WHO TESTS and WHICH KINDS ??

[Lucky Me]

Wow! This gal has a good handle on breeding. For example check out her page on brown..
http://arpeggiopoodles.tripod.com/poodl ... lors3.html
On the left side she has a list, each link on breeding different colors..
Poodle Coat Colors- thru- Poodle coat colors7
She actually has a weath of info on her site!!!!

[cocoandjane]

That is a very informative site....Thanks for posting it!

[Jac]

That is an interesting site. Thanks...it explains the variety of colors we get in our black dogs, doesn't it?
But did you notice that the Poodle world inbreeds to keep coat colors true at the expense of temperament? I found that to be very important.

[cocoandjane]

I haven't started breeding yet....

But when I do, I will probably do the following:

PawsitiveID: all below as stated on their site.....

Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)
Hypothyroidism with Goiter (HTG)
(Congenital Hypothyroidism)
Cystinuria (CYST)
Globoid Cell Leucodystrophy (GCL)
Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis (NCL)
Phosphofructosokinase Deficiency (PFK)
Von Willebrand Disease (vWD)
Narcolepsy (NARC)
Cone degeneration (CD)
Canine Leucocyte Adhesion Deficiency (CLAD)
Hemophilia B (HmB)
Muscular Dystrophy (MD)
Myotonia Congenita (MC)
GMI Gangliosidosis (GMIG)
Retinal Dystrophy (prad)
SCID (DNA-PKc & DNA PKc2)
Mucopolysaccharidosis Type VII (GUSB_NOSVVIII)
Thrombasthenic Thrombopathia (THROM)
Progressive Rod-Cone Degeneration (PRCD)

I will do PennHipp, OFA prelims, maybe OFA at 2 years....CERF
CBC Thyroid, Heart and Brucellosis at the vet....at least, I think I will include CERF....Not positive about that one, yet.

Does that cover it?

[Lucky Me]

You have to put the code number for your breed on the submission form. There is actually a code number for labradoodles. I am assuming that ALL of those genetic diseases could be carried by Labradoodles??

[MaxandMe]

Jane.....for people like you and me, I think we got a headstart in a way via this forum by learning the past year from some really good reputable, responsible testing breeders on this forum
as we were both alerted/informed of many tests which should be done to ensure health
it's up to us to complete testing, also make sure the temperament, intelligence,coat. build/structure, etc is good across the board.

there is so much to consider when choosing a dog for breeding
and if it werent' for this forum i don't know if i would have figured it
all out on my own.
i know what to look for in temperament, build and usual health
i had no idea of all the testing involved till a year ago.

so thanks to every breeder on this forum that has helped Jane and I become educated and aware so that we too can be just as responsible and reputable

LASTLY PAWSITIVE ID dna testing is truly a godsend for testing and much less expensive than previous testing

[cocoandjane]

I think there are those diseases that are found usually,
or typical, in either the labs, goldens, or poodles and
those would be of high interest to us. Other diseases
may not be at all common for our breeds.
I figure all canines could be susceptible to any of these disorders. (?)

Yes, it is true this forum....(and my breeders)
have helped me immensely to get educated
about breeding, in general, and doodles specifically!!
Here on the forum, the responsible testing-breeders have set
such good examples and standards for others to follow....
Whether they realize it , or not, they really helped me make
the decision to breed these wonderful dogs....showing me the tools
to use to begin and continue in like fashion.

Thanks to you all!

I think it foolish to not take advantage of all the screenings
out there...at least, the ones that are super reliable....
in order to be able to breed excellent dogs
that have the best chance to produce offspring
that are healthy, stay healthy~ and become wonderful
life-long companions to loving human families.
Especially to those in need of the qualities doodles have....
for allergy sufferers, etc.
It seems a priviledge to become a breeder,
and be a part of a community of folks that has the same
goals in mind...
If pursued with integrity and the high standards are upheld
Labradoodles, Goldendoodles and
(even North American Retrievers) in the future
will thrive and bless soooo many!
I look forward to the day that I can actually begin.
Maybe this fall....We'll see. Lots of things must fall into place...
As Usual!!!!

OK, SORRY....I AM SO LONG WINDED!!

[Jac]

It is very exciting to see that you are all so interested and studying so much and that you will be on top of the curve when it comes to breeding. I commend you!
I would like to just add my comments to the testing...I see no need to do both PennHip and OFA on hips. OFA must be done on elbows/patellas but if you do PennHip, you don't need both. I know that there is some debate with the long term accuracy of PennHip, but I believe that if you wait and test hips later, closer to a year old, the result is very accurate. Others will disagree because we have all heard the stories about testing young pups and retesting at age 2 with different results...sometimes I wonder if the results are different merely because the data base has grown. The more dogs put into the database to compare to, the more the score will fluxuate. I don't think that it is the scores that change, but the charts.
You can always ask PennHip to reassess your scores with the current database and see where your dog fits in.
Also, I am a bit troubled that people are saying that CERF is not required. I believe it is. Cataracts are a common problem with our dogs and even though we have to test every year, if we can learn from the testing and help our pups stay healthy, I think we should do it.
True, we could have clear tests for 2 years and on the third year we may have a problem. Well, that is when we make the hard decisions...but it doesn't mean we should close our eyes and ears to the available data.
The genetic eye diseases diagnosed by Pawsitive ID are not the same as what is available through CERF.
The same argument goes for SA...I hate that test, and I am not convinced it is accurate, but it is all we have at this time and some organizations suggest that we use it others require that we do.
Bottom line is that most breeders won't even talk to you about using their (or your) breeding animals without 1) good hip scores 2) clear CERF 3) vWD (now using Pawsitive ID because of all of the other tests and good pricing) 4) T4 thyroid 5) good scores for elbows and patellas and 6) at least a vet verification of a healthy heart.
That is the basic standard now...doesn't mean it won't change, and it doesn't mean it is all that accurate...but it is the standard at this time.

[Jac]

Jane, I was typing my "long winded" response while you were typing yours...and I just wanted to say that I could not agree with you more!

You will make us very proud when you begin your breeding program. It is people like you, and Ann Marie who learn as much as possible before breeding your dogs that will eventually help our entire class of breed rise to the top! Good job!

[Lucky Me]

What exactly does the T4 Thyroid test for?

[cocoandjane]

You can always ask PennHip to reassess your scores with the current database and see where your dog fits in.

Wow, never thought about that!! Good idea, Jacque !!
OK, I will CERF, too.

And, T4 thyroid is for hyperthyroidism??? (Which is awful.)
or is it for both hypo and hyper???

I'll be back tomorrow....g'nite

[Jac]

Judi, here is a small article that covers the testing and conditions quite well:
http://www.thyroid-info.com/articles/dog-hypo.htm

[MaxandMe]

so JAC ... when pawsitive id tests for
HYPROTHRYOIDISM.......isn't this the same test?

[Linz81]

I have a question about OFA prelims? Is this what you do if you are breeding before 2 years. Also I have read and been told by told my vet that it is best to breed on the females 2nd heat, which usually falls before 2. I am new to ALL the tests and just want to make sure I am getting all my facts straight. Thanks all of you for all your information. you guys could totally teach a class on all this!

[Jac]

Hey, Ann Marie, I am not sure...all I know is that the T4 test is a blood test and that the Pawsitive ID checks DNA, so I don't know if it replaces the blood test or not...that is something we should find out though. Thanks!

Linz, that is one of the problems with OFA...and why I prefer PennHip. I plan to breed my females when they are mature enough to care for their litter, and when the are no longer puppies. That happens at different stages for different dogs. Since OFA is a preliminary test and can't be confirmed until 2 years of age, there is a chance that it could change. I prefer to have the PennHip result so that I am reasonably sure that the testing is accurate before I breed my dogs. But, many breeders use OFA prelims...it is a gamble and one of the things you factor in.

I would just caution all who use OFA prelims to be sure and follow up with the 2 year exam to be certain.