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Selection
of a Stud
(Transcript from the 1981 Australasian Dalmatian Convention
Papers)
Ladies and Gentlemen it gives me great pleasure to discuss
the most important topic of selecting the Stud dog. So important
is this fascinating aspect of breeding, that much more consideration
should be given to this area than is usual. It is quite easy
to see where serious thought has been given by breeders, because
they continually produce good typical stock. I think you can
classify people who breed dogs into three categories
1. Those who give thought to
what they are doing and do not have to seek advice, these
you can call "Breeders". People usually fall into this category
only after years of experience.
2. Next you have people who
do neither give thought nor care, who breed because "it would
be nice for ëSuzyí to have a litter and being a bitch she
must be bred". You can classify these people as "Fanciers".
3. The third ones breed because
a friend has a male, which is convenient, and not expensive.
These people have $ signs in their eyes and are often the
commencement of puppy mills.
Many considerations come to mind when you are thinking about
a Stud, the most important of these are as follows:
1.
Sound Temperament.
2.
Compatible bloodline, and genetic background.
3.
Physical conformation.
4.
General condition of health
Take a good, long, hard look at the stud you are considering,
and ask whether he generally fits into the criteria I have
mentioned. Remember this is, or should be, the most serious
step you are taking because , as a "Breeder", you are progressing
in your breed and continually striving to improve, which must
always be your goal. You are never breeding just to have a
litter or because itís the "thing" to do. Think very carefully
before breeding, do not rush into it. Future generations of
your breed are in your hands.
Sound Temperament
is my first criteria. Regardless of the external beauty
of the Stud, you should investigate his genetic background
as much as possible. He should not be used at all if there
is any history of unsoundness in temperament. I have known
dogs to pass on undesirable traits, generation after generation,
and I imagine some of you here today have had similar experiences.
Unsound temperament can lie dormant for a considerable amount
of time and can be triggered suddenly (many generations away),
for an obscure reason.
Just because a dog may be a "winner" in the show ring, does
not necessarily mean he should be bred. Indeed, he may always
be the perfect model to judge, who, after all, may only see
him for a few moments. However, should he display any signs
of unsoundness in behaviour in his usual environment, or you
discover this in his background, forget him as a stud. In
years to come, you being serious, considerate breeders will
be pleased you did not use the dog. The wisdom of carrying
out such research, using only tractable dogs, without any
signs of "rat bag" tendencies will be patently obvious to
you.
Compatibility of bloodlines
and genetic background would most probably be my next
most important criteria. My experience has been that the best
stock is produced by direct line breeding usually. This theory
has also been proved in the breeding of cattle and horses.
I have found that I can line breed for five generations before
having to obtain an infusion of new blood.
Having obtained the new blood and using my theory, you can
then come straight back into your established line. So, you
should study the pedigree of both your bitch and the intended
Stud. Look for common ancestry if possible. Provided that
your bitch and the Stud meet the demands you have formulated
go ahead, always remembering you are breeding to improve.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and can lead to kennel
blindness, a luxury serious breeders cannot afford. Look closely
at dog and bitch, do not overlook the serious faults, you
will only promulgate them if you do. Do not be influenced
by well meaning friends who may just be disguising a jealousy
and may convince you not to approach the owner of a Stud.
If you believe a particular dog is the Stud you want for your
bitch the use him if you can. Too often, owners of Studs are
not approached because of some personality differences, and
many ideal breeding are sadly not carried out because of this
reason, much to the detriment of a breed.
Keep an open mind with your breeding, sometimes a Stud is
expected to perform miracles,- your puppies do have a mother.
I will discuss the influence a dam has on the litter later
on. Sometimes you can get an idea on how your puppies could
look if you are able to see the "get" form similar breedings.
You should also appreciate that repeat matings will not necessarily
have the same result as the first breeding. Nature, being
nature, is not always perfect and allows for diversions from
the norm.
Breeding and selection is based upon he phenomenon of variations,
and the total variation within a breed can be attributed to
three components:
1.
Genetic variation
2.
Environmental variation
3.
Gene-environment inter-actions.
Since puppies of the same litter develop under the
same maternal environment and as they are essentially reared
under the same kennel environment, we can concentrate on the
genetic component for the purpose of this discussion. Being
serious breeders, we must learn to manipulate this variation.
Perhaps one of the most important misconceptions is
the male is more important genetically in mating than
the female. This idea probably had its origin in the fact
that a male normally produces more offspring in his lifetime
than the female. However, for any one mating we must say the
parents are essentially equal, since each contributes one
half of the inheritance of each progeny.
Remember when selecting individuals for a mating to give
both parents equal consideration. If the bitch has too many
problems do not breed her at all.
The serious breeder should make every effort to know the
inferior genes his dogs are carrying, as well as their superior
genes. Only by knowing the complete genetic story can a breeder
make intelligent breeding decisions which will assist in "fixing"
desirable genes lurking in the shadow, remembering always
that you will not necessarily eliminate the undesirable genes.
A further misconception, common to the thinking of novice
breeders, is that the kennel names in a pedigree are of great
importance. The kennel name tells you who owns the dog, and
nothing more, and has nothing to do with the genetic worth
of the dog as a breeder. Do not be misled into thinking that
just because a dog is owned by a particular kennel, he
must be outstanding breeding stock. The integrity and reputation
of the kennel should be taken into account in your business
dealings, and particularly where the authenticity of the pedigrees
are concerned. This is most important. You will observe if
the owner is just after a Stud fee or has the breed at heart
when he looks at your bitch. Remember his dog has
already sired litters and if an honest and dedicated kennel
he should be able to give you every help and assistance. As
far as the dogs are concerned, the only factors to consider
are whether they have the correct body type and their ancestry.
When a dog is bred, he transmits genes not kennels. I realise
it is nigh impossible to carry out this exercise with imported
studs, but even in this situation as much care as possible
should be taken.
Physical conformation.
The Stud should excel in body type, and have attributes which
will compliment those your bitch may lack. When choosing your
Stud you should study his breeding record, his percentages
of proven quality, conformation, temperament and movement.
What do we breed toward? The standard has been written to
give breeders a set of rules and guidelines to go by. It is
written to standardise our efforts, so breeders will work
together for the same goal and the same effect, so each individual
within your breed will resemble each other. The concise Oxford
Dictionary explains conformation as,
"manner" in which a thing is formed, structural parts, arranged
in different individual shapes, react when put to use in different
kinds of motion. All breeders should correctly know and understand
conformation and movement so they can apply this knowledge
and breed to their standard.
General condition of health.
Needless to say the general health of the Stud and bitch is
of paramount importance, each should have a clean bill of
health and communicable diseases should be in evidence.
Should the owner of the Stud not request a vaginal negative
result from the bitch prior to mating be on guard, his dog
could be carrying an infection from his last Stud and could
transmit this to your bitch.
Remember the breeding of dogs with good intent, can mean
many things to many people, but to all of us, is a fascination,
because it deals with the "secret of life" itself. The secret,
no matter how hard we try, will probably never be obtainable,
but we must continually strive towards it. Try as we will
to apply all the knowledge through experience, breeding and
studying genetic theories, we are constantly reminded that
the ultimate formula is just beyond our reach.
There is a strange obsession in every true breeder, an obsession
that keeps the breeder thinking that the next litter will
be the answer to his breeding hopes. This obsession will keep
him going litter after litter, along with the love of the
breed. There is no end to the knowledge of the art, the quality
shows, according to the production and the work and the effect
we put into it. Ladies and Gentlemen the future of your breed
is in your hands.
Maria Archer
NSW All Breeds
Judge
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