If you’re looking to bring a puppy into your family, it’s essential to be careful when choosing a breeder.  At River Doodles, we prioritize the health and well-being of every puppy through thorough genetic disease testing and OFA evaluations of hips and elbows of every parent dog, which helps ensure a healthier pup and fewer medical issues down the road. If you choose another breeder, we encourage you to ask for similar health testing results completed for the parents. Unfortunately, the POP-UP Breeders, which have greatly increased in the last few years, often skip these very expensive steps, which can lead to future health problems. Common genetic diseases such as Degenerative Myelopathy (DM), a neurologic disorder, present symptoms at age 9, or Progressive retinal Atrophy (PRA) which causes the dog to go blind around age 6-7, can be prevented simply by testing the parents.  A two-year health warranty offered by some Pop-Up Breeders will not protect your puppy from these avoidable diseases when your dog gets older.

Taking the time to verify these tests now will help you find a happy, healthy puppy to enjoy for years to come!