When you're choosing a puppy, it's easy to fall in love with the photos — but what's behind the scenes matters just as much.
One of the questions I always appreciate being asked is about genetic testing. It tells me you're thinking long-term about your puppy's health, not just the moment you bring them home.
Why Genetic Testing Matters
We DNA test all of our parent dogs so we know exactly what they carry genetically. For a puppy to actually show clinical signs of a genetic condition, they must inherit two copies of the gene — one from mom and one from dad.
This is a key piece that often gets overlooked. A dog can carry a gene and never be affected by it — but if both parents pass that gene on, the puppy can develop the condition. That's why intentional pairing matters.
Understanding Clear, Carrier, and Affected
For each condition we test, every dog falls into one of three categories: Clear — the dog does not carry the gene. Carrier — the dog carries one copy but will never show symptoms. Affected — the dog carries two copies and may develop the condition.
Being a carrier is not a health issue — it simply means the dog has one copy of a gene. The goal in responsible breeding is not to eliminate all carriers (which can actually harm genetic diversity), but to pair dogs in a way that prevents affected puppies.
How We Prevent Genetic Disease in Our Puppies
To ensure our puppies are not affected by these conditions, all of our males are clear for the diseases we test. This means even if a female is a carrier, and even if she passes one copy of a gene to a puppy, that puppy cannot develop the disease — because they would need a second copy from dad, and dad doesn't carry it.
This approach lets us protect puppy health, maintain strong genetic diversity, and avoid unnecessarily narrowing our lines.
What Do Standard Poodles Get Tested For?
The most commonly tested genetic conditions in Standard Poodles include Degenerative Myelopathy (DM), GM2 Gangliosidosis, Intervertebral Disk Disease, Neonatal Encephalopathy with Seizures, Osteochondrodysplasia, Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRCD), and Von Willebrand Disease (VWF).
All of our studs here at Above Standard Poodles are clear for these conditions, giving our puppies the best possible genetic start in life. You can see each parent's testing on The Parents page.
What Genetic Testing Does Not Tell You
Genetic testing is incredibly valuable — but it doesn't tell the whole story. It does not measure temperament. And in our experience, temperament is one of the most important factors in how a dog fits into your home.
Raising Poodles for Real Life
We raise Standard Poodles to be true family companions. Yes, we care about structure and breed standards — but our biggest focus is on raising dogs who thrive in a home environment. All of our parent dogs are gentle and patient with our kids, highly trainable, adjust well to new people and environments, and genuinely enjoy being with their family.
Health + Temperament = The Full Picture
Genetic testing gives our puppies the healthiest possible start. But it's their personalities — their curiosity, their affection, their ability to connect with people — that truly make them special. That combination is what we work toward in every litter.
FAQ: Quick Answers About Genetic Testing
Can a carrier dog have healthy puppies? Yes! When paired correctly (for example, with a clear dog), carriers can produce completely healthy puppies.
Why not only breed clear dogs? Eliminating all carriers can reduce genetic diversity, which can create bigger problems over time. Responsible pairing is the better approach.
Do you test all of your dogs? Yes, all of our parent dogs are DNA tested so we can make informed, intentional breeding decisions.