The following are questions that you should ask a breeder before buying a Standard Poodle. Use this as a tool to make the very best and educated decision about your new Standard Poodle. Please make several copies of this pamphlet and use them to interview several breeders. Questions relate to genetically transmitted diseases and anomalies. Breeder's answers should be direct and come easily without hesitation.
Breeder's name, address and phone number:
Julie Borst, Tiara Standard Poodles, 5514 La Jolla Blvd., La Jolla (San Diego), CA 92037-7611
phone 858-488-9500 e-mail tiara_poodles@hotmail.com website: www.standardpoodles.net
Price of puppy:
$2200.00 on limited registration at 7 to 9 weeks of age. Older puppies on
separate terms when available.
Today's date:
11/17/98
1. Have the dam and sire had their eyes tested regularly for progressive retinal atrophy and other hereditary eye diseases? (Once a year for breeding animals.)
answer:
Yes, for 4 generations+. If you have AKC # of sire and dam, go to www.vet.purdue.edu/~yshen/cerf.html and see the certification info.
If answer is yes, ask if the grandparents had been tested or has any blindness occurred in any relatives of the sire or dam. Ask to see certificates. If answer is no, decline to buying their puppy. A puppy carrying two genes for PRA has the potential to go totally blind at any age. There is no cure for progressive retinal atrophy.
2. Have the dam and sire's hips been x-rayed for hip dysplasia?
answer:
Yes, for 4 generations+. If you have AKC # of sire and dam, go to www.offa.org and see the certification info.
If answer is yes ask for the ratings and to see a copy of the OFA certificate for each parent. Ask if all four grandparents have also had their hips x-rayed and been certified free of the disorder.
If answer is no, decline to buy their puppy. Hip dysplasia is a degenerative disorder but can be diagnosed as early as six months of age. Hip dysplasia can be a painful and crippling disorder that in some cases can be treated by expensive surgery.
3. Have the dam and sire been tested for sebaceous adenitis within the past year? Is there any history of sebaceous adenitis in relatives of the sire and dam?
Answer:
Yes, since 1990. If you have AKC # of sire and dam, go to www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/gdc/gdc.html and see the certification info.
The Tiara Poodles have been certified free of sebaceous adenitis since 1990 when the study at the Univ of Michigan began with Dr. Dunstan. Over the years, the two affected cases related to our dogs were descendents of the of the Tiara "U" Litter of 1987. In addition, in a most recent skin punch submission, a subclinical case was determined in an "A" Litter member born 1991 (with no clinical signs/and a 1998 submission). In these few cases of hundreds of dogs bred, no apparent hair loss was readily evident and was confirmed only by microscopic evaluation. Dogs descending from the above mentioned dogs are not, nor are recommended to be, bred from.
If answer is yes, ask to see the veterinarian's report. If the answer is no, decline to buy their puppy. SA is a skin disorder that causes hair loss, and skin flaking and thickening. They usually have an odor and must be bathed weekly to maintain. There is no cure.
4. Have the dam and sire had a blood test for Von Willebrand's disease?
answer:
Yes
If the answer if yes, ask for the rating on both dogs. 70% and above is normal, 50 to 70% is borderline normal, 40-50% is a carrier and 0 to %40 is affected.
VWD is a bleeding disorder similar to hemophilia in humans. An affected dog would not likely survive any surgery, injury or most likely, the whelping of puppies.
5. Has there been any occurrence of bloat or gastric torsion, seizure, epilepsy, diabetes, thyroid disease, hemolytic anemia, allergic skin diseases, thrombocytopenia, allergic gastroenteritis or Addison's disease in the sire or dam or their relatives?
answer:
Tiara poodles would not breed from parents that exhibited the above disorders. In very few cases relatives are known to have been afflicted with Addison’s disease or bloat. Old age mitral valve insufficiency and old age spleenic disorders could be noted in a few cases over the age of 10 years.
These problems can be hereditary and seem to be more prevalent in some lines.
Ask to look at the whelping room and puppy areas. Note total environment. Record and answer to each of the following:
Is everything clean?
Do puppies have toys to play with?
Do puppies have fresh water?
Do puppies have room to exercise?
Are puppies clean and groomed?
Look at as many relatives as possible!
(Note: Weeping tear-stained eyes are not normal)
Are they friendly?
Are they apparently healthy?
This may be your only insight into your puppy's temperament and overall quality.
ANSWER:
Tiara Poodle puppies are the fruits of years of labor, experience and concern for the breed. Tiara Poodles are fed a healthy, all-natural diet and vaccinated on a holistic schedule. Julie Borst, breeder, has raised the Best Std. Poodle Puppy at the National Poodle Show on 3 occasions! The first few weeks of the pups’ lives finds the breeder by their side around the clock. Actually sleeping by them! Buyers are invited to be in attendance on the 49th day Puppy Personality Profile that is the finest way to determine what your puppy is like. We recommend you meet the mother dog and make certain she likes to please, comes when called (off leash), and is friendly with all she greets to determine more closely the impact she’s had rearing your new puppy.
Ask about the breeder's older dogs and their life expectancy. Standard Poodles should live 11 to 15 years.
Answer:
12 to 14 years
How many years of experience does the breeder have?
Answer:
Breeding an average of two litters per year since 1976.
How many litters a year do they produce and for what reason?
Answer:
Answered above. Tiara Poodles are bred to produce the best all-around Standard Poodle; to provide deserving owners with a devoted, healthy pet of incomparable temperament
If the answer is "for the money," walk away. These people do not have the welfare of the dogs as a priority.
Does the breeder sell pets only on a spay/neuter contract?
Answer:
Yes, it is understood and registered with AKC on Limited Registration.
The breeder that does sell on contract cares enough about the animal to assure that it is not being used and abused as a puppy mill dog. It also shows that the breeder is concerned about pet overpopulation and maintaining the standard poodle as a quality breed. Breeding purebred dogs should be handled by those dedicated to improving and maintaining the uniqueness of each breed.
Is the breeder willing to take the animal back if you can no longer keep it?
Answer:
Yes
Breeders do have a responsibility to the animal's welfare even after the puppy is sold.
Ask for at least three references from people who own puppies purchased from this breeder. Ask each about their dog's health and temperament.
NAME PHONE # or E-MAIL ADDRESS
1.
2.
3.
1. Carol Marren, Loxahatchee, FL
e-mail address: kennethrg@aol.com
2. R. B. Mauher, Coronado, CA
e-mail address: burk@san.rr.com
3. Alexa Enriquez, Indian Wells, CA
e-mail address: alexa@acedesigns.com
Take your puppy to your veterinarian within 48 hours. Your puppy should be examined thoroughly. If problems are found return puppy immediately to the breeder with the veterinarian's report. The breeder should be willing to guarantee the puppy's health.
Genetic testing is done to help breeders avoid passing on genetically transmitted diseases and anomalies. There is no line of living creatures totally free of genetic problems, including humans, but the incidence of problems can be markedly decreased by careful and selective breeding. Take each of these points into consideration when choosing your next Standard Poodle.
Happy Poodle hunting!!
Note: There is no such thing as a registered Royal Standard Poodle. The term is used as a marketing gimmick to imply that your puppy will grow extra large. A normal Standard Poodle will measure over 15 inches tall at the shoulder and the average is around 22- 23 inches for females and 25 ½ - 26 ½ inches for males.
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