Understanding a dog's genetic health can help the breeder make better pairing decisions so the most recognized health problems to that breed can be avoided. Luxating patellas, and progressive retinal atrophy are the two primary conditions which breeders should screen against in Cockapoos. When talking to a breeder, make sure that their dogs are tested to see if they carry these traits.
In my early stages of cockapoo shopping, I was searching on petfinder. A photo of the most gorgeous cockapoo popped up. However, when I clicked on it, the shelter information said that this dog was blind, deaf, and suffered from seizures. This is the risk when someone takes a chance and purchases a puppy from someone who does not genetically test their dogs. Many genetic conditions show up over time, such as vision loss. While it is impossible to test for all possible conditions, those that are widely recognized in a breed should be tested for.
For some breeders, it is a numbers game. They look to purchase the most inexpensive puppies they can find, raise them and breed them to any of their other dogs without know what genetic traits each carries. At Great Lakes Cockapoos, we have carefully selected our dogs from breeders who genetically test their dogs. We then perform more testing to assure that we can make the most informed pairings possible.
Testing comes at a price. Working with breeders who genetically test their dogs often means that you will be spending more for your puppy. However, if you look at the long-term health and expense of your dog and compare it to the one above that is looking at a lifetime of medication and expensive care, you can appreciate the value of trying to eliminate as many of those expensive health conditions as possible.
We want you to have a loving and healthy new canine family member for many years and genetic testing is one way in which we work to deliver that.
In my early stages of cockapoo shopping, I was searching on petfinder. A photo of the most gorgeous cockapoo popped up. However, when I clicked on it, the shelter information said that this dog was blind, deaf, and suffered from seizures. This is the risk when someone takes a chance and purchases a puppy from someone who does not genetically test their dogs. Many genetic conditions show up over time, such as vision loss. While it is impossible to test for all possible conditions, those that are widely recognized in a breed should be tested for.
For some breeders, it is a numbers game. They look to purchase the most inexpensive puppies they can find, raise them and breed them to any of their other dogs without know what genetic traits each carries. At Great Lakes Cockapoos, we have carefully selected our dogs from breeders who genetically test their dogs. We then perform more testing to assure that we can make the most informed pairings possible.
Testing comes at a price. Working with breeders who genetically test their dogs often means that you will be spending more for your puppy. However, if you look at the long-term health and expense of your dog and compare it to the one above that is looking at a lifetime of medication and expensive care, you can appreciate the value of trying to eliminate as many of those expensive health conditions as possible.
We want you to have a loving and healthy new canine family member for many years and genetic testing is one way in which we work to deliver that.
