Comments on: Question 3 of 5: Does expertise in selecting breeding stock from high quality, health tested dogs matter?

By: Jax

Jax — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 11:27:42 +0000

Of course it matters, the better care and conditions, the better dog. No exceptions.

By: Curtis M

Curtis M — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 08:25:21 +0000

If you want to produce great dogs you have to have it in your mind that EVERYTHING matters. Every little flaw matters, the temp in the whelping room matters, the substrate used matters, the bloodlines you’re combining matters, if you’re line-breeding then some serious experience matters, early detection of problems, nutrition, supplements, and hygiene matter. Breeding is an artform and a science, it’s learned and it’s semi-instinctual on the artsy side, and genetics on the science side. Once the pups come? It’s all science! We know from science that poor hygeine = poor health so I sterilize my whelping rooms DAILY, twice daily if need be! Cool temperatures + Newborn pups = Sick pups, keep the pups warm. Early detection of illness is everything, it’s good to have some sort of medical background whether it be for humans or animals (one of the best hobbyiest breeders I know of is an RN). Diet is crucial, if I have a female who’s low on milk before whelping I make sure she’s getting plenty of fluids via chicken broth because we all know mother’s milk is best. My pregnant b**** are fed a raw diet (as usual) but they recieve more food obviously and they recieve more supplements. And perhaps the main thing here is supervision. If you’re always watching you won’t have the problems with mothers accidentally harming pups, or pups getting too far from the litter and getting sick because of the cold, and other common mishaps. I hope this answered everything you were looking for! Good luck!

Edit: Btw I’m going to help every breeder rid themselves of 1 more excuse for bad breedings. You DO NOT breed dogs to compliment eachother’s flaws. You breed dogs with NO flaws. You have to breed the extraordinary to produce “good” dogs on a regular basis! Two Good dogs make mostly “Fair” dogs and a few “Good” dogs, two “Fair” dogs create an equal amount of Fair and Bad dogs. Yes “perfect” dogs exists, they’re called champions who can do the job they were created for. In my breed they’re called Kkl Breeding Select for Life. If only more breeds broke down the breed standard to the centimeter as far as conformation goes there’d be less “opinion” as to what a good dog should look like and is built like and more fact. The fact is my stud is Kkl1, that means the fact is he’s “perfect” conformation wise down to his height, weight, chest measurements, tail shape and length, and even eye color. And, also, (*theoretically) working ability wise.

*I say theoretically because although the structure part of the exam is measured to the centimeter and the requirements are plain black and white, the working ability tests are opinions of drive.

By: Divapom

Divapom — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 08:16:15 +0000

Absolutely,
A. Genetics is the blueprint of the potential of every living thing. Knowing what bloodlines click with other bloodlines. This comes from learning from mentors. Watching other breeders and what they produce. Studying genetics. It is an art form that takes years to master and even then surprises both good and bad pop up.
B. Proper nutrition, socialization, and health care are vital to a puppies, physical and mental Development. It takes years to acquire this expertise. It is needed so that every pup reaches it’s full potential.

By: L e

L e — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 02:53:15 +0000

Do your homework!

Yes but unfortunately so called top breeders care little to nothing for health. The British Kennel Club is revamping ALL the standards because very sick dogs have been winning Crufts and ruining the gene pool from the resultant breeding. Since BKC is the standard for the world this should help so mutated, genetically sick dogs are no longer created.
For example the Rhodesian Ridgeback with a ridge is considered the standard and ALL puppies without it are killed, yet these are the healthy dogs. The ones with the ridge it is a spinal defect! So humans are killing healthy dogs for cosmetic looks that are defects!
In Britain there are 10,000 pugs but the DNA shows there are only 50 dogs out of this due to inbreeding. We out-law inbreeding for ourselves knowing the disaster but it is quite the norm for purebreds.

If you can watch “Pedigree Dogs Exposed” , links below it explains how we are losing our dog breeds.

By: Scoop

Scoop — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 08:10:07 +0000

I would say that both matter. I’ve seen dogs that didn’t have a lot of time devoted to them, who were awful dogs to train and work with. I’ve seen dogs that had plenty of time spent on them, who are now perfect dogs. (My dog is one of those that had plenty of time spent on him. I knew the breeder, and spent the time raising him and working with him. She also did the same.)

By: divadeb

divadeb — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 00:36:06 +0000

I know I wouldn’t buy a puppy that didn’t come from good healthy stock with a health cert. and AKC paperwork from a reputable breeder and I would do my reseach and visit a kennel before ever purchasing a pup. So the answer is definitely yes it all matters to both breeder and buyer.

By: Daddy's Li'l Drag Queen

Daddy's Li'l Drag Queen — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 21:36:47 +0000

YES! A breeder who spends tme with the puppies, is better able to place a puppy that matches a buyer’s lifestyle, wants. I wanted a performance dog, wanted a dog with drive, and retrieving instinct. My breeder did temperament testing, and he actually failed the retrieving part. However, because she spends so much time with the puppies, she knew that he DID have that instinct. For whatever reason, he just wasn’t doing it that day. And..he’s a retrieving fool!

Also, it’s a great way to start socializing the pups. Handling them. Also, my breeder grooms them twice before they ever go home. For a breed like a poodle, that is soooooooooooo important! If the dogs are left to have their first grooming experience at 6 months, it can be so difficult for that first groom. These early days are still important.

ETA: Selective breeding—knowing your own dogs, and selecting 2 dogs that compliment each other produces MUCH better stock. You dramatically increase the chances of producing healthier puppies.

By: Natasha W

Natasha W — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 22:15:34 +0000

It can be the difference in life and death. If you don’t get a high quality health tested dog, you will probably be opening a can of worms. If you purchase a male from an irresponsible breeder and he’s not been tested and he ends up with leukemia and you get a female from a different irresponsible breeder and she has an under or overbite and hip dysplasi…good luck with the pups, they will probably have leukemia and a poor bite and hip dysplasia. Pups need much care/time. Skill is very important. Definitly not a good way to earn a quick buck.

By: Yo LO! Aussie Grins

Yo LO! Aussie Grins — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 08:39:16 +0000

Of course. Selective Breeding produces puppies that are bred to standard that are likely to have fewer health problems overall.

The quality of care / time spent training and socializing the pups from an early age make them easier to train / better dogs in the long run.

By: Santa Basset

Santa Basset — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 06:27:41 +0000

It matters a great deal. A properly bred, cared-for and socialized puppy has a far greater chance of growing up to be a healthy, confident, enjoyable pet.