Читать книгу Doodle Dogs For Dummies - Miriam Fields-Babineau - Страница 23

Doodles are a mix of two different breeds, so there’s always a chance of your dog being affected by any of the numerous illnesses or other afflictions common in the parent breeds. Because one parent is consistent in all Doodles — the Poodle — you can only assume that the following list of breed-specific issues are ones to be aware of (more on specific purebred dog health concerns in Chapter 3).

 Standard Poodle health issues: The Standard Poodle has a few more health problems than the other varieties of Poodle. These includeIdiopathic epilepsy: A condition in which a dog is prone to seizures without a known causeAddison’s disease: A condition in which the adrenal glands don’t produce hormones necessary for physical functionCushing disease: A condition in which the adrenal glands produce abnormally high levels of cortisolSebaceous adenitis: A destructive inflammatory disease in the sebaceous glands, which are located around hair follicles on the skin

 Miniature Poodle and Toy Poodle health issues: These Poodle variations may experience the same health issues as the Standard Poodle, they’re less likely to do so. They do, however, have some leg bone abnormalities not common in larger dogs, such asLuxating patella: A condition in which the dog’s kneecap moves out of position, causing lamenessLegg-Calve-Perthes disease: Degeneration of the femoral head (the ball portion of the hip joint)

Do some research on the other parent breed so you’re aware of other possible health problems.

To minimize the chances of your having to deal with these issues with your Doodle, buy only from a reputable breeder who has done appropriate health clearances on their parent dogs. These include checking for orthopedic problems, as well as heart and eye problems (see Chapter 4). You may luck out with a healthy dog from other sources, but chances are, you’ll end up spending a lot of money for veterinary care and professional training.

If you’re adopting a Doodle from a rescue organization or animal shelter, do a little research on breed health concerns so you can potentially recognize any structural, coat, or eating disorders and know how to address them (see Chapter 7).