Gellert Kennel, Simeon and Celina Gellert prioritize the health and overall soundness of our dogs, allowing us to confidently provide families with puppies that will live good, long lives. Below is an explanation of the testing we pursue with our dogs, the information that provides us with, as well as the limits to what testing and screening can provide.
Genetic (DNA) Testing
There are essentially three clusters of information a breeder seeks when genetically testing a breeding dog. The images below are examples of genetic health testing on our dogs. Genetic test results, like results that evaluate hips and elbows, can also be registered the OFA and toward Canine Health Certification.
Inherited Disease Genetic Markers This can be valuable information for all breeds. Generally speaking, a genetic test for a specific disease or condition will be found normal/clear, notable/carrier if one of two genes carry a marker for a condition, or at risk if the dog carries both variants or genetic markers for a condition. The terminology may vary slightly from one lab to the next, however it comes down to whether the dog carries no markers, one variant or marker, or two. It is important to understand that there are limits to what can be tested for. The breeder’s familiarity with their dogs, the history of previous generations, and breed specific health concerns is crucial information.
Breed Traits, Coat Type and Colours Genetic testing also helps us better understand traits like coat type, colouring, and coat furnishings in Miniature Poodles. Poodles come in a wide variety of beautiful colours including black, white, apricot, cream, red, silver, blue, brown, and phantom patterns. Understanding the genetics behind these traits allows breeders to make informed and responsible breeding decisions while preserving correct breed type and coat quality. While color can be exciting, it is never our main focus. Our priority will always be producing healthy, sound Miniature Poodles with excellent temperaments, proper structure, and strong genetics. Genetic testing simply gives us another tool to better understand our dogs, maintain transparency with our puppy families, and thoughtfully preserve the integrity of the breed for future generations.
OFA – Orthopedic Foundation for Animals Below are examples of OFA certifications from our Mini American Breeding program:
Willow
CKC MAS LONESUM D’S BLUEPAWS WHISPERING WILLOW Black Tri-Colour Girl DAM: SDR ASDM CAN 2013272 LONESUM D’S RHODA SIRE: SDR ASM CAN 2311233 LONESUM D’S LUCAS, BRINGER OF LIGHT OFA/CHIC#: 212651
Examples of Genetic Testing Reports
The OFA offers both interpretive services whereby dog’s xray images, for example of hips and elbows, are reviewed by accredited veterinarians which can lead to OFA certifications. The OFA also operates a breed specific registry of various health markers through their Canine Health Information Center (CHIC). A dog achieves CHIC Certification if it has been screened for every disease recommended by the parent club for that breed and those results are publicly available in the database. DNA test results can also be registered with the OFA. OFA preliminary screening results can be obtained for dogs as young as 4 months, published results at one year, and certified results at 2 years.
“For normal hip conformations, the reliability was 89.6% at 3-6 months, 93.8% at 7-12 months, and 95.2% at 13-18 months. These results suggest that preliminary evaluations of hip joint status in dogs are generally reliable. However, dogs that receive a preliminary evaluation of fair or mild hip joint conformation should be reevaluated at an older age (24 months).“
Miniature Poodle Breed Specific Health Tests
Why Aren’t All BluePaw Mini Poodles OFA/CHIC Certified?
We only recently acquired these Mini Poodles, and while the previous breeder did all the testing she could, due to location her access to professionals who take the CAER eye exams, or OFA x-rays was limited. We are currently working towards getting all of our breeding dogs that are over 2 years completed in their OFA and CHIC certification.
