OFA hip grades and elbow grades in plain language
Thousands of stud adverts say "OFA Good", but few buyers know what it promises. The system is simple once you see the full scale. This VerifiedStuds guide explains every grade for hips and elbows, and shows you how to check a result yourself.
The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals grades a hip x-ray on a seven-step scale. Three radiologists score each film. Then the final grade is their consensus.
Grade
Status
What it means
Excellent
Normal
A deep socket with a tight, well-seated ball
Good
Normal
A well-formed joint with good coverage
Fair
Normal
Minor irregularities, but still within normal limits
Borderline
Unclear
No agreement; a repeat x-ray is advised in about six months
Mild
Dysplastic
The ball sits partly out of a shallow socket
Moderate
Dysplastic
Clear looseness, often with early arthritis
Severe
Dysplastic
The ball is largely out of the socket, with arthritis
Excellent, Good and Fair all pass, and each receives an OFA number. So a Fair hip is a normal hip. In other words, it is not a warning.
Dogs with any of the three passing grades are considered suitable for breeding on hips. Even so, grade is only part of the picture. Hip dysplasia involves many genes, so a Good dog from a family of Good and Excellent hips is a safer bet than an Excellent dog whose siblings failed.
For that reason, OFA shows relatives. On a dog's page you can see the results of parents, siblings and offspring when those are public. Breeders call this vertical pedigree, and it is worth the two minutes it takes.
OFA issues a final hip grade only when the dog is at least 24 months old. Before that, it offers preliminary evaluations from four months of age. OFA's own radiologist reads them, so they are useful for early decisions.
However, a prelim is not a clearance. OFA's own data show that prelims are fairly reliable, especially after 12 months, yet a few dogs change grade by two years. Therefore, check whether a stud's result is final. An OFA number containing the dog's age in months tells you.
Elbows use a shorter scale. First, a normal elbow receives an OFA number. An abnormal elbow is graded by how much arthritis shows:
Grade
What it means
Normal
No sign of elbow dysplasia or arthritis
Grade I
Minimal bone change, under 2 mm
Grade II
Moderate bone change, 2 to 5 mm
Grade III
Marked arthritis, with change over 5 mm
Elbow dysplasia is a group of conditions, including a fragmented coronoid process and an ununited anconeal process. In short, any grade from I to III means the dog has elbow dysplasia. As a result, most parent clubs advise against breeding dogs with a graded elbow, even Grade I.
Go to the OFA website and use the search box.
Enter the dog's registered name or registration number, not his call name.
Open his page. It lists each test, the result, the date and his age at the time.
Check the relatives shown beneath, where available.
If a stud's result is missing, ask why. Owners can choose to keep failing results private, so an absent result should prompt a question. In contrast, a genuine clearance always appears.
Not every dog is graded by OFA. PennHIP measures hip looseness and reports a distraction index. Read OFA vs PennHIP. Imported dogs may carry FCI grades from A to E, a British BVA score, or the German "a" stamp. However, all of these are legitimate. Ask the owner for the certificate, and compare like with like.
Joint grades are one item on a breed's health list. Others may include eyes, heart and DNA tests, and a CHIC number shows that the full list was completed. See the health testing guides for your breed.
Ready to compare? Then find a health-tested stud, and check prices in the stud fee guide. Stud owners can list their stud free. This page is general information, not veterinary advice.
Is OFA Fair a passing grade?
Yes. Fair is within normal limits, and the dog receives an OFA number.
What is the best OFA hip grade?
Excellent is the top grade. Good is the most common passing grade.
Can a dog with Borderline hips be bred?
Not on that result. OFA advises repeating the x-ray after about six months to reach a clear grade.
At what age are OFA hip grades final?
At 24 months or older. Earlier results are preliminary.
Should a dog with Grade I elbows be bred?
Most parent clubs advise against it, because any graded elbow means elbow dysplasia is present.
Sources: Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, hip dysplasia, Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, elbow dysplasia, Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, CHIC program.
Every profile shows his results, and you can verify them on OFA.