Objectives in Dog Breeding
© Leonidas-Leos
The following is, with only a few additions, taken from the book, "Practical Genetics for Dog Breeders" by Malcolm B. Willis 1992 (H.F. & G. Witherby Ltd. - German edition). I would not have been able to express it so remarkably clearly myself but it concurs completely with my/our opinion on the matters concerned.
Why do we breed dogs?
Desirable characteristics in dogs are:
Fitness - Vitality, reproductive viability, maternal instincts. These habits are easily measured, they have a genetic basis but they are not inheritable to a high degree.
Socially determined attitudes - these belong to the most important traits of a dog but their significance is often misunderstood (difference between nervousness, aggression, dominance).
Characteristics, quality - to put it simply, if the dogs' colour is black, white or brown, this will not influence it’s well-being. These traits are the result of breeding for aesthetic purposes.
Characteristics, quantity - means anatomy, size and some of these when over-enhanced by breeding are not always of benefit to the breed. Size, bone structure, angulation all can influence
the functionality of an animal.
Resistance against diseases (the strength of the immunological system). There may be a genetic disposition because certain breeds experience a greater influence than others from a given disease (connection with breeding to giant size, stunted growth, extreme form of the head e.g.).
Requirements / demands to the breeder
It's far to easy to just take a bitch, take a dog but may people do just that. They mate two dogs and sell the puppies. Even decades of experience do not qualify this as responsible breeding. It's
production dogs and nothing more.
A real breeder is an individual who is interested in dogs as a species, especially dedicated to one breed, and tries:
a) to learn as much as possible about the breed;
b) to live together with one, two or several dogs of this breed;
c) to breed an occasional litter as a product of a judicious mating in an effort to maintain / improve the quality of the breed.
To achieve the above, it would seem necessary:
a) to possess only as many dogs as one is able to provide complete care for;
b) to integrate these dogs completely in one’s daily life (proper socialization).
c) to concentrate on the breed's faults and defects and to endeavour to improve the breed through utilization of organic genetic law;
d) to place puppies with the correct people / situations and to maintain communication / data exchange with the owners;
e) to breed with "ethics" (moral conviction) even in times of difficulty. No club/organization/institution rules should be necessary, these must come from deep inside the person who breeds;
f) to make assure that he/she can rescue dogs bred by him-/herself should the need arise or to make all efforts possible to safely relocate the dogs;
g) to be prepared to cooperate with other breeders for the sake of the breed (should be possible by healthy competition);
h) to regard the success of the breed over and above any personal fame and fortune.
It is surely no crime if genetic faults appear through breeding. This is simply a result of the laws of genetics and can happen to anyone (even the most famous kennels/breeders).
Recently I received an e-mail from an American friend, with years of experience in "rescuing dogs" and this last sentence impressed me and fits in very well with the breeding-goals:
• If you can't rescue (take back destressed dogs bred by you, help to re-home dogs. etc.), don't breed!
No explanation is necessary here. I agree whole-heartedly!
It is a human's responsibility (breeder, dog-owner) to bring out all the natural qualities of character in order to arrive at a dog we can trust 100%. Just as our dogs put their trust in us!
It would be best to have more puppy applicants on the waiting-list then puppies available, as human nature tends to appreciate more those things that are not to easy to get. That's "human's nature" all over the world!
