Health Testing

 Health testing can be performed for a variety of different illnesses, conformation faults and inherited conditions, and can be performed on both the dam and sire intended for breeding, and the puppies that they produce. In some cases, health testing and genetic testing can give a clear yes or no answer as to the presence of a disease, fault or problem in its early stages. However, in the case of most health checks, a result is given on a sliding scale going from a minimal level of risk, up to a high level or almost absolute certainty.  

What health tests the dam, sire or puppies may undergo will depend on the particular risk factors for each breed; health testing can prove expensive and understandably, if a breed is perceived to be at risk for some conditions but not others, only the tests for the relevant conditions will be undergone.

The main conditions and risk factors that are currently available as tests for dogs and puppies are:

• Hip dysplasia
• Elbow dysplasia
• Eye disease
• DNA screening for genetic abnormalities in both carriers and affected dogs

By health testing parents, grandparents and great grandparents, you’re decreasing the likelihood of your puppy developing preventable diseases. Inheritable diseases are heartbreaking, they can cripple young dogs and significantly shorten their lives. 

Now, there is a slight chance puppies can develop diseases even if parents are health tested, but the chances of a healthy dog greatly improves.

Poodle – Miniature

• Hip Evaluation
• Ophthalmologist Evaluation
• PRA Optigen DNA Test
• Patella Evaluation 

Poodle – Standard

• Hip Evaluation
• Ophthalmologist Evaluation

Donnchada Poodles have years of health testing in our breeding program. Our breeding stock is health tested and we have generations of testing to stand behind. By health testing parents, grandparents and great grandparents, you’re decreasing the likelihood of your puppy developing preventable diseases. now, there is always a slight chance puppies can develop diseases even if parents are health tested, but it’s it best to try and eliminate health issues that can be ruled out by genetic health testing. 

At Donnchada priority is given to breeding the best in health, conformation, and temperament. Donnchada Poodles strictly adheres to the AKC Breed Standard before a Poodle is accepted into our breeding program, genetic testing is completed and passed for the following:

• Hips
• Patellas
• Eyes
• Heart
• Thyroid
• Sebaceous Adenitis (SZ)
• Von Willebrand’s disease
• Neonatal Encephalopathy

The OFA has generations of genetic testing done on Donnchada Poodles, visit the OFA website to learn more about the importance of health testing.