As highly responsible breeders, we are very much against in-breeding and/or line-breeding, and try to outcross with dogs that are as unrelated to our dogs as possible. We feel that a diverse gene pool is crucial to the longevity and good health of our Poodles. Our poodles are registered with the American Kennel Club, and we strive to produce dogs that exemplify the breed standard in health, temper
ament and conformation. We have worked with service dog organizations such as APAW (American Poodles At Work) and the NEADS Service Dog Program. At Crabapple Downs, we believe strongly in diversity in the bloodlines of our poodles to correct the in-breeding and line-breeding that has been done with the breed in the past. On the average, most American Standard Poodle lines reach as high as 25 percent inbreeding! This practice of breeding cousins to one another places the breed at risk for recessive genetic disorders including SA, Addisons' Disease and autoimmune disorders. All of our parents, even the American lines, have a low in-breeding coefficient percentage (COI), and we follow a very careful breeding program to achieve an even lower in-breeding coefficient percentage. COI's are computed on 10 generations. When it comes to placing our puppies with their new families, we are careful to make certain that they are going to caring, responsible, knowledgeable and permanent homes. Someone must be at home to care for the puppy during the day. Poodles do not develop well being left home alone. We are also not advocates for any type of crate training. We want our pups raised like a human child...by your side and not stuffed in box. Potential buyers are screened accordingly, and must visit our kennel in person so that we can meet them. We do not ship our puppies. We also require that potential new owners attend puppy obedience classes with their new addition and read books on our recommended reading list. We are always happy to provide new owners with advice and support, and encourage you to stay in touch with us after you take your puppy home. Our poodle prices are fair; we breed out of our love for poodles and our desire to improve the breed - not for capital gain. Our goal is to produce healthy, happy poodles that will live a long life. We feel that we owe this to the breed that we love so much and that has given us so many years of love and companionship in return.
