Breed Spotlight

Labrador Retriever (Sporting Group)
• Original Purpose: Hunting dog
• AKC Recognition: 1917
• Temperament: Gentle, outgoing, eager-to-please
• Did You Know: The Lab is one of the prime breeds selected as guide and rescue dogs.
• Read more about the Labrador Retriever.

Canaan Dog (Herding Group)
• Original Purpose: Guard and herding dog
• AKC Recognition: 1997
• Temperament: Alert, vigilant, docile with family; aloof with strangers
• Did You Know: The Canaan Dog is the natural breed of Israel and dates back to Biblical times.
• Read more about the Canaan Dog.

Parson Russell Terrier (Terrier Group)
• Original Purpose: Foxhunter
• AKC Recognition: 1997
• Temperament: Bold, friendly, athletic and clever
• Did You Know: The Parson was bred to follow a fox underground to flush him out for the hunter.
• Read more about the Parson Russell Terrier.

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New Breed Standards

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While going thru my local newspaper I came upon this clip and decided to post it-

New Breed Standards:A Britain's Kennel Club has announced major reforms to breed standards and accepted breeding practices for purebred dogs.  The changes come in response to concerns that purebreds have serious health problems as a reult of breeding for the show ring.  Prominent among affected breeds is the bulldog, the Chow Chow, the Chinese Shar-pei, the German shepherd and the Labrador retriever.

This was posted in the Minneapolis Star Tribune Thursday, January 15, 2009.

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DNA Testing To Help Dog Breeds

There is a lot of controversy surrounding the DNA testing of dogs, specifically breeders versus buyer’s mentality, but there is no way to deny that DNA testing can significantly help any dog breed. The problem with breeding is that is has been going on for so long and certain breeds are genetically predisposed to certain problems, some of which can be quite serious. Reputable, responsible dog breeders have always made a point of not breeding dogs which display any of these problems, but this is no longer enough. The problem with this technique, as breeders have been noticing for quite a while now, is that you can still end up breeding a carrier of a breed specific health or behavioral problem without even knowing it – the carriers never necessarily exhibit the symptoms of the problem itself, but they pass it on to their puppies, and then breeders are left with a litter of whelps which are either carriers themselves or ultimately develop the problem.

With DNA testing, it is now possible to test for certain genetic defects and problems. That way, breeders can end the cycle and they will no longer have to take chances which inevitably result in breeding a carrier and making his or her progeny suffer for it. Given that the ultimate goal of the good, responsible dog breeder is to make every litter of puppies better than his or her parents, these DNA techniques give them a much better chance to do this. They will be able to get closer and closer to achieving the Breed Standard, something that it has long been understood could not ever really be reached. Now, it is potentially possible – or at least more possible than it has ever been before.
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What To Consider Before Breeding Your Dog

There are several crucial things to consider before breeding your dog. These are things that you need to be aware of and familiarize yourself before you take the first step towards breeding your dog – in fact, knowing some essential facts should be your first step. The population for domesticated pets is getting incredibly out of control, and it is important that all dog breeders be aware of that problem and make responsible decisions with the animal population in mind.

To begin with, neither AKC registration, CKC registration, UCK registration, nor any other type of registration is an automatic indication of dog qualities. To be perfectly honest, there are a lot of dogs out there which simply should not be bred. Breeding, especially pure breeding, has been going on for a very long time, and some of the progeny in certain breeds are really showing the effects of that. Some of them have defects when it comes to bone structure, health, behavior, and personality, and these defects should not be passed onto another generation. That is something you need to consider before breeding your dog: how healthy is he or she? Does he or she have any such health problems? The top goal of every good breeder is to meet the Breed Standard. You should only seek to improve the breed.

If you are thinking about breeding your dog as a way to make money quickly, then you need to think again. Becoming a breeder initially costs much more money than it will ever make. It is an investment of time, love, patience, care, and money. Think about it: sires, dams, and puppies all need their shots; regular vet check ups; food; shelter; proof of quality; et cetera. You may have to pay stud fees, there may be complications with a dam’s pregnancy – nothing is impossible, and the possibilities are endless.
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How To Find A Reputable Breeder

In order to find a reputable breeder, you first need to recognize and familiarize yourself with what a reputable is and what a reputable breeder does. Anyone can take a male and female dog, mate them together, and breed puppies, and a lot of people do actually do this, then they sell the puppies for far more than they may be worth. It is thus important to research and look into all the breeders from whom you are thinking about getting a dog. If it is a truly good breeder with a steady, respectable reputation, then he or she will not mind that you ask questions – in fact, he or she will likely encourage it!

There are some personality traits and practices you need to look for when choosing a good breeder. For starts, the dog breeder you choose should be responsible; he or she should take extremely good care of all of his or her dogs, whether they are part of the breeding stock or the litters. In order to be considered responsible, a dog breeder should provide several things, beginning with satisfactory companionship for his or her dogs. They should not just be baby making machines or dollar signs instead of puppies. A reputable dog breeder loves his or her dogs, and shows them affection, interacts with them, and gives them all the attention they need. A reputable dog breeder pays very close attention to nutrition, providing healthy food and fresh water; he or she will provide sufficient shelter as well, in addition to immunizations, adequate veterinary care, grooming, exercise, and socialization.

A reputable dog breeder should not be some Joe off the street who simply threw two dogs together and had them mate. He or she should belong to some kind of breeding club, whether it is a national club, a local club, or both. Furthermore, he or she should strictly follow the breeding club’s Code of Ethics.
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Dog Breeding: An Introduction

Dog breeding is not an endeavor which should ever be taken lightly, and it should never be done for the wrong reasons. For instance, if you are in it for the money, then stop now. If you want to breed your dog because you want a puppy just like him or her, then stop now. If you cannot or are unwilling to invest the time, patience, love, care, and money necessary to become a dog breeder then stop now. If you are interested in breeding your dog just once, “just for fun,” or just for the experience, then stop now. Becoming a really good, reputable dog breeder takes years and there are several crucial things to understand.

To begin with, the goal of all good dog breeders should be to meet the Breed Standard; that is what you should always strive for, whether it is possible or not. No one has ever bred the perfect dog, but trying, always, to get as close to healthy perfection as you possibly can is the key. You need to really sit down and think about why you are considering dog breeding. The best dog breeders do so because they love dogs and are fulfilled by spending time and effort on and with them. It takes true commitment and a deep love for dogs, because that way, you know that their health and happiness will always be at the forefront of your mind.
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