If you had your dog x-rayed at one year by your regular vet and sent to OFA and got a grade 1 back from that one Vet who reads them there. Would you, having a very nice dog, take him to a specialist for an x-ray and second opinion now or a few months later or at all ? I would appreciate thoughts.

Are you asking about preliminaries? I had my boy's hips checked at 6 months by my vet just to see if they looked decent. He was the product of a supposedly "OFA" prelim sire that was good on the hips/clear on the elbows. Well, needless to say, I had his OFA's done last week and we don't think his one elbow is going to clear -- So, IMHO, I would NEVER again purchase a puppy on a prelim, NOR would I breed to a prelim. I believe the saying is "Caveat Emptor" Unfortunately a very sad situation for me

If you are interested in pursuing this with your dog, I would just wait until the dog is 2 years, do the full on OFA for both hips and elbows and then get your rating. Make any further decisions from that point.

My concern is, one, falling more in love with the dog, two the investment you make showing, food, etc. It has been 3 months since pre lims and was just thinking of going on and having to make the hard decision but getting a second opinion first. And Debi I am not one of those who breeds on pre lims. Not even the question. Understand what you are saying. Sorry you are having to go though all that.

Personally, I would never give up on a good dog based on one person's opinion. I don't care if they are from the OFA. The OFA makes mistakes sometimes. In the event there is a problem with this dog's elbows and your intention is to place him should that be the case, I would do it again now. I would find the best orthopedic specialist in my area and get their opinion. If they say he looks fine, wait until the dog turns 2 and resubmit to OFA for finals.