CHOOSING BREEDING STOCK

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.

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.



Top Stud Dog and Record holder 1996
Ch Bearhug's Knight Star
Snoway Alaskan Malamutes
Lorraine Wright, Ontario

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.

Accepting that there will always be faults, you must decide what faults you are prepared to tolerate in order to benefit from a dog's strengths. Conversely, you must decide what virtues you will not sacrifice. As you continue to gain knowledge and experience, do not be afraid to change these priorities.

By objectively evaluating of your bitch, you will have determined her strengths and weaknesses. This information is essential in setting your goals and choosing a suitable stud dog. List the faults that need correcting in order of importance. You will not change everything in one breeding so concentrate on the faults that are most serious.

Choose your stud dog wisely. He will have an enormous influence on the breeding but he must be compatible with your bitch and appropriate for your breeding program. Study pedigrees, research ancestries and investigate offspring. Follow the tried and true practices of successful breeders.

Investigate previous breedings and, wherever possible, view the stud dog's offspring.

The old adage of "Breed once to get it and twice to set it." applies to faults as well as virtues. If you breed to a dog who possesses the same faults as your bitch, you will set those traits. Always breed to a dog who has strengths in the areas where your bitch is weak.

If your bitch has a good front or another trait that takes several generations to perfect, do not breed to a dog who is weak in that area, regardless of his other strengths. You may never regain that trait.

A good stud dog is as close as your nearest airport. Do not breed to the dog down the street unless you would be prepared to ship your bitch to him if he lived in another part of the world.

If you cannot afford a stud fee or shipping costs, postpone breeding your bitch and save your sheckles. Do not breed to a dog just because his stud fee is cheap. There is usually a good reason for his price. A high stud fee is not an indication of a superior stud dog nor will it guarantee a good litter. You must do your homework to ensure the breeding is worth the price.

Until you have experienced your first litter, it will be impossible to predict how deeply you will become involved as a breeder. The initial breeding, however, should be planned as though it were a lifelong pursuit. Indeed, it will be to the puppies you produce.

Breeding is far from a perfect science. There are many 'unknowns' but, even as a beginner, you can greatly increase your chance of success by doing your utmost to control the known factors.

Then do a lot of praying and stay away from ladders, black cats and mirrors!



Ch. Rysan's First Round Kayo CDX
Rysan Welsh Springer Spaniels
Rich and Sandy Rohrbacher

Our sincere thanks to the breeders who have generously allowed us to use the photos of their top producing stud dogs. We invite you to visit their sites by clicking on their hi-lited kennel names.

I would like to take this opportunity to add a very special thank you to a great lady, Mrs. Stella Newby of Worrindale Kennels, for sharing her incredible knowledge about breeding and allowing a novice to learn at her side and achieve the dreams of a lifetime. Stella continues to pass on her valuable advice with the only request, that her knowledge be shared. She is the inspiration behind All About Dogs.