Miniature Poodle Health
Every dog, either purebred or a mixed breed is susceptible to genetic diseases. When a dog is bred by a truly reputable breeder, that breeder will fully health test both parents BEFORE they are ever bred together. Reputable breeders do this to try their very best to make sure the offspring will never have any genetic ailments. When you get a well bred puppy you are paying for all the genetic testing done on both parents and the titles each parent may have gotten either in conformation, or performance. Purchasing a dog with “papers” does not mean that you are purchasing a well bred dog, when you purchase a well bred dog they should come from parents that have been proven in the show ring to be an excellent specimen of the breed. Anyone can take two purebred registered dogs and get the puppies registered. What makes a dog highly quality is the proven quality of both parents, the genetic and physical health clearances from both parents and the temperament that has been bred into those lines for many years by reputable breeders. Please do not be fooled by “breeders” who sell dogs with registration papers and charge the same amount as a breeder who exhibits their dogs in the show ring, fully health tests and registers their puppies with a real registration body (ie The Canadian Kennel Club or The American Kennel Club).
This information is here for other breeders, Miniature Poodle owners and people interested in the breed know what genetic ailments can possible effect the breed.
We want to be as open and honest about the genetic and physical health of our dogs as possible, We have taken every precaution to breed the healthiest dogs possible. If you have a dog from us, even if they are spayed or neutered pet, please consider having them OFA Hip scored (x-ray and then submitted to OFA for grading) and CERF/CAER eye testing by a Canine Ophthalmologist after the age of 2. This information is so important to our breeding program and can help us make better breeding decisions in the future. It is also for the health of your pet. Please contact us if you need assistance finding these specialists in your area.
Below are descriptions of the most common genetic ailments found in Miniature Poodles. This may look like a long list, it is important to note that all breeds have health issues. Mix-breeds can have the same health issues found in BOTH breeds! Do not be fooled by the “mutts are healthier then purebreds” this is genetically impossible…..genes do not just disappear!
This information is here for other breeders, Miniature Poodle owners and people interested in the breed know what genetic ailments can possible effect the breed.
We want to be as open and honest about the genetic and physical health of our dogs as possible, We have taken every precaution to breed the healthiest dogs possible. If you have a dog from us, even if they are spayed or neutered pet, please consider having them OFA Hip scored (x-ray and then submitted to OFA for grading) and CERF/CAER eye testing by a Canine Ophthalmologist after the age of 2. This information is so important to our breeding program and can help us make better breeding decisions in the future. It is also for the health of your pet. Please contact us if you need assistance finding these specialists in your area.
Below are descriptions of the most common genetic ailments found in Miniature Poodles. This may look like a long list, it is important to note that all breeds have health issues. Mix-breeds can have the same health issues found in BOTH breeds! Do not be fooled by the “mutts are healthier then purebreds” this is genetically impossible…..genes do not just disappear!
Click on the photos to access links to learn more about these health issues
Hip Dysplacia |
Patellar Luxation |
Juvenile Cateracts |
Progressive Retinal Atrophy, prcd |
Neonatal Encephalopathy with Seizures, NEWS |
Congenital Macrothrombocytopenia |
GM2 Gangliosidosis |
Osteochondrodysplasia, Skeletal Dwarfism |
Von Willebrand Disease Type I |
Degenerative Myelopathy, DM |
Why Do We X-Ray Hips?
People often ask if we test hips, but they dont really know the reason for getting the hips tested or what we are testing for.
Have you ever been standing all day at work and at the end of the day your joints are so sore and irritated? We have! Dogs that have hip dysplasia feel like this all the time.
Simply put, the socket of the joint isn’t deep enough to contain the femur, and keep it in place.
Dogs with hip dysplasia may tire easily, be irritable and grouchy because when they walk, their hip joint becomes detached. OUCH!!!
A shallow hip socket ultimately caused the femur head to rub the bone in various places which can pinch nerves. Ultimately the muscles surrounding the joint do the work to keep it in place.
In young dogs, still growing and maturing, this would not be visual. The puppy is playful and strong. This is because the joint is small, the muscles firm and the bones pliable. As the dog ages, there is more strain put on the joint due to mass of the dog.
This is why hip x-rays are conducted at 2 years of age, Once the dog is mature and the joints have finished developing.
While Miniature Poodles are less prone to hip dysplasia, we still do the hip x-ray because a miniature poodle should be able to do the same activities as a standard!
Our Miniature Poodles will not be bred without a passing hip x-ray. While as breeders we are prepared to deal with anything that develops in our puppies, it is truly devastating to hear that a family is ill fated with a puppy who’s parents weren’t tested or failed and as a result their puppy develops dysplasia.
Not unlike a lot of of health testing, hip x-rays determine the heath of the joint of the dog in question. While this is a strong guideline for any reputable breeder, this doesn’t predict the health of the puppies. But knowingly breeding two dogs without hip x-rays, increases the chances of producing an issue that could have otherwise been avoided.
Written By Our Good Friend
~Laura K. S. Shaw~
Bellaclan Border Collies
Have you ever been standing all day at work and at the end of the day your joints are so sore and irritated? We have! Dogs that have hip dysplasia feel like this all the time.
Simply put, the socket of the joint isn’t deep enough to contain the femur, and keep it in place.
Dogs with hip dysplasia may tire easily, be irritable and grouchy because when they walk, their hip joint becomes detached. OUCH!!!
A shallow hip socket ultimately caused the femur head to rub the bone in various places which can pinch nerves. Ultimately the muscles surrounding the joint do the work to keep it in place.
In young dogs, still growing and maturing, this would not be visual. The puppy is playful and strong. This is because the joint is small, the muscles firm and the bones pliable. As the dog ages, there is more strain put on the joint due to mass of the dog.
This is why hip x-rays are conducted at 2 years of age, Once the dog is mature and the joints have finished developing.
While Miniature Poodles are less prone to hip dysplasia, we still do the hip x-ray because a miniature poodle should be able to do the same activities as a standard!
Our Miniature Poodles will not be bred without a passing hip x-ray. While as breeders we are prepared to deal with anything that develops in our puppies, it is truly devastating to hear that a family is ill fated with a puppy who’s parents weren’t tested or failed and as a result their puppy develops dysplasia.
Not unlike a lot of of health testing, hip x-rays determine the heath of the joint of the dog in question. While this is a strong guideline for any reputable breeder, this doesn’t predict the health of the puppies. But knowingly breeding two dogs without hip x-rays, increases the chances of producing an issue that could have otherwise been avoided.
Written By Our Good Friend
~Laura K. S. Shaw~
Bellaclan Border Collies
Is My Dog Too Fat?
This Chart below is an excellent way to tell if your pet is too skinny, too fat or just right! Please remember that having your dog in good weight their whole life will help them live a longer healthier life!
