August 2008

1. 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 especially painful.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. Bloat or stomach torsion is a condition in which the stomach twists over and fills with air, releasing toxins into the bloodstream. This requires immediate medical help. It can be fatal if not treated early enough. This condition is usually a concern for deep-chested breeds and
may affect the Standard Poodle; your vet can advise you of precautionary measures against bloat.

8. Cushing’s syndrome is a pituitary disorder in which the body produces too much cortisone. It is medically treatable.

9. Hypothyroidism is a hormone problem usually seen in older dogs. It can be treated by a veterinarian.

10. Patent ductus heart disease is a congenital heart defect that is genetic. Surgery is required for correction.

11. Epilepsy is a disorder characterized by a seizure in the brain that can be controlled with medication.

12. Von Willebrand’s disease is genetic in nature. It is a bleeding disorder in which a low clotting factor can prove fatal. Dogs should be tested for clotting factor prior to surgery.

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The Poodle’s coat consists of two types of hair. The outer coat should be thick, wiry and curly. The undercoat must be soft and woolly to provide warmth. Puppies, however, are exceptions. Poodle puppy coats are soft and fine with little or no curl, but often with a slight wave.

As the dog matures into adulthood, the coat develops a thick, curly quality. The best way to judge a puppy’s potential adult coat is to look at the parents. If they carry good coats, their puppies will likely possess them too.

Ever since the first hunters trimmed their retrieving dogs to prevent drowning, the Poodle hairstyle has been a favorite topic of conversation among dog people. Initially, Poodles sported either a Continental clip or an English Saddle clip. Now, hundreds of years later, these are still popular as they are required clips for show dogs.

Puppies under one year of age are shown in a simple trim known as a “Puppy clip”. Only the face, throat, feet and base of tail are clipped. The tail displays the characteristic pompom at its end. The body coat is lightly trimmed to give it a neat unbroken line for a pleasant appearance.

The “Continental clip” has full hair around the chest and rib cage, with shaved hindquarters and legs. Large pompons are sculpted over each hip above the area of the kidneys (optional) and around the ankles for protection from the cold.

The “English Saddle clip” permits a short mantle of hair over the hindquarters and full coat from the waist to the topknot and ears. The ankle and knee joints are also protected with pompons.

All Poodles are given a topknot of hair over the skull that is brushed out and groomed to stand erect in a rounded pompon. Adult dogs must be shown in either the English Saddle or Continental clip; the only exception being competitors in Stud Dog classes, for which a Sporting clip is permitted. The English Saddle and Continental are the clips of choice for the conformation ring around the world, except in the UK, where the Lion clip is preferred.

Pet Poodles and those not being shown in breed conformation classes at dog shows are usually groomed in styles designed for ease of maintenance. Often the body hair is clipped short, with the legs trimmed a bit longer. Some male Poodles sport tiny mustaches around the muzzles. The pet style is usually determined by the owner’s willingness and capability to maintain the coat in a well-groomed fashion. In addition. Poodles that spend a lot of time outdoors are usually kept shorter because it’s easier to keep the coat clean when the hair isn’t too long.

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