Despite the large number of colors and shades that Poodles can exhibit, the most commonly seen Poodle color is probably white. Whatever the color, it must be solid in show dogs; particolored dogs are disqualified.
Identifying the color of a Poodle can be perplexing. Some might call this a chocolate while others would say dark apricot.
One last note on color, however. It’s important to point out here that café-au-lait and brown Poodles have dark amber eyes rather than the traditional black eyes. Also, their lips, eye rims and noses should be liver-colored instead of black. Apricots may have liver pigmentation and dark amber eyes, but black is preferred. In selecting a Poodle for showing, clear colors are preferred; solid colors are required.
From gunmetal to silver, there is a magnificent range of gray shades seen in the Poodle.
A wellappreciated color is the apricot with a black nose.
HEALTH CONCERNS
Well-bred Poodles are hardy, long-lived dogs who enjoy good health all their days. However, Poodles can be subject to certain health conditions, and the wise Poodle puppy buyer should be aware of these problems and avoid them whenever possible.
As with humans, Poodles have many health concerns that are hereditary in nature. Many of these can be avoided by careful investigation on the new owner’s part by asking the breeder about the health background of the puppy’s parents. For example, have the parents been tested for such conditions as cataracts that can cause blindness? Does either of the parents have epilepsy and, if so, how is it controlled? Has either parent experienced orthopedic problems and, if so, how serious were they?
Here we take a closer look at some health conditions that have been found in Poodles as well as many other breeds of dog. Please note that not all Poodles experience these conditions. However, it behooves the puppy buyer to be well informed regarding potential health concerns of the breed under consideration. Also note that responsible breeders do not breed from any dog that is known to have or carry any hereditary problems.
Most Poodles are as “healthy as a horse,” and some even get along well with an equine pal.
EYE PROBLEMS
A cataract is a cloudiness or film over the lens of the eye, categorized by age of onset, location on the eye and stage of the cloudiness. This condition is hereditary, and parents should be tested before breeding takes place to prevent this condition from being passed on.
Glaucoma, a leading cause of blindness, is caused by an increase in fluid pressure within the eye. It can be hereditary, and parents should be tested prior to breeding. Miniature Poodles are prone to narrow-angle glaucoma, which produces pain and redness in the eyes. The treatment is medical and/or surgical.
These two darlings are the picture of health. Poodles usually are healthy dogs and live long lives if properly cared for.
Progressive retinal atrophy, or PRA, refers to inherited disorders affecting the retina of the eye. Visual impairment is slow but progressive. Night blindness can be the first signal of trouble, and there is no known way to stop onset.
Other conditions of the eye that have been observed in the Poodle include corneal dystrophy, congenital night blindness, entropion and tear duct anomalies.
SKIN PROBLEMS
Atopic dermatitis refers to an unusual or atypical condition of the derma or skin. It can be difficult to diagnose.
Sebaceous adenitis is inflammatory damage to hair follicles and sebaceous glands. It is most often seen in Standard Poodles but also seen in Toys and Miniatures. It is a hereditary condition. There is no known cure, but treatment to control it includes frequent bathing to reduce surface scale and to increase moisture to the skin.
Color dilution alopecia is an anomaly that usually occurs in dogs bred for unusual coat colors, such as those described as “blue,” which is a diluted form of black. The condition, when it occurs, is not curable. Moisturizers and frequent shampooing can lessen the incidence of dry, scaly skin.
Seborrhea is an abnormal and excessive discharge from the sebaceous glands in the skin; it must be treated medically.
ORTHOPEDIC PROBLEMS
Cruciate ligament injury is a condition in which diagonally crossed ligaments in the rear leg are injured and must be corrected surgically. This condition is painful to the dog.
Elbow dysplasia, also known as osteochondrosis, is often found in young growing dogs. It is genetic. Dogs allowed to exercise in excess are often at risk for this condition. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) has implemented a screening procedure in which dogs’ elbows are x-rayed and the x-rays are examined and evaluated. Abnormal elbows are graded based on the severity of the dysplasia, while normal elbows of dogs 24 months old and older receive OFA certification. This scheme is designed to help identify dysplastic dogs and to help breeders eliminate affected dogs from their breeding programs.
Hip dysplasia is similar to elbow dysplasia; it is a genetically acquired problem of the hips in which the head of the femur does not fit correctly into the hip joint. The OFA also has a screening program for hips, in which hip x-rays of dogs at least 24 months old are evaluated and graded in one of seven categories: Excellent, Good, Fair, Borderline, Mild, Moderate and Severe. Only hips graded Fair or better are given OFA numbers. Again, this screening process identifies dysplastic dogs to help breeders to select healthy breeding stock free of genetic defects.
Legg-Calve-Perthes disease is a disorder of the hip joint, often seen in young small-breed dogs, which causes lameness and pain in one leg. Surgical removal of the femoral head is the usual treatment.
Kneecap dislocation or medial patellar luxation occurs when the kneecap slips out of place and rests on the inside of the knee. This condition is mostly seen in small dogs. Therapy may help, but surgery is more frequently used to relieve the problem. It is most probably genetic in origin.
OTHER PROBLEMS
Following are brief descriptions of some conditions seen in many breeds and that can occur in the Poodle.
Bloat or stomach torsion is a condition in which the stomach twists over and fills with air, releasing toxins
