What makes us pivotal?
Pivotal puppies are bred from fully healthy tested, purebred poodles who are legitimately registered with the Canadian Kennel Club (CKC).
Our breeding dogs' health testing results are published for you to see on the website for the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA).
Each of our breeding dogs has been tested for (and has passed, when relevant):
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OFA hips
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OFA elbows
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OFA patellas
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Pennhip
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Basic cardiac examination
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CAER eye exam (annually)
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Embark genetic panel
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To avoid producing preventable diseases
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Canine genetic diversity testing through UC Davis and analysis/translation through Betterbred
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Bred with health and genetic diversity in mind
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In addition to being fully health tested in the traditional ways, Pivotal poodles also have proven, better-than-average genetic diversity. Our breeding dogs come from genetically diverse lines that blend both standard-sized and small-sized (miniature and medium) poodles. This results in a highly outcrossed pedigree that makes our poodles genetically less-related to typical standard poodles, and makes it easier to breed them safely -- with lower risk of producing puppies who develop autoimmune disease later in life.
Published research from the University of California Davis Veterinary Genetics Lab (VGL) has shown that in standard poodles, greater genetic diversity is associated with lower risk of autoimmune diseases. Each Pivotal breeding dog is tested through the UC Davis Veterinary Genetics Lab, and we plan our breeding matches with support from Betterbred to ensure our dogs are genetically complementary to each other and to reduce the level of inbreeding in our puppies.
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Rediscovering the roots of the historic poodle
Pivotal poodles are bred with the written breed standard in mind. In North America, all three poodle varieties (standard, miniature and toy) are considered ONE single breed. In fact, there is only one written “standard” in Canada that tells reputable breeders of any variety (whether standard, miniature or toy) what to aim for when breeding for the ideal poodle. The poodle breed standard states that miniature poodles may stand up to 15" tall, and standard poodles are taller than 15".
A typical standard poodle in a modern show ring generally ranges in size from about 22-27" tall (measured at the top of the withers, or shoulder) and about 40-60lbs. Since our dogs come from intervariety lines (meaning their pedigrees include a blend of standard poodles and smaller poodles), they are somewhat smaller, generally ranging from about 19-22" and 30-45lbs.
Rest assured, this smaller size is perfectly correct according to the written breed standard that is respected and honoured by ethical purebred breeders -- which specifies plainly that standard poodles stand over just 15" in height. In addition to conforming with the written standard, smaller-sized standard poodles also align with an older style, more traditional standard poodle of days gone by, before the "bigger is better" trend led to much taller standard poodles that people have grown accustomed to seeing.
Intervariety poodles can be ethically registered and shown in any CKC or AKC venue. Although no longer common, intervariety breeding approaches formed the backbone of the breed we love. When done mindfully, with full health testing and deep analysis of the health history throughout both sides of the pedigree, intervariety breeding can and has produced truly medium-sized dogs with more robust health, lower risk of autoimmune disease, and rich genetic diversity that is the envy of other purebred enthusiasts.
