Almost every known breed of dog has acquired genetic health problems over the years - responsible breeders will retire any dog that shows these problems from a breeding program to prevent continuation of same. NACR strongly encourages its breeders to maintain a clean gene pool by carefully choosing stock dogs, and eliminating from breeding any dog that does exhibit problems. However - nature is nature, and nothing is foolproof, just as in human reproduction. A dog may appear and test healthy for a number of years before showing any signs of less than perfect health. Cockapoos generally tend to display less chance of inheriting inbred problems due to the nature of expanding the gene pool, but these are possible issues that have a small chance of arising through the poodle and cocker lines:

Some breed problems of poodles and cockers

   --   progressive retinal atrophy (PRA)  is a group of degenerative retinopathies consisting of inherited photorecptor dysplasia and degeneration that have similar clinical appearance. Both poodles and cocker spaniels are subject to photoreceptor degeneration inherited as autosomal recessive traits in which clinical signs can appear at 3 to 5 years of age. There is a DNA test for Irish setters but not as yet for other breeds. Electroretinography is often used to investigate and diagnose the condition and the results can be reported to the Canine Eye Research Foundation  - CERF. Cortical cataracts are common in the later stages of PRA. No effective therapy is available

---- patellar luxation.  A hereditary disorder characterized by ectopic development of the patella medial or lateral to the trochlear groove of the femur. Patellar luxation is associated with multiple deformities of the hindlimb involving the femur, tibia and hip joint. Clinical signs vary with the severity of luxation. Any age animal may be affected. Palpation of the stifle joint reveals displacement of the patella. Patellar luxation may be graded from mild to severe with the mild causing little or no affect of the animals health. Surgical intervention provides a good prognosis.

-----hip dysplasia ( while primarily a large breed problem ) the pathophysiological basis for hip dysplasia is a disparity between hip joint muscle mass and rapid bone growth. Subsequently coxofemoral instability or joint laxity may develop and lead to degenerative joint changes. Clinical signs are variable and do not always correspond to radiograpihic findings. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals -- OFA  is best qualified to grade to findings. Surgical intervention provides a good prognosis although  in mild cases environmental changes  may be the better course to follow.

---- aseptic necrosis of the femoral head ( legge-calves-perthes disease ) is more common is small breeds than hip dysplasia. This  congenital deterioration of the femoral head occurs in young miniature and small breeds is associated with ischemia and avascular necrosis of the bone. Clinical signs include hindlimb lameness, pain during manipulation of the hip joint and  thigh muscle atrophy, radiography reveals irregular bones density of the femoral head and neck. Treatment involves surgical excision of the affected femoral head and early postoperative physical therapy - prognosis for recovery is good.

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