I don't know the exact steps that have to be taken, you can probably find out on the akc webpage or doing a web search for OFA I think it is that certifies hips. From the retriever club web page I am looking at, they want the certification on or after 24 months old.

Personally, I think a certification is a darn good thing. I had my GSP xrayed for a bladder infection that would not go away. The vet wanted to nueter him, and I was interested in breeding. The infection was really bad, went away under antibiotics, but came back as soon as they were done.

So the vet arranged the xrays to show my dog's hips. The vet showed me on the xray how my dog's weren't formed ideally into a ball and socket. He said they probably wont give my dog much trouble really, but not a trait that we want to pass on.

I agreed. As great as Jake is, I don't want to breed him and get one of his offspring that has hip problems. Not fair to the dog at all.

So whatever the process is, I think they are good things. Good luck, I hope it all looks good! We are getting a female black lab in October that we are considering breeding if things work out.

--Jim