Questions for those in the know about breeding

[Tam]

I just want to say up fron Koi is spayed and I will tell you all what I told the vet when she asked if we were going to spay. " I don't know enough about this breed to know anything about breeding them." I knew before we got Koi she would be spayed reguardless of what breed we got.
OK here are my questions purely out of curiosity and my personal quest to learn. Can two mismarked dogs produce a perfectly or accetably marked pup? Or a perfectly marked and mismarked produce perfectly marked? I guess what I am getting at is what makes you decide what would be good show stock ( I know retired show stock can become breeding stock) what would make good breeding stock and what goes as pet with spay/neuter clause in the contract?

[andie]

Can two mismarked dogs produce a perfectly or accetably marked pup? Or a perfectly marked and mismarked produce perfectly marked? I guess what I am getting at is what makes you decide what would be good show stock ( I know retired show stock can become breeding stock) what would make good breeding stock and what goes as pet with spay/neuter clause in the contract?

I am not a breeder, but I do know a little about it....First, you want to produce the best quality possible....If you look at my molly, she is black/with a little brindle, and white...nice ears, blah...etc...but would be THE WORST ever choice in breeding...SHe carries, FOR SURE the LP problems, her skull didn't close as a puppy, and who knows what else! If you have a genetically put together dog, that also represents the AKC standard, that is a dog you may consider breeding. There are multiple test you need to get, but it is also very important you know at least 4 generations back, because a gene can skip....One test bostons get is CERF, which checks for the deaf gene...It is much more common for an all white, or mismarked dog to carry this, so I would never advise breeding one.

Here is a good site, with a wealth of information!

HERE (http://www.lowchensaustralia.com/breeding.htm#beforebr)

ALSO (http://www.akc.org/breeds/boston_terrier/index.cfm)

[Laurie]

Lola, who obviously has a white face with a partial blue eye, was born of parents that were NOT mismarked. So even a dog that is not mismarked, or white faced, can produce a white faced pup. Another GREAT reason to check GENEOLOGY and do health testing. Lucky for me, lucky for her, she is not deaf :)

Here is some info on BAER testing. This tests checks the dogs hearing.

Article On Deafness put out by BTCOA (http://bostonterrierclubofamerica.org/health/BOSTON%20TERRIER%20DEAFNESS.pdf)

Boston Terrier Ears by BTCOA (http://bostonterrierclubofamerica.org/health/Ears.html)

Link to BAER testing sites in your area:
BAER Testing sites (http://www.lsu.edu/deafness/baersite.htm)

[Tam]

Thanks Andie and Laurie. Like I said I was just curious and I will never become a breeder. There is just so much to learn and do to be responsable. I would rather leave it to the pros :)

[JeanE]

Hi Tam!

I think some of your questions have been answerd already but, I'll do my best to share what I know after breeding and showing Bostons for 20 years now. Can two mismarked dogs produce a perfectly or accetably marked pup? Or a perfectly marked and mismarked produce perfectly marked? Yes, but reputable breeders will never do this as the white factor has been known to contribute to deafness in Bostons. The AKC standard for Bostons as far as white goes, states: Required markings: White muzzle band, white blaze between eyes, white forechest.

Desired markings: White muzzle band, even white blaze between the eyes and over the head, white collar, white forechest, white on part or whole of foreleg and hind legs below the hock. The BTCA is working on some revisions on the standard and it may evenutally state that the dog may not be over 1/3 white.

I guess what I am getting at is what makes you decide what would be good show stock ( I know retired show stock can become breeding stock) what would make good breeding stock Breeding stock should be "show stock". If the dogs you are breeding would not be able to win the show ring then you most likely should not be breeding them. Thier structure should be sound and to the standard. Thier temperment should not be shy nor hyper active. They should have not only passed CERF, BAER and Patella testing but thier parents and grand parents should still be passing thier health tests as well. You need a good solid back ground of healthy dogs on both the sire and dam's side. You then want to breed two Bostons that will complement each other. In other words if one has a more round then square head or one has a better top line then the other you hope to balance out any weaknesses in structure. You would not breed two dogs with longer noses together, or two dogs with not quite enough angulation in the rear, etc.


and what goes as pet with spay/neuter clause in the contract? This a FAQ of good breeders for sure!
:-) A "pet" puppy is sold as such from a reputable breeder if they don't think it will do well in the ring. It may not have an outgoing enough attitude or it may have a bit too much white in the corners of the eyes or the tail might be carried too high, etc. and yes, if they have one with too much white to be shown it will be sold as a pet as well and most likely the breeder will not repeat the breeding that produced that puppy. Puppies sold as pets from reputable breeders are just as healthy as the show puppy brothers and sisters. Most of the time, if you have not been showing Bostons or not extremely familiar with the standard you will not be able to see why your pet can not be shown. Not every Boston born to a long line of champions is cut out for the show ring.

BREEDING DOGS is not a right, it is a privilege. As such there are responsibilities incumbent upon anyone who undertakes to do so. These responsibilities include the stewardship of the breed.

What benefits the dogs must take precedence over what benefits the people.