Understanding Dog Breeding
Dogs have been selectively bred for generations to fulfil particular roles. How well the puppy grows into its role depends on both learned behaviour from purpose training and inheritance. This section deals purely with inheritance. Inheritance is the receipt of genetic characteristics from the dog's parents and direct predecessors. By understanding how inherited characteristics are passed on from one generation to the next, this section should assist you in understanding dog breeding and so produce the dog of your dreams[1].
[1] Jane Harvey, "Breeding a Better Airedale" in The Airedale Terrier Year Book 1975 (National Airedale Terrier Association published 1986 UK) Pages 60-63.
'Breeding a Better Airedale' was republished with the appropriate breed name in the title in newsletters of various Club publications including the Airedale Terrier Club of Victoria, the Queensland Airedalers, the Terrier Club of Canberra,"Standfast" the newsletter of the Sporting Terrier Club of Victoria, the Gundog Club of Victoria,the Golden Retriever Club of Victoria, the Golden Retriever Club of South Australia,the English Springer Spaniel Club of Victoria, and 'Bassett Ear' newsletter of the Basset Hound Club of Victoria
How Characteristics are Inherited
Each living body is made up of masses of cells. In mammals these cells take various forms e.g. bone cells, muscle cells, blood cells etc., but none the less all living tissue is made up of cells. A cell consists of a body like substance of tissue and a central "heart" called a nucleus. The nucleus is made up of nucleoprotein which, when ready for division forms itself into chains of chromosomes.
Selecting your Foundation Bitch and her Mate
The basis of any kennel is a good brood bitch. The choice of the male dog (sire) should come later. A good brood bitch is not necessarily one that comes into season regularly and produces masses of pups. A mongrel can do that and people who feel their brood bitch is a good one because she does are thinking more of their pocket than the breed. A good brood bitch should possess the following attributes:
Breeding Definitions Explained
This section contains explanations of some of the breeding terms - family lines, in-breeding, out-crossing and line-breeding which are often used (and misused) when discussing selective breeding of pedigreed animals.