We’re not surprised by the results but it’s certainly a relief to have the official reading: Moses & Abria both have normal hips per OFA! Genetic and environmental factors play a role in your goldendoodle’s risk for developing hip dysplasia. Because we want to set your goldendoodle puppy up for success, we test the parent dogs before breeding them to decrease the possibility of a genetic predisposition. To test for hip dysplasia, an experienced veterinarian takes x-rays of the dog’s hips and those x-rays are then sent to OFA where three specialized veterinarians examine them to determine the official reading.
We’re happy to report that your puppy comes from health-tested parents so fortunately the hereditary aspect is minimized. Even so, because puppy bones and joint are immature, many environmental factors influence hip health, especially during the first 6 months of your puppy’s life. There are a few things you can do during to help ensure that your puppy doesn’t develop hip dysplasia. First, don’t over exercise your puppy or encourage her to exercise when she’s tired. General puppy gallivanting around your backyard is important for muscle development, but do not take your puppy on walks longer than a mile and never take your young puppy on a run. If your puppy lies down on a walk, it’s her way of saying she’s had enough. Allow her to rest and don’t push her to go any further. Second, stairs and any jumping should be avoided until at least 6 months of age. At 6 months old, a goldendoodle puppy can jump over something about 4″ in height. Also be careful not to let your goldendoodle puppy jump off of an elevated surface like a couch or out of a car, as injuries can easily happen. Lastly, weight is important throughout your goldendoodle’s life because obese dogs of any age are more likely to develop hip dysplasia. By being careful not to over exercise your goldendoodle puppy, not allowing her to jump or use stairs, and helping her maintain a healthy weight throughout her life you are playing your part in helping prevent her from developing hip dysplasia. If you are interested in learning more about hip dysplasia, check out this article from the United States Dog Agility Association (USDAA).