Are you really Improving the Breed?????? - Page 5

Yes I think I'd much rather stay on the vine, Developing. But remember this Dogford, It takes more than one pea to make a good stew !

wscott00, I had the same thought about the Rotts and Dobes. Dean Calderon and some others used to show some really nice Rotts. Where are the nice Rotties now? Did they become too popular? Did quality get bred out of their existence?

spook, Good Call there, I can only add that it is very hard to find nice dobies these days, rotts now I think are a little easier to find good ones. My mom purchased a couple rotts about 12 years ago, super nice female super pedigree titles throughout, the male she purchased from a local guy, that was a mistake, He had a super pedigree but a rotten temperament, She never did breed them and she just could not find a quality male with a good temperament locally and did not feel comfortable shipping hidy off to never never land somwhere. Anyway I agree BYB's (for lack of better term) have made an impact on these breeds, as they do all breeds that get popular, Look at what happened with Dalmations too. I have nothing against large kennel's who Title every single dog, I think they're efforts should be rewarded to the hilt and they should be respected for they're contributions, and they're dedication to the breed. But I also have nothing against a "knowledgable" person who can objectively look at they're dogs qualities and faults breeding a few litters and "maintaing" the integrity of the breed eighther. I think the common term is "hobby" breeder, if all Hobby breeders train, research, and breed with honorable intentions, and have specific goals in mind, well then how can that be so bad ? These are not the ones you hear the horror stories about. Not picking a fight here spook, If you notice I agree with what you stated above.

In my opinion, I think the only way we can improve the breed is to weed out the dogs that do not measure up to the standard. The only way to do that is to not breed the dogs that do NOT meet the standard. There is a way to do that, hence the testing set forth by the SV, medically sound, testing through trialing and breed surveys. We could improve the breed by actually earning titles and not purchasing them. In regard to certain "strains" of GSDs we could actually make the "performance test" at a sieger an actual test and not a placement of the sleeve in the mouth of a dog by the helper who then hits the dog with a feather duster slap. Having judges that don't give pronounced on bite work that IS NOT deserved would be a good start. AND, let's stop getting excited when a dog actually outs, IT SHOULD OUT! Stop rushing dogs through titles so they can be bred. I am doing my very best to improve the breed. By saying that, I mean I am trying to improve the showline by actually trying to increase working ability and not breeding for "type" because the dog is pretty orange red color. I want to be known as the kennel that brought the working ability back to the conformation dogs. It may take me a decade to do it, but I am going to give it my very best shot. I have a great foundation bitch that most likely will pass on her drive and desire. Finding a male that isn't related to her to compliment her and add to the breeding program is the problem.

"Finding a male that isn't related to her to compliment her and add to the breeding program is the problem." Linebreeding can be a very strong tool.

Shinokami, Makes a good point, I would only say be very cautious with linebreeding, If you wish to do it, find a breeder with much expeirience to help you decide if linebreeding is right for you with the dogs you choose, will they compliment each other, what faults will be enhanced, what strengths will be enhanced and so on. We all know that breeding is somewhat of a crap shoot anyway, with linebreeding things can really get sideways if done improperly. linebreeding indeed CAN be a strong tool, when used absolutely correctly, Expeirience can tell you if it is correct to do so or not advisable. Good Luck :-)

sppok- Good question. I wonder if Alf Hamburger Michel's line is still around. He was a splendid Rott... one of the few I ever saw that I really LIKED. Dean trained him and competed with him for years. Dogford- Speak for yourself. ;) Dees wolf- Good aspiration. I want to be known for bring the "pretty" back into the working dog! :-D SS