Producing quality dogs requires knowledge, research, careful planning and luck. Each and every breeding must be approached with the aim of creating the best possible offspring. To this end, you must use exceptional stock, selectively breeding for desired characteristics and endeavouring to improve faults while retaining existing virtues.
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Breeding specimens should be excellent representatives of their breed, possessing soundness, type and exemplary temperaments. This is not to say breeding animals will be without fault. The perfect dog has yet to be created. Despite faults, they should have exceptional qualities to offer and never be mediocre. It is better by far to have an otherwise outstanding dog with one glaring fault than one who is mediocre with no particular virtues.
Dogs that are to be used for breeding, both male and female, must be in top condition physically and mentally. Additionally, brood bitches must be stable in behavior as behavioral traits are easily imprinted on puppies.
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Every breed has its share of faults, hereditary defects and health problems. In addition to your knowledge of correct structure and movement, you must know the problems that are prevalent in your breed. Since many problems are caused by recessive genes, you will need at least a basic understanding of canine genetics. This knowledge can help you to avoid serious defects and eliminate faults.
Some of the worst defects caused by recessive genes include:
- Cleft palate
- Hare lip
- Cataracts
- Deafness
- Monorchidism
Some of the common faults associated with recessive genes are:
- Overshot mouth
- Undershot mouth
- Light eye
- Light pigment
Be aware that two perfectly healthy dogs can produce puppies with serious genetic problems. Test for genetic defects wherever possible. Insist on seeing clearances for any stud dog you are considering. Do not breed to unclear dogs or any that have not been tested. Do not buy the old line, "We don't have that problem so we don't test for it."
Each parent produces exactly half the contributions to any single puppy. It is therefore vitally important to know what is behind both the sire and dam. In an effort to maintain and/or improve health, vigor, soundness and type, thoroughly investigate possible breeding stock, going back 3 to 4 generations.
Prior to planning your first breeding, it is beneficial to make a chart outlining desireable breed characteristics in their order of importance. Next, list all possible faults from most to least serious. With faults of structure, the more serious the fault, the more breedings it will take to correct it. For example, breeding a good tailset or ear placement may take as few as one or two breedings while a good front may take several generations.
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