Hips for Hip Joint Dysplasia (HD)

How: x-ray
When: After 1st birthday  Where: Veterinary practices where radiographers are available, including university vet schools. Plates are forwarded for analysis and scoring.

Skin for Sebaceous Adenitis (SA)

How: Two small skin biopsies done in the midline near the shoulders
When: After the second birthday and annually thereafter
Where: Your veterinarian can take the biopsies; these are then sent to a certified veterinary dermatopathologist

Eyes for Juvenile Cataracts
and the other 21 inherited eye abnormalities found in poodles such as entropion, ectropion, progressive retinal atrophy, etc.

How: Eye examination
When: At 6 months of age in a potential breeding dog an electroretinogram (ERG) may be done to rule out PRA. Otherwise an eye exam at 2 years and annually thereafter
Where: By a veterinary ophthalmologist and at some university veterinary schools. There may be an "eye clinic" held in your area sponsored by the local poodle club.

Von Willebrand's Disease (vWd)

How: Cheek swab sample or blood test
When: Anytime after birth for DNA
Where: VETGEN for DNA, your own vet for blood test

Blood for thyroid malfunction

How: Blood sample
When: Subsequent to sexual maturity in males and between heat cycles (12 to 16 weeks following onset of heat) in the female
Where: Your vet will take the blood sample and send it to the lab for analysis

Addison's Disease

How: Blood test for sodium/potassium ratio as a screening test (suspicious for Addison's disease is a ratio of less than 27), ACTH stimulation test in all animals to be used for breeding or in suspected Addison's Disease
When: After sexual maturity, during anestrus as noted for thyroid testing in females
Where: Most veterinarians can do these tests and send them to a laboratory for analysis

Juvenile Renal Disease

How: Blood urea and creatinine determination and urine protein excretion
When: After six months of age or earlier in some cases, this is a fatal disease in affected animals and should be done by breeders before sending puppies to their new homes, if possible
Where: Your veterinarian can do these tests

Bloat
(Gastric dilation, torsion and intestinal volvulus)

This condition is probably feared more than any other by Standard breeders. It is almost always fatal unless professional care is found very quickly. There is no test available to assess at-risk dogs. To date it has not been proven to be heritable, however knowledgeable breeders recommend that it be presumed to be heritable. Their current stance is: Do not breed with any poodle that has bloated or with any of that poodle's first degree relatives (ie. parent or sibling or progeny).

Hips for Hip Joint Dysplasia (HD) and
Legg-Perve's Disease

How: x-ray
When: After 1st birthday
Where: Veterinary practices where radiographers are available, including university vet schools. Plates are forwarded for analysis and scoring

Stifles for  Luxating Patella

How: Palpation
When: At 6 months of age
Where: Your local veterinarian or orthopedic specialist can do this examination. NB: Some breeders are concerned about inexperienced vets undertaking this examination. See if your poodle club would consider regular clinics at which experienced breeders could assess youngsters, or if it would consider designating experienced breeders as a resource for members to consult with on an ad hoc basis.

Eyes for Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) and the other 21 inherited eye abnormalities found in poodles such as juvenile cataracts, entropion, ectropion, etc.

How: Eye examination
When: At 6 months of age in a potential breeding dog an electroretinogram (ERG) may be done to rule out PRA. Otherwise an eye exam at 2 years and annually thereafter
Where: By a veterinary ophthalmologist and at some university veterinary schools. There may be an "eye clinic" held in your area sponsored by the local poodle club.

Von Willebrand's Disease (vWd)

How: Cheek swab sample or blood test
When: Anytime after birth for DNA
Where: VETGEN for DNA, your own vet for blood test

Blood for thyroid malfunction

How: Blood sample
When: Subsequent to sexual maturity in males and between heat cycles (12 to 16 weeks following onset of heat) in the female
Where: Your vet will take the blood sample and send it to the lab for analysis