Understanding Health Testing and Risk Factors Australian Shepherds

Orthopedic Screening for
Australian Shepherd: Why It Matters

Orthopedic health is a critical aspect of responsible breeding and long-term care in Australian Shepherds. While these energetic and intelligent dogs are beloved for their athleticism and drive, they can be genetically predisposed to joint and skeletal issues, particularly in the hips, elbows, and shoulders. Early detection through orthopedic screening supports ethical breeding, ensures sound movement, and promotes lifelong mobility.

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Essential Orthopedic Evaluations for Australian Shepherds

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OFA Hip & Elbow Evaluations

What it is:
Standard radiographic screening evaluated by three board-certified radiologists through the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA). Results are graded for conformation and any signs of hip or elbow dysplasia.

When it’s done:

• Official OFA Certification: 24 months and older

• Preliminary Evaluation: Available from 4 months of age for early insight

Why it matters:
Hip and elbow dysplasia can be painful and debilitating. Detecting signs early allows breeders to make informed decisions and owners to plan supportive care strategies.

PennHIP Evaluation

What it is:
A precise radiographic method developed by the University of Pennsylvania to measure hip joint laxity. It quantifies risk for hip dysplasia through a Distraction Index (DI).

Why it’s more precise:

• Detects risk as early as 16 weeks old

• Offers a numerical DI score rather than subjective grading

• Identifies subtle joint looseness before dysplasia develops

Ideal for:

• All breeding dogs

• High-drive, working, or performance Aussies

OFA Shoulder Evaluation (Optional)

What it checks:
Orthopedic screening for Osteochondritis Dissecans (OCD)—a developmental joint disease that affects the shoulder cartilage, sometimes seen in medium-to-large breeds including Aussies.

Who should be tested:

• Performance dogs

• Dogs with known OCD in pedigree

• Breeding stock from lines with previous shoulder issues

OFA Eye Certification (ACVO Exam)

What it is:
Annual eye examination performed by a veterinary ophthalmologist, looking for structural or hereditary eye conditions (e.g., collie eye anomaly, cataracts).

Why it matters:
Australian Shepherds are genetically predisposed to several eye issues that may impact vision or quality of life.

OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals) Grading Summary

Hips:

• Excellent: Tight, well-formed joints

• Good: Normal, healthy joint formation

• Fair: Slightly less ideal but still within acceptable range

• Borderline: Recheck recommended in 6 months

• Mild/Moderate/Severe Dysplasia: Joint abnormalities—not recommended for breeding

Elbows:

• Normal: No dysplasia detected

• Grade 1–3: Increasing severity of joint degeneration or abnormalities

PennHIP (University of Pennsylvania Hip Improvement Program)

Distraction Index (DI):

• Lower DI (closer to 0): Tighter hips, lower lifetime risk

• Higher DI (closer to 1): Looser hips, higher lifetime risk

Benchmark for Australian Shepherds:
DI under 0.30–0.40 is typically ideal. Dogs with DI below the breed median are better suited for breeding.

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How to Look Up OFA Scores &

Evaluate Orthopedic Health in Breeding Dogs

Orthopedic screening—particularly for hip and elbow dysplasia, patellas, and Legg-Calvé-Perthes Disease—is an essential part of selecting quality breeding dogs. But evaluating a dog’s health isn’t just about checking their individual scores. You should also assess the consistency of sound orthopedic health in their lineage, including siblings, parents, grandparents, and even aunts/uncles.

Here’s how to do it step by step:

Step 1: Visit the OFA Website

• Go to www.ofa.org

• Click on the “Search OFA Records” tab at the top.

• You can search by:

  • Dog’s registered name

  • Dog’s registration number

  • Partial name or kennel prefix (if you’re browsing lines)

Tip: Use the dog’s full AKC-registered name for the most accurate results.

Step 2: Review the Dog’s OFA Record Page

Once you’ve selected a dog, you’ll see a page with a list of all recorded health tests. Focus on the orthopedic categories:

Key Evaluations:

• Hips – Rated as:

  • Excellent

  • Good

  • Fair

  • Borderline

  • Mild/Moderate/Severe Dysplasia (these indicate a failed certification)

• Elbows – Normal or Grade 1–3 (1–3 indicating dysplasia)

• Patellas – Normal or Grades 1–4 (grades indicate increasing severity of luxation)

• Shoulders (Normal or affected, if tested)

Each record will show:

• Age at time of evaluation

• Final result

• Registry (OFA, PennHIP, etc.)

• If radiographs were preliminary or official

Step 3: Examine the Dog’s Relatives

At the bottom of the OFA record, you’ll find a "Vertical Pedigree"—this is an essential tool for evaluating risk from a genetic standpoint.

What to look for:

• Consistency of good scores (e.g., Good or Excellent hips) in:

  • Both parents

  • Siblings (especially full littermates)

  • Grandparents

  • Aunts, uncles, half-siblings

• Avoid lines where:

  • Most littermates or parents have “Fair” or below scores.

  • There’s a pattern of failed hip or elbow certifications in close relatives.

  • One “Excellent” is surrounded by a sea of “Poor” relatives—that’s often a statistical outlier.

Why This Matters:

Genetics is about probability. Even if the individual dog has an “Excellent” rating, if its parents or siblings have mild or severe dysplasia, that dog still carries genetic material likely to pass on orthopedic problems.

Example:
If two parents produce one pup with Excellent hips and three with Moderate dysplasia, it means the genetic background is unstable. That excellent pup may look like a good candidate but is statistically more likely to pass on bad hips compared to a dog whose litter and family consistently have Good/Excellent scores.

Step 4: Cross-reference with PennHIP (if available)

If the breeder also shares PennHIP results, review the Distraction Index (DI):

• A lower DI (0.3–0.4 or less) means tighter hips and lower risk.

• A higher DI (>0.5) suggests looser hips and increased risk, even if the dog hasn’t yet developed dysplasia.

• Look for consistency across generations here, too.

Final Tips for Breeding Soundness

• Don’t be fooled by a single score. Look at the pattern of health across 2–3 generations.

• Breeders aiming to improve the breed prioritize lines with:

  • Low, consistent DI scores

  • Multiple generations of Excellent or Good hips

  • Normal elbows, patellas, and skeletal health

• Always combine orthopedic data with overall conformation, temperament, and breed-specific health testing.