Newlinden & Jankeri Collie Rough Kennels

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The Pitfalls of Dog Breeding

PIT FALLS OF DOG BREEDING continued

Years ago we did not even know anything about C.E.A. or its implications.    Of course we asked questions when the odd blind puppy turned up in our litters, but there were no such thing as  Canine Opthalmologists then to give us definitive readings of our dogs eyes.   Even though we were aware there was some sort of problem, we didn't quite know what it was and made many mistakes by breeding with carriers of C.E.A., before we learned of the dangers.   Now however, we live in the AGE OF ENLIGHTENMENT don't we, and almost all reputable, experienced breeders understand basic genetic science.  We are very well informed about the world wide problems with Collie's eyes and how they are transmitted, so we no longer have the excuse of IGNORANCE do we?

Yes,  we know that Collie Eye Anomaly etc. will be an ongoing challenge for ALL COLLIE BREEDERS world wide for many years to come.     The cause is not helped by a case like this:   I know of a particular show dog some years ago now, who was regularly producing BLIND PUPS in his litters, however his owner DID NOT remove him from stud duties because of the high quality of show dogs produced by him who were not visibly affected, but very likely carriers   This dog went on to produce many winning  show dogs and I wonder just how far and wide this ONE DOG'S faulty genes has penetrated  into our dogs today   It is hard enough having to risk breeding with mildly affected dogs in order to retain some semblance of breed type, that is one thing, but when and if  a phenotypically BLIND  puppy turns up; it is time never to breed again with the parents who produced it, isn't it?    This is VERY HARD TO DO if it happens to be one of your best prospects, for often there may have been several normal, good quality litters born prior to the affected one before it was even realised there WAS a problem.!!

THAT IS ALL THE BAD NEWS.. but be encouraged because the principles governing genetics are equally true  for GOOD GENES as well as BAD.   LINE BREEDING with quality stock can be a valuable foundation on which to build a bloodline, as long as you are prepared to CULL RIGIDLY and do not breed with animals EXHIBITING SERIOUS INHERITED FAULTS.  I have always found it helpful when considering a potential mating, to imagine that there are really 4 DOGS before you instead of 2..   There are the TWO DOGS I can actually see (phenotype) and the TWO DOGS I CANNOT see (genotype).   The two I cannot see are just as real and equally important as the two I can see.!!!  It is really only great knowledge of your own dog and it's close relations that can help you to assess just what that HIDDEN DOG might produce, assisting you to choose an appropriate mate.

I imagine in the world of nature there is a good deal of linebreeding practiced  as a matter of course, but there is also a ruthless culling process known as "survival of the fittest".   Weaklings simply do not survive the nest,  so never ever reach adulthood to perpetuate the species, and even then only the strongest live to carry the genes on.   The males must EARN  their right to breed at all and have to maintain this privilege with aggression and strength.   No helpful human hands here to hold his females in place for him whilst he decides to do IT!!  There is no doubt we have ALL been guilty of struggling to save those weaklings in our litters that would have certainly been eliminated in the natural process.   The WORST thing is that having saved those who should NEVER have lived at all is that, later on we ACTUALLY BREED FROM THEM!! One ponders the possibility that some of the genetic faults that appear are manifested in this way.     WHEREVER THEY COME FROM !!!!

It is a great shame that many of our dogs, particularly the so called "head" breeds,(whatever that means!!) and some of the "coated" breeds as well, have paid such a high price for the 'FADS AND FANCIES" of the show ring.   I believe that now aspiring judges  ARE ACTUALLY TAUGHT to put Breed Type over soundness....I find that ludicrous,  especially when one is judging WORKING DOGS.  Would not BREED TYPE be exemplified by SOUNDNESS more so than the other "pretty" virtues, such as prolific coats and classic heads.    Great to see these attributes that is for sure, but their value is lost on an unsound dog.    From what I see these days, many judges might as well just judge the dogs STANDING STILL for all the attention paid to actual soundness.   Maybe this is one of the MAIN REASONS  that our pedigreed dogs have come into such a disgraceful state of DISREPUTE of late, because unfortunately, breeders will breed first and foremost to what they see is WINNING IN THE RING as their standard, rather than learning and applying the breed standards themselves.

 In conclusion, I say particularly to up and coming breeders, DO NOT SWEEP UNDER THE CARPET the problems that will definitely arise as you breed more and more litters, but seek help.   Always remembering, we do not OWN our special breed, but we are certainly stewards of their WELFARE!!