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Why is testing important? What does Naper Doodles test?
Choosing a hybrid dog, one that
acquires its genes from two distinct
"varieties" of the canine species, is a good first step to ensuring
a healthy life for your four-legged companion. But the scientifically proven
'hybrid vigor' is not enough. There are many genetic issues that
may show up *even* in a hybrid dog if they are not screened for in the
parents. As responsible breeders, Naper Doodles tests for the
following:
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Hip Dysplasia
can range from a reluctance to exercise, to severe crippling.
A dog with hip dysplasia may be unable to go up stairs, have
difficulty rising from a sitting position, lameness after
exercise, and even a dramatic change in disposition due to pain.
Treatment for HD ranges from rotating the pelvis at about $1200
per hip, to total hip replacement for $2400 per hip. High
quality breeders attain good scores using either
OFA or
PennHIP
testing before they breed. Naper Doodles secures promising scores from both OFA and PennHIP
before breeding. Both tests involve
taking X-Rays that are examined by trained experts to get a
reading on the propensity (or lack thereof) for a dog to
suffer from hip dysplasia. Goldendoodles.com has a great
tutorial on hip dysplasia. OFA measures
the conformation of each hip joint: the formation of the socket,
joint space and seating of the femoral head. PennHIP assesses
the quality of the hip and measures hip joint laxity. During the
same X-ray session our dogs are also OFA tested for
Elbow Dysplasia.
-
Hereditable eye diseases
are screened for in annual
CERF
testing by a Veterinary
Opthamologist. CERF checks for ocular diseases, but more
importantly cataracts, lesions, Y-sutures, PPM's, distichiasis,
rolling eyelids, and many more. All breeding dogs should be tested
for CERF annually and negative results would mandate that the dog
not be bred.
-
Thyroid disease
is tested for by performing a complete thyroid
panel during anestrus, including the TgAA
genetic component, by Dr. Jean Dodds of
Hemopet. This includes a
blood
CBC panel
to look for any levels outside of normal.
-
Our breeding dogs are clear for
the inherited disease vWd
and we ensure the poodle
studs we choose are also clear.
Von
Willebrand's Disease is an inherited bleeding
disorder. While the bulk of information available on vWd is
based upon purebred dogs, the disease is not unknown in mixed
breeds. In vWd dogs, bleeding can occur spontaneously from the
nose, mouth or intestinal tract. Living with these dogs can be
quite interesting-- you must keep them in sight at all times and
have a unit of frozen plasma available at the vet at all times.
Better to own a dog that doesn't have the risk!
-
Patellar Luxation
is also inheritable. This is a common disease in
Toy breeds, but is being seen more lately in Labs. A dog with
Patellar Luxation will develop a painful
permanent limp because the patella dislocates as they walk.
Surgery is the only option to repair the issue, and you can
budget about $2000 per knee joint and 2-3 months in recovery
time (your dog has to be walked on a leash so they won't run). Naper Doodles parents have been tested and cleared for this
problem.
-
Our breeding dogs have
additionally been tested for
Heart
Disease
by a qualified veterinarian.
Please refer to Naper Doodles'
Meet the Parents
page for the test records of our breeding dogs and the sires that we
contract for each litter. The article
Health & Genetic Testing by Helene at
Westwood Labradoodles is an excellent summary of why to ONLY buy
from a breeder who tests their dogs for genetic issues. The IDOG.biz site provides another of
Helene's super articles, this one about
Hybrid
Vigor.
I
talk to him when I'm lonesome like; and I'm sure he understands.
When he looks at me so attentively, and gently licks my hands;
then he rubs his nose on my tailored clothes, but I never say naught
thereat.
For the good Lord knows I can buy more clothes, but never a friend like
that.
~W. Dayton Wedgefarth
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