Do you do health/genetic testing ( including hip testing )?

For some of our doodle breeds, we are working to do the testing on specific issues that could be a problem for that particular breed. For instance in addition to the 6 genetic tests listed above, Labradoodles can be tested for Centronuclear Myopathy (CNM), Cystinuria, Exercise Induced Collapse (EIC), and Hereditary Nasal Parakeratosis (HNPK); these four issues are occasionally found in Labrador Retrievers. (Cystinuria is also a good test for Newfiedoodles and Newfoundlands can be prone to this issue).

We pay for all of the genetic testing for dogs in Partner Homes and Guardian Homes and do not use a dog to breed that has any genetic issue we are aware of. We've let people know through the years, that once all of our breeding dogs have been fully tested we will likely increase our prices, as it is expensive/time-consuming to get all of the testing done. Some veterinarians that we have talked to are not fully aware of every type of test that should be done for a doodle. We strive to have doodles of excellent health, temperament, and looks to go to wonderful forever homes.

For hip testing, we are in the process of testing all of our larger breeds (Newfiedoodles, Bernedoodles, Sheepadoodles, Saint Berdoodles, and Pyredoodles). We have had a few parent dogs that we have had to remove from our program because they did not have ideal hips. I respect the rare Doodle breeders who have all the testing done, even on their minis. I'm not aware of any breeder who does all of the DNA testing and hip-testing whose adoption prices are not considerably higher than ours.

At this time I don't require hip testing for my guardian homes with mini puppies (though some have it) for several reasons:

1. Some of my guardian homes are uncomfortable sedating their smaller dog for the x-rays.

2. Hip Dysplasia is primarily a problem for large breed heavy framed dogs (70 pounds or more) or pitbull/bulldog type of dogs, Labs also can have issues. For instance 61% of Bulldogs tested are dysplastic. Since many of my guardian homes have mini/medium sized dogs, dysplasia is not as big of a concern

3. Secondly, Poodles are one of the best breeds for not getting hip dysplasia (only 8.5% of those tested are dysplastic); 84 breeds rank ahead of them. Since I specialize in F1b pups, they are 75% Poodle, from separate genetic lines, and with the addition of hybrid vigor, I estimate that in our mini doodles, there would be about a 5-7% chance that one of our adult breeders may be dysplastic. My vet friend assures me that we would easily recognize it in our females, since we don't like to breed dogs until they are at least 2 years old. We did remove one female from our program before she was a year old, because she showed signs of dysplasia.

4. I think it is for these reasons that if you look at the OFA's website, you'll find that although some breeds have had more than 100,000 dogs tested, there have only been 288 Labradoodles tested since 1974, and fewer than 100 Goldendoodles. We are one of the doodle breeders who likes to test, but we don't require it for our minis.