Guide: progressive retinal atrophy in dogs
Progressive Retinal Atrophy in Dogs: Signs, DNA Tests and Breeding
Progressive retinal atrophy in dogs, or PRA, is a group of inherited diseases in which the light-sensing cells of the eye slowly die. It starts with night blindness and ends in total blindness. There is no treatment. However, a DNA test on the parents can prevent the most common form.
What progressive retinal atrophy is
The retina lines the back of the eye. It holds two kinds of light-sensing cells. Rods work in dim light and detect movement, while cones detect color. In PRA, these cells deteriorate over time, as VCA Animal Hospitals explains (VCA).
There are several genetic forms. The best known is called prcd, which stands for progressive rod-cone degeneration. The rods fail first, and that is why the dark becomes a problem before daylight does.
Breeds at risk, including Poodle mixes
PRA matters to anyone buying a Poodle cross, because it runs in the parent breeds.
- The Merck Veterinary Manual lists Miniature and Toy Poodles and Labrador Retrievers among breeds with an inherited form that shows signs at three to five years of age (Merck).
- VCA lists Labrador and Golden Retrievers among commonly affected breeds.
- Embark, the DNA testing company, lists 65 breeds for the prcd form, including Poodles and Golden Retrievers (Embark).
So a Goldendoodle or a Havapoo can inherit the gene from the Poodle side, and a Goldendoodle from the Golden Retriever side as well. Being a mixed breed does not remove the risk. See our article on hybrid vigor in dogs for why.
First signs of progressive retinal atrophy in dogs
Merck says the first sign is usually night blindness. VCA describes what owners notice:
- Nervousness at night
- Reluctance to go into dark rooms
- Bumping into things in dim light
- Eyes that look very reflective
- Pupils that are wider than normal
Later, daytime vision fades too. The late-onset form usually appears between three and nine years of age, according to VCA, and most dogs lose their sight completely over one to two years. Merck adds that cataracts are common late in the disease and can hide the retinal problem behind them.
VCA stresses one comfort: PRA is not a painful condition.
How it is diagnosed
A vet may suspect PRA from an eye exam. A veterinary ophthalmologist confirms it by looking at the retina. In addition, a test called electroretinography measures how the retina responds to light, and VCA notes that it can detect PRA before a dog shows obvious symptoms.
Is there a treatment?
No. VCA states that there is currently no effective treatment, and that antioxidant supplements and vitamins have shown no measurable effect. Embark says the same.
Blind dogs cope well, though. VCA explains that dogs rely heavily on smell and their other senses, and they move around the home easily as long as the furniture stays where it is. Embark suggests voice cues, a leash in unfamiliar places and regular eye exams.
How DNA tests prevent progressive retinal atrophy in dogs
The prcd form is autosomal recessive. In plain terms, a dog must inherit the faulty gene from both parents to be affected, as Embark explains.
| Parents | Puppies |
|---|---|
| Clear and clear | All clear |
| Clear and carrier | None affected. About half are carriers. |
| Carrier and carrier | About one in four affected |
| Any pairing with an affected dog | Every puppy inherits at least one copy |
A carrier has one copy and keeps its sight. Therefore, a carrier can be bred safely to a clear dog. The pairing to avoid is carrier to carrier, and a DNA test on both parents is the only way to know. Merck confirms that DNA tests can detect carrier and affected dogs before any signs develop.
DNA covers only the forms with a known test. For the rest, the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals runs an eye registry. The exams are done by board-certified veterinary ophthalmologists, and a certification is valid for 12 months (OFA).
What to ask a breeder
- Have both parents had a DNA test that includes prcd-PRA?
- May I see the results by each dog’s name?
- Is either parent a carrier? If so, is the other parent clear?
- Have the parents had an eye exam by a veterinary ophthalmologist?
We test our parent dogs with Embark. Our health testing page explains what the panel covers, and dog health testing before breeding explains what a DNA panel cannot tell you.
Related guides
- Puppy Vaccine Schedule and Deworming: What Is Done Before Go-Home and What Comes Next
- Heart Murmur in Puppies: Innocent Murmurs and When to Worry
- Heatstroke in Dogs: Warning Signs, First Aid and Prevention
- Umbilical Hernia in Puppies: Is It Serious and Does It Need Surgery?
- Coccidia in Puppies: Signs, Treatment and Cleaning Up
See all our puppy guides, read about our health testing, or meet our Havapoo puppies for sale and Goldendoodle puppies for sale.
Sources
- VCA Animal Hospitals. Progressive Retinal Atrophy in Dogs. vcahospitals.com
- Merck Veterinary Manual. Disorders of the Retina, Choroid, and Optic Disk (Ocular Fundus) in Dogs. merckvetmanual.com
- Embark Veterinary. Progressive Retinal Atrophy, prcd. embarkvet.com
- Orthopedic Foundation for Animals. Eye Disease. ofa.org
Sources were checked on October 7, 2026. This article is general information and does not replace advice from your veterinarian.
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