The following are questions that you should use as a guide to ask a breeder before buying a Standard Poodle.
Standard Poodles are prone to certain genetic maladies just like all breeds.
Be sure you are purchasing your Standard Poodle from a reputable breeder that does the appropriate genetic testing and breeds to the AKC Breed Standard. The tests listed below are just a basic guide that all breeders should perform on all breeding stock. There are many more tests that can be preformed should a breeder wish. Please be informed about the breed and exactly what the tests are and what test should be preformed prior to asking questions. An informed buyer is someone that knows about the breed and has a step up on education in the breed and what to look for in a puppy. There is no guarantee that even though parents of a litter have been tested that a puppy will not develop some sort of genetic disease within it's lifetime, but having genetic testing done on all breeding stock lowers the chances of incidences.
The following is a guideline to use when speaking to breeders about possible puppies and their line of Standard Poodles. Use this as a tool to make the very best and educated decision about your new Standard Poodle. There is a printer friendly version at the bottom of the page you can access to print an easy to use guide while you are on the phone.
Breeders usually love to talk about their Standard Poodle and the line of Standard Poodle that they have produced. Please ask to see copies of all genetic testing.
Have the dam and sire's hips been x-rayed for hip dysplasia?
This is a condition in which the head of the femur fits improperly into the hip joint socket, causing Pain and lameness. Pain killers and/or surgery are the usual treatments. If answer to this questions is no, decline to buy a puppy. Hip dysplasia is a degenerative disorder but can be diagnosed as early as six months of age. Hip dysplasia can be a painful and crippling disorder which in some cases can be treated by expensive surgery.
For further information: offa.org
Have the dam and sire been tested for sebaceous adenitis within the past years?
Is there any history of sebaceous adenitis in relatives of the sire and dam?
SA is a skin disorder which causes hair loss and skin flaking and thickening. There is no cure. For further information: offa.org
Is there any history of the line having Liver Shunts?
Liver Shunts are abnormal vascular connections between the hepatic portal vein and systemic circulation. Such anomalies cause blood in the gastrointestinal tract to be diverted past the liver, there by limiting the liver's vital functions in metabolism and detoxification of compounds.
Have the dam and sire had a DNA test for vWD, von Willebrand's Disease?
This is a disorder that involves a tendency to bleed easily, is caused by a deficiency in the von Willebrand factor, a protein found in the blood plasma. As with PRA and hip dysplasia, VWD testing is recommended. For further information: vetgen.com
Have the dam and sire had their eyes tested regularly for progressive retinal atrophy and other hereditary eye diseases?
A puppy carrying two genes for PRA has the potential to go totally blind at any age. There is no cure for progressive retinal atrophy. For further information: vmdb.org/cerf
Has breeding stock been tested for thyroid malfunction?
This is a condition resulting from an inadequate production of thyroid hormone. Also treated with drug therapy, its symptoms include a coarse, brittle coat that falls out, thickening and discoloration of the skin, lethargy, obesity, mental slowness and irregular heart cycles.
Has breeding stock been tested for Mitral Valve Disease?
The heart consists of 4 chambers - 2 atria and 2 ventricles. The atrioventricular (AV) valves ensure that the blood flows from the atria to the ventricles when the heart beats. A defect in the mitral valve (the left atrioventricular valve) causes backflow of blood into the left atrium, or mitral regurgitation. Less commonly, a narrowing or stenosis of the valve can be identified. Because of the leaky valve, the heart is less efficient at pumping blood to the body.
Has screening been done for Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA)?
A decrease in the number of red blood cells (RBC's) or the amount of hemoglobin, resulting in a decrease in the oxygen- carrying capacity of the blood.
Has testing been done for Cushings Disease?
This is a disease that occurs from the overproduction of cortisone by the adrenal glands.
Has screening been done for Addison's disease?
This is a disorder caused by a deficiency in adreno cortical hormones most commonly occurring in young to middle aged dogs.
Has testing been done for juvenile diabetes?
Juvenile renal disease (JRD) and other congenital or familial forms of renal dysplasia are seen in about twenty breeds of dogs including The Standard Poodle. According to Kenneth Bovee, DVM, (Professor of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania), the clinical entity has considerable variation from breed to breed and has completely different prevalence rates. A table which lists all of the congenital and familial renal diseases of dogs by breed can be found in Veterinary Pediatrics Dogs & Cats from Birth to Six Months.
Has there been any occurrence of bloat or gastric torsion, seizure, epilepsy, hemolytic anemia, allergic skin diseases, thrombocytopenia, allergic gastroenteritis in the sire or dam or their relatives?
These problems can be hereditary and seem to be more prevalent in some lines.
How many years of experience does the breeder have?
How many liters a year do they produce and for what reason?
Most breeders that breed for the AKC breed standard breed only one time a year. If the answer is 'for the money', decline to purchase a puppy. These people do not have the welfare of the Standard Poodle as a priority.
Does the breeder sell pets only on a spay/neuter contract?
The breeder that does sell on contract cares enough about the animal to assure that it is not being used and abused as a puppy mill dog. It also shows that the breeder is concerned about pet overpopulation and maintaining the DOG as a quality breed.
Is the breeder willing to take the animal back if you can no longer keep it?
Reputable breeders will request that should the buyer not be able to keep the pup that the pup be returned to the breeder.
Ask for at least three references from people who own puppies purchased from this breeder. Ask each about their dog's health and temperament.
Names & Phone numbers:
If you are able to purchase a puppy locally:
Ask to look at the whelping room and puppy areas. Note total environment.
Record the answer to each of the following:
Ask about the breeder's older Standard Poodle and their life expectancy. Standard Poodles have been known to live anywhere from 12- 20 years!
Take your puppy to your veterinarian within 48 hours. Your puppy should be examined thoroughly. If problems are found return puppy immediately to the breeder with the veterinarian's report. The breeder should be willing to guarantee the puppy's health.
Genetic testing is done to help breeders avoid passing on genetically transmitted diseases and anomalies. There is no line of living creatures totally free of genetic problems, including humans, but the incidence of problems can be markedly decreased by careful and selective breeding. Take each of these points into consideration when choosing your next Standard Poodle.