Posted by Matt
on 10/16/2009, 11:21 am, in reply to "Re: Three Pillars"
97.127.226.96
Well this is just a few of my thoughts on just a basic level from a self proclaimed newbie...
1) Temperment is number one for me, I would rather have a shorter lived dog than a dog whose personality I couldnt stand. I am not suggesting turning a blind eye to health defects as that is insane, but I would rather have a shorter lived companion then be around a dog 24/7 for 12+ years that I simply cannot stand to be around, or have any trust in. I dont care how bada$$ a dog is if its temperment is overly shy / skittish, not trustworthy, lacks intelligence or is just plain stupid, nervous, fearfull, aggressive for no apparant reason I will not only refuse to breed that dog but I will refuse to own it as well...
This is the most basic requirment of any dog, because what is a domestic dog? Its man's best friend, a companion! Doesnt matter if its a pet or working dog, the most basic purpose of a dog is to be a companion. If the temperment is something that keeps you from wanting to be around the dog its no longer a companion.
2) Health is next for me. Does the animal breath clear, or acts like its going to pass out when it starts running and the temperature gets hot? Hips ok? Skin allergies? Loose eyes? Entropian? Cherry eye etc etc...NONE of these are acceptable to me I dont care how bada$$ everything else is on the dog.
3) Working ability, this is a working breed does the dog have the ability to serve a purpose besides being petted? To me this is more important than conformation, function over form. Working ability should be tested & proven before breeding, if a sire or dam cannot fullfill a duty its not worth my time, energy, and food. And its not worth the risk of breeding that individual to see if it passes down that undesireable trait.
4) Conformation: Some people seem to believe that the dogs apperance is the primary thing which defines a dog to a specific breed and this seems very sad to me. To me temperment should be the first thing to define a breed and this is why I list it at number 4. Someone should be able to purchase a pup and be expected it to act w/ great consistency like the breed standard. How well do human relationships go if we were to pick our spouse with appearance being the number one deciding factor????...not so well from what I have seen.
Now back to what I look for in conformation as it is very important and not something I turn a blind eye to. Is the dog structural sound? Going to extreme's in any one direction usually has side effects. I dont want something "extreme" or "freak of nature" I want a good looking sound dog. And the most basic of conformation and this should be kept in mind in pairing of foundational breedings as well, does the dam & sire look like a bulldog will the pups from these two look like a bulldog or will they look like a terrier, pug, or mastiff? Then from there on the dog should be measured apon the standard, and then finally individual taste comes into play.
In my opinion all four of these must be met. No dog is perfect but I believe all four must be met at some level. I have a clear cut line drawn in my head in each of those four categories as "must have" and "should have". If a dog doesnt at least meet the "must have" requirments or I dont believe the pairing will result in at least the "must have" requirments in all four categories than the dog isnt breeding worthy or the specific pairing shouldnt be done.
In my opinion the "must have" and "should have" requirments one should already have a clear idea of what those are before breeding. And their should also be a end goal for the pups what is the plan for their future? Did it just seem like a good idea at the time? Do I have plans for the litter's future beyond being born & sold?
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