I have questions that keep running through my mind as we see the number of dogs in the BTCompass pedigree database grow. These questions come from years of researching pedigrees, evaluating the dogs in each one, and hoping for the qualities you want from a mating.
It also comes from sitting ringside at shows like Silverwood and the National each year, where the catalog lists the dam and sire of each dog. Comparing offspring from different dams over the years gives a good idea of what a prolific stud dog can produce.
Doing this "homework" before breeding was something I always considered very important. It wasn’t about using the most popular male but finding one who would complement my bitch and produce better than himself.
Is this thought process still valuable to breeders today? If not, why?
When researching pedigrees from generations back, I found it helpful to talk to people who had actually seen or judged the dogs. Are these discussions still valuable to breeders today? If not, why?
Pedigrees clearly help with planning breeding’s and anticipating health issues, but they also help you understand your dog’s unique ancestry and place in breed history. Is knowing who is in your dog’s pedigree still important? If not, why?
The “Stickdog” pedigree method by Dr. Carmen L. Battaglia has always fascinated me. It shows the strengths and weaknesses of each ancestor in a pedigree. If you’re not familiar with it, I encourage you to check it out. It might offer new insights into the importance of pedigrees.
And, can we talk about these questions? I would love to hear your thoughts.
