence of HD at one year old. We also put him on a joint supplement which he will take the rest of his life, just to be on the safe side.

It doesn't do any harm to give a joint supplement, and there is certainly peace of mind knowing that Niko does not have any underlying hip issues that could crop up when he gets older. His breeder also appreciated getting a copy of the x rays, for her own records. I will continue to x ray any dogs I get in the future for both hips and elbows, even though I would never be a breeder.

[gagsd]

If your do won't sit straight, or down in a perfect "sphinx," or refuses jumps.... It is very important in my mind to rule out orthopedic issues.

[KatsMuse]

I don't breed either but, X-ray all my dogs.

I do a prelim first, especially if they are going to work, exercise a lot or do any sports.

(It's important for ME to know my dog is healthy and structure is sound.)

If they do have any problems, I want to know about it and be able to manage any problems as they age.

Kat

[lhczth]

I do prelims because I want to know what is going on before I start working my young dogs seriously. For breeders it is very helpful when our puppy people do at least prelims so we can keep track of how our dogs are producing. It would be nice if everyone did OFA or 'a'stamps (hips/elbows) on their dogs, but at least good prelims help.