The Poodle is a breed that
defies some of the rules about smaller dogs living
longer and bigger dogs living shorter lives. Some
standard Poodles live 15 to 20 years, just as the
smaller toy and miniature varieties do. Even though
careful breeding can eliminate many of the inherited
health problems of purebred dogs, the Poodle does
have some definite inherited tendencies toward
certain conditions. This list is an effort to give
the owner of a new Poodle some initial direction.
Poodles, like many dogs, can
be prone to hip dysplasia, a condition in which the
hip is malformed and diseased. In many cases, the
ball and socket do not fit together properly. The
disease may be caused by development of arthritis in
the joint, with damaged cartilage being one of the
major problems. Healthy cartilage should be thick
and elastic to support the skeleton. Therefore, a
change in the hip cartilage can cause problems with
walking, rising, and sitting. Keep in mind that some
anti-inflammatory medicines to help reduce pain and
inflammation are available. Then, cases that are
more serious may require surgery.
All three sizes of Poodle can develop progressive
retinal atrophy, a condition of the eye that may
begin with limited night vision and limited vision
in dim light. Sometimes this disease develops so far
that the dog may become completely blind. This
disease is inherited, which causes tissue at the
back of the eye that receives and transmits visual
signals to the brain to deteriorate. One noticeable
sign of the problem is the “shine” in a dogs eye as
the pupils open more and more to try to get extra
light. Sometimes the lens becomes cloudy as a
cataract develops.
Both of these medical conditions are widely
recognized in purebred dogs and top quality breeders
will be careful not to use dogs in their breeding if
there is a history of hip dysplasia or progressive
retinal atrophy in the older dog’s bloodlines. These
two situations alone are enough reason to visit at
least three breeders when shopping for a new puppy,
and for being prepared with questions about both
parents of the litter, you are considering.
Another condition that Poodle owners may want to
learn about and watch for is sebaceous adenitis. In
addition, this hereditary skin disease occurs when
glands become inflamed and the dog gradually loses
hair. The Poodle is one of three breeds in which
this is seen most often. It can be difficult to pin
down a cause for loss of hair, but owners may want
to watch for excessive dandruff, scaling, lesions,
or some secondary skin infections. Sometimes a dog
can have this problem and there will be no outward
signs. Your veterinary may be able to examine skin
tissue through a microscope to determine if
sebaceous adenitis is the problem.
In addition to these hereditary medical conditions,
owners of young Poodles may want to consider the
diet they give their purebred pet. Many dogs are
allergic to the grains in cheaper brands of
commercial dog foods. The excessive amounts of corn,
wheat, and soy may be the cause of breathing
problems or skin problems in dogs. Some owners and
breeders have moved to fresh foods, including meats
and vegetables, for their dogs. If you feed your
Poodle a commercial food, you may want to stay with
the higher quality mix. Consulting with your
veterinarian is a good place to start. You may also
be able to continue the diet that your breeder has
chosen for his young dogs.
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