Standard Poodle Health Information
Unfortunately, the Poodles as a breed suffer from a number of congenital and hereditary diseases. Do not let this interfere with your decision of owning a Standard Poodle. A responsible breeder, with appropriate breeding practices, will provide to you a new member of your family with minimal chances of inherited diseases. Not only is this advantageous for the breed, but it can give to you and your family a lifelong companion with minimal ailments. We are not only breeding for an ideal show dog, but for an ideal companion. Prior to the purchase of your puppy, we will provide to you health certificates of both the damsel and the sire. The following will familiarize you with common diseases and health testing your Standard Poodle should have done: |
 |
| Disease | Testing | Schedule for Testing | Where |
| Hips for hip joint dysplasia and Elbows for elbow dysplasia | Hip and Elbow X-Ray | After 2nd birthday for OFA | Most vets
are experienced with hip and elbow x-rays. These films are sent
to the registry for reading. Sedation is not required or recommended. |
| Skin for Sebaceous adenitis (SA) | Two small skin biopsies done in the midline near the shoulders | After 2nd birthday and annually thereafter | Vet can take biopsies, then these are sent to a certified dermatopathologist. |
| Eyes for progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) | Eye examination | At 8 weeks and annually thereafter | Vet that is board certified by the American College of Vet Ophthalmologists |
| DNA for Von Willebrand’s disease (vWd) | Cheek swab sample | Anytime after birth | VETGEN |
| Blood
for thyroid malfunction |
Blood sample | Subsequent to sexual maturity in males between heat cycles (12-16 wks following onset of heat) in females | www.offa.org for approved labs |
Please see the following link for an extensive library of information: http://www.poodleclubofamerica.org/health.htm.
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