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HEALTH We breed to decrease the incidence of hereditary disease. We test for Diabetes, a complete Thyroid panel and screening for Addisons disease. We test all parents and eradicate from our breeding program any poodle that shows signs of any hereditary diseases. We have a two-year guarantee against any of the four genetic diseases.
HIPS Hip dysplasia literally means an abnormality in the development of the hip joint. Standard Poodles are one of a set of animals that are prone to this genetically passed disease. We register our dogs with the Orthopedic Foundation of America (OFA) through hip x-rays. The x-rays are performed by a veterinarian who is a respected orthopedic specialist. OFA good or excellent are the best ratings, but one of fair is still passing and can still be bred. We have only used dogs from excellent and good backgrounds in our breeding program. SKIN Sebaceous Adenitis or SA is considered by some to be hereditary. This disease is the progressive deterioration of the sebaceous glands necessary for a dog to have good skin and hair. It can range from virtually undetectable (carriers-sub clinical) and progressing to full-blown. Full-blown SA is very ugly with the skin looking very rough and the hair falling out. In all other respects, SA does not affect the dog's health. An SA affected dog can be a very happy, normal dog but is just very unattractive in appearance and requires a lot of additional maintenance. EYES Progressive Retinal Atrophy or PRA is a retinal disease that causes blindness. To screen breeding stock, testing of the eyes is done by a certified ophthalmologist. This type of specialist is qualified to annually examine and certify that they are clear. They issue the paperwork from the board and certify that our dog's eyes were certified clear. VON WILLEBRANDS A dog with VWD is a dog that is unable to produce enough protein (clotting factor) to stop bleeding that may occur through a trauma, surgery, or through whelping. A dog with VWD can then bleed to death. The test is relatively easy and when the test results come back "clear", they are always a clear. A "carrier" is always a carrier. This test is a once-in-a-lifetime test. The test has helped a great deal in eradicating Von Willebrand's Disease in Standard Poodles. Even when the sire and dam have been tested for many generations and found free of specific hereditary health problems, there is absolutely no guarantee that a puppy will not develop one of these problems. By purchasing a puppy from a breeder who tests breeding stock, it considerably increases your chances of getting a healthy puppy. A reputable breeder should give you a written guarantee for the puppy's health and temperament. A responsible breeder should also screen all breeding stock for hereditary health problems prior to using the dog in a breeding program. We look forward to the day when DNA markers will be established for these diseases and we will only have to perform one simple blood test to determine whether a dog has them or will produce them. Testing the way it is done now is very tedious, expensive and never ending. Please see John Armstrong's website Diversity in Poodles for more information on origins, history and genealogy of Poodles. Karen Allen Cumming, GA 30028 Phone: (404) 906-3974 KCAllen@mthopestandardpoodles.com
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