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Our estimated breeding values (EBVs) predict whether a dog is more or less likely to have, and pass on genes, related to hip/elbow dysplasia. EBVs link the information about dog's family with data from the BVA/KC health schemes. They tell us how the individual dog compares to the rest of the breed:

• A dog with an EBV that is a minus number has a lower than average risk of having genes linked to hip/elbow dysplasia
• The higher the EBV (the further towards the red), the higher the risk
• The confidence reflects how much data was used to calculate the EBV
• If the score reads as ‘N/A’, the dog has not been tested under the BVA/KC Schemes. This is typically reflected in a lower confidence score of the EBV for this dog. Please note, results from alternative schemes do not contribute to The Kennel Club dataset and therefore are not included in the EBV calculation.

Genes increase or decrease the chances of a dog developing hip/elbow dysplasia, but the overall health of the dog's joints is also affected by lifestyle, diet, exercise etc. 

EBV Breeding advice: Ideally breeders should use dogs that that have an EBV which is lower than average (i.e. a minus number) and preferably with a confidence rating of at least 60%.

Find out more about Estimated Breeding Values and what your results mean.