***Breeding a dog with Mild Hip Dysplasia. There are many factors we considered when deciding to breed Coco after she received a hip score of Mild Hip Dysplasia. Although it cannot be proven, we have significant reason to believe her hip score was due to an unfortunate injury she had as a puppy and is not genetic. Other than the score she received on her hips, Coco is in every other way an excellent, above average, healthy Poodle. We do take Hip Dysplasia extremely seriously and we strive for the highest ethical standards when breeding. We also recognize that hips are only one piece in a very large puzzle of the overall health, structure, genetics, wellness, personality, and temperament of the dog. With the approval of our vet, we have decided that Coco is still an excellent breeding candidate as long as she is carefully paired with a male that will compliment her. The Institute of Canine Biology used research done by the OFA to write an article showing that females with a score of Mild Hip Dysplasia paired with males with an Excellent Hip score produced puppies whose hips rated even better than the product of a dog with good hips paired with a dog with fair hips, or two dogs with fair hips. The article can be viewed here: Citizen Scientists: Let's do something about hip dysplasia! - The Institute of Canine Biology.  With careful consideration and vet supervision we chose to breed Coco to Thor who has a score of Excellent OFA hips.