[ Post a Response | Ask Cheryl Carlson ]
Posted by Nick
on 6/30/2009, 10:28 pm, in reply to "Do Breeder's agree?? or Disagree?"
70.212.120.238
Hi! Just ringing in on the subject that has been at the core of my life for a long while. When I decided to start breeding dogs, I decided that I would go to the breeder of the dogs I liked the best and fit the standard the most--I wanted the best starting out. Of course when you just start out you make mistakes just because of the lack of knowledge. But the thing you bring from that is the learning experience. If you can't learn from your mistakes, then that will "sink" you too.
I agree with most of what the 20 principles of breeding better dogs says. Mainly, start with the best, and keep your eye on the whole dog, not just the parts you want to improve. You may improve the part you were looking to improve, but along the way, a few of the other parts will go, I guarantee it.
You must also have in your minds eye, the standard of your particular breed. If you can't explain what you are trying to accomplish with the breeding you are doing, why do it? There are plenty of pets on this earth. I, of course talk from a breeder/show point of view where I think that even the puppies in the litter that aren't that " big star" must also fit the standard to some extent.
I wish that most breeders would follow these principles, but I am afraid alot, if not most, do not. I know several breeders that are what is called "kennel blind" which means they cannot identify the faults of their own dogs. And that means that they are not making the necessary decisions to improve on those dogs when breeding them. Maybe they just can't interpret the standard? Which brings up the question of who decides the standard. It is the parent club of each breed, which list the characteristics that hold true to that particular breed, which have proven true throughout the history of the breed. It what makes each breed that breed.
I could go on forever about all this, but I won't right now. Sorry it's so long.......it's been my life for a long time. Just trying to share and reinforce things that I have actually experienced and gone through personally to try to maybe enlighten up and coming breeders. It is a hard task, and one that must be based on love for and care for bettering your breed of dog.
-Carol Bergmann
Darbydale Kennel
60
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