Beyond the Cuteness: Understanding the Health Testing of Our Parent Dogs

X-ray of a dog's skeletal structure, highlighting the rib cage, spine, and limbs against a black background, providing insight into canine anatomy.

At Dreamy Night Doodles, we know that the journey to a happy, healthy puppy begins long before they are born. It starts with a deep commitment to the health and well-being of our parent dogs. While a puppy's adorable face and playful personality are what capture our hearts, we believe our most important responsibility is to ensure they are set up for a long, vibrant life. That's why comprehensive health testing is a non-negotiable cornerstone of our breeding program.

Why Does Health Testing Matter?

Cockapoos and Cavapoos are mixed breeds, which can lead to a benefit called "hybrid vigor." However, they can still inherit genetic conditions common to their parent breeds—the Poodle and the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. Responsible breeding isn't about hoping for the best; it's about using modern science to screen for potential issues and make informed decisions. This proactive approach dramatically reduces the risk of passing on preventable hereditary diseases, saving both financial and emotional heartache down the road.

What We Test For: The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Side

The Cavalier is known for its sweet, gentle nature, but the breed is susceptible to certain health concerns. We screen for:

• Mitral Valve Disease (MVD): We have our veterinarian or a veterinary cardiologist listen to our Cavaliers' hearts annually to check for murmurs, a key sign of this progressive condition.

• Patellar Luxation: This is a condition where the kneecap can slip out of place. We have our dogs' knees physically examined and graded by our veterinarian.

• Hip Dysplasia: We ensure our Cavaliers have their hips evaluated to check for this common joint malformation.

• Eye Conditions: A veterinary ophthalmologist checks for hereditary cataracts and other eye diseases to ensure clear vision.

• Genetic Panel: We test for Dry Eye Curly Coat Syndrome (CKCSID) and Episodic Falling Syndrome (EFS), two inherited conditions specific to Cavaliers.

What We Test For: The Poodle Side

Poodles are intelligent and athletic, and we screen them for issues prevalent in their breed, including:

• Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA): This is a genetic eye disease that can lead to blindness. A DNA test allows us to ensure our Poodles are clear and will not pass this gene to their puppies.

• Patellar Luxation & Hip Dysplasia: Just like with our Cavaliers, we have our Poodles' joints thoroughly evaluated.

• Full Poodle Genetic Panel: We utilize comprehensive DNA panels that screen for a host of other breed-specific conditions, ensuring we are aware of and can prevent passing on any known genetic risks.

Our Commitment to You

When you choose a puppy from Dreamy Night Doodles, you are trusting us with a future member of your family. Our investment in rigorous health testing is our promise to you that we are doing everything in our power to produce puppies that are genetically sound, healthy, and ready for a lifetime of love. We are always happy to discuss our health testing results and show you the clearances for our parent dogs. It's a testament to our dedication and the foundation of everything we do.