What is the KC/BVA Hip Dysplasia Scheme?
The hip dysplasia scheme is run by the British Veterinary Association in conjunction with the UK Kennel Club. Dysplasia means abnormal development and in the case of hips it means abnormal development of the hips. The degree of hip dysplasia present is indicated by a score assigned to each hip. The hip score is the sum of the points awarded for each of nine aspects of the X-rays of both hip joints. The minimum hip score is 0 and the maximum is 106 (53 for each hip), the lower the score the less the degree of hip dysplasia present. An average (or mean) score (referred to as the ‘Breed Mean Score’ – BMS) is calculated for all breeds scored under the scheme and advice for breeders is to use only breeding stock with scores well below the breed mean score. The current BMS for cocker spaniels is 13 (total of both hips) – [2009/2010] The minimum age for hip scoring is one year, and each dog is only ever scored once under the scheme. For a more detailed explanation about the hip scoring proced
