some things you will want to have done to insure the pups are healthy -
elbows and hips x-rayed and certified - elbow problems are a huge problem in poodles and other small breeds. do this on your female and the male.
eye tests - genetic eye problems are a problem as well. cockers alone have 3 different genetic eye problems.
brucellous test - yes, dogs can get STDs.
here are a list of the genetic issues in poodles.
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Like other dogs--and humans--poodles may have health problems, some common among all dogs and some specific to the breed and even to one Poodle variety. Health tests already allow us to screen breeding stock for some of these problems (see
CHIC), and today's exciting era of DNA technology is putting researchers on the fast track to find abnormal genes and develop more tests to help eradicate genetic disease. Here are some health issues of concern to Poodle owners:
Breeding "hybrids" by itself isn't as much of a problem as the fact that most breeders who do DON'T do the health testing required to make sure the pups get the healthiest start in life.
This is why people who breed responsibly are never in it for the money. X-rays for hips/elbows at my small country vet run $350. That's only one test. And no, "the vet looked at the dog and said it was healthy" doesn't cut it. Vets don't have x-ray vision to see if the hip socket is correct. Dogs can live long lives without showing symptoms - like chickens their instinct is to not show pain/weakness. Even if a dog doesn't have an eye problem, that also doesn't mean that they aren't a carrier and could pass that on to puppies.
ETA: and before anyone says "see this is why mixes are better" - a mix of a cocker and a poodle will have the potential of the diseases of BOTH breeds. There is no magic formula where a mix is immune from issues. The main reason there is less of a problem is - if you aren't testing then you don't know that it is there.
