Learning the
art of breeding
“Breeding is the art of compromise.” I thank the person for who stated this
wonderful statement. We do not live in
an ideal world where absolute perfection is obtainable. Therefore, when breeding dogs, we must
exercise selective judgment, common-sense, and wealth of practical knowledge
based on years of experience and research, be able to prioritize all the
information we have at hand when planning a particular breeding, and last, but
definitely not least, a good dose of luck!
In practical terms, the knowledgeable and pragmatic breeder stacks his
hand with breeding aces (pedigree and excellent quality dogs) and hopes for the
best. Breeding is not just a question
of indiscriminately mating two animals together without any rhyme or reason,
but it encompasses both the science of genetics and the desire of the breeders
goals. Breeding dogs could well be
described as Genetic Sculpting. It is
both an awesome responsibility and one of the greatest joys known to
mankind.
Then
genetics comes into play. Checks for
genetic defects are tools, not absolutes.
No sane person sets out to breed dogs with genetic defects. In an ideal world we would breed Labs that
are free from all genetic problems. But
the knowledgeable and pragmatic breeder realizes this is not possible and that
all living organisms carry lethal genes.
The art of breeding is to limit the physical and mental effects of those
genetic glitches. When we are breeding
dogs that are closely related genetically there is obviously a greater
possibility of these defects surfacing.
But when breeding from a pedigree that is entirely different, the risk
becomes unknown. It really is a catch
22. This is where it is vital to select
only the best dogs for breeding.
The
influence of the grandparents generation cannot be underestimated. Some times progeny often than not resemble a
grandparent more closely than either the sire or the dam. When planning a breeding we cannot just
consider the suitability of the parents but their sires and dams as well. Putting the perspective grandparents
together may give you a more accurate picture of how the litter is more likely
to turn out.
Always
keeping an open mind and realizing that none of us know it all, gaining experience
and knowledge with each and every breeding we do. Aiming to breed Labradors who primarily can fulfill their working
heritage as a retriever. By only choosing mates that offer strengths to
compensate for the weaknesses of the other.
And keeping our kennel goals and vision in mind, then we can hope to
learn the art of breeding.
