What are the Differences Between
PennHIP and OFA?

Geordan "Puppy-Sitting"!
(Kids and pups go together! Heidi litter Feb. 2003)

The The OFA was started in 1966. Three OFA certified radiologists grade the hip joints of dogs based on a single view of the hips, the hip-extended view and the grade or evaluation is subjective in nature. Historically, greater than 25% of the time the three experts do not agree as to the exact grade or evaluation of the hips. The OFA has a huge database of x-ray and disease evaluations of more than 133 different breeds. The OFA manages databases of 17 different animal diseases that are thought to be heritable or genetically related. The OFA seeks funds and awards grants to study these diseases.

PennHIP was started in 1993. PennHIP's focus is primarily on hip joint disease and PennHIP uses a different and more scientific way to assess, measure and interpret hip joint laxity. PennHIP uses three different X-ray views (the distraction view, the compression view and the hip-extended view) to evaluate the hip joint.

Overall, PennHIP offers an objective scientific (and more accurate) method to grade dogs for hip joint disease and predict which individuals will develop hip dysplasia.