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CHOOSING THE BEST PUPPIES – 5th BREEDER SKILL
Learning the techniques required to choose the best puppy is a
skill often overlooked by breeders. This was confirmed in a
study that included several breeds. More than 60% of the topwinning
dogs in these breeds were not owned by their breeders.
Reasons given were: lack of skills necessary to choose or
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recognize them, sold too early, pressure from pet buyers.
Experts agree that choosing puppies is perhaps the most
underdeveloped skill. To help solve this problem, a new video
was developed called, “Choosing the Best Puppy". Go to:
www.breedingbetterdogs.com
HEALTH AND GENETICS
The following information is intended to raise awareness levels.
Breeders should be aware of their potential use in evaluating
breeding stock. A common mistake is not to select against
carriers because they have not yet produced an affected pup. A
better approach is to manage the carriers thus reducing their
frequency. In many breeds there are disorders that cripple,
blind, cause early death or kill. These are known as the dreaded
diseases. They should be given the highest priority. One
guideline for managing the carriers follows:
Autosomal Dominant Disorders.
These disorders are relatively easy to manage. Each affected
dog has at least one affected parent. The recommendation is to
not breed these individuals to affected individuals. One of the
problems breeders will face is that some of the disorders are
called incomplete penetrance. In other words, some will not
show themselves and roughly half of their offspring will be
affected. If a genetic test is available these dogs should be
tested. Those that test positive for a dreaded disease should be
excluded from breeding.
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DATABASES FOR BREEDERS
Learn more about tests and other protocols that are useful for
screening breeding stock. Visit these websites:
1. AKC Canine Health Foundation www.akcchf.org
2. Orthopedic Foundation for Animals www.offa.org
3. Canine Health Information Center (CHIC)
www.caninehealthinfo.org
4. Breeding Better Dogs www.breedingbetterdogs.com
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NEW TECHNOLOGY FOR OLD DOGS
In Newsletter #25 we reported that Japanese Company (NIKKEN)
had developed a better way to deal with the discomfort and
achiness of old age. According to Dr. Shawn Messonnier,
“magnets help enhance the body’s energy flow to allow healing
and proper metabolism”. Magnet therapy is not a cure-all for
treating arthritis or the vertebral disorders of old age but it is a
safe and inexpensive alternative for treating these symptoms.
Breeders find that after a dog lies on the PetPad it is better able
to walk and move about. It provides comfort and warmth to their
joints and muscles. The Kenko PetPad is machine-washable
and is available in two sizes; 48” X 30” and 29” X 20”. Look for it
on our website www.breedingbetterdogs.com
RECORD KEEPING - 7th BREEDER SKILL
Breeders who have attended the Breeding Better Dogs Seminars
know the importance of a good record system. For example,
coding pedigrees for their strengths, weaknesses (health,
temperament and DNA test results) is central to making
improvements. Recently AKC developed a FREE “Users Guide
to Record Keeping and Identification”. This Guide includes Bill
of Sale Requirements, records and forms needed to import
dogs, the rules for microchipping and DNA. The Guide also
includes the policies for Auctions and frequently used sires. It is
available at no charge from the AKC Web site www.aka.org or
AKC Customer Service at 919 233-9767 or e-mail
orderdesk@akc.org.
MYTH AND FOLKLORE
All dogs, even the mixed breeds, have health problems. The
good news is that veterinary science continues to solve
problems that occur in purebred breeds. This means that
breeders can continue to screen out the carriers. Those who
breed the mixed breeds (Labradoodle, etc.) have a much
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different problem. Their pups will carry all of the genetic
diseases occurring in each of their ancestral breeds which on
the average will exceed those occurring in purebred dogs. This
makes the designer dogs a “genetic soup” for health,
temperament, appearance and behavior. Breeders who
deliberately cross-breed (designer dogs) have a responsibility to
their buyers. With no research to help them reduce disease,
temperament and behavior problems they are likely to have
pups with large and continuing vet bills.
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LIFE STAGES
Dr. Fortney of Kansas State U., has identified four life stages in
dogs:
Pediatric 0 - 1 year
Maintenance 1 - 6 years
Senior > 7 years
Geriatric > 10 years
Within each of these life stages Dr. Fortney has found five
progressive areas of decline that involve the overall physical
condition of the dog, their organ functions, sensory functions,
mental and immunity functions. Each of these functions decline with
age. Dr. Fortney reported that the oldest person has been recorded
at 126 years. The oldest dog recorded is 29 years (Australian Cattle
Dog), the oldest cat 39 years. The oldest cat in the US was 34 years
old.
Send your comments to AKC Secretary, Jim Crowley:
jxc@akc.org. The deadline for comments is December 25, 2008.
BREEDER INFORMATION – FACTS
The first AKC sponsored show was held in 1926 at Philadelphia
in conjunction with America’s sesquicentennial celebration. The
second, also in Philadelphia, celebrated the AKC’s 100th
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anniversary in 1984. The third was an invitational held at
Baltimore in 1992.
KEY TO SUCCESS
Today, there are volumes of information now available on most
subjects. That’s why we believe, “Those who don't read have no
advantage over those who can't”. Visit:
www.breedingbetterdogs.com