‍It’s What’s Up Front That Counts by Patricia Trotter

‍If we wish to achieve our goal of breeding quality dogs, we must set our sights on producing and rewarding dogs with correct front-end assemblies by concentrating on breeding correctly structured forequarters and valuing them more highly. Our expectations for most breeds should be to produce dogs with correctly sloping shoulders that are accompanied by equal length and angle of upper arm.                                                                                          READ MORE…

‍Putting Up A Better Front by Patricia Trotter

‍There are two reasons I place so much emphasis on judges whose opinions value correct front- end assembly. First, correct fronts are the hardest structural trait to keep in any family of dogs. Second, once correct fronts are lost from the gene pool, they are very difficult, if not impossible, to recover. To further complicate matters, there seems to be widespread misunderstanding about exactly what constitutes a good front.                                                     READ MORE…       

‍If there is a universal fault apparent in the North American show dog it is, without a doubt, in the front end of the caboose. It is interesting, however, that when there's talk about building good fronts on our dogs the conversation is most often inclined to confine itself to layback or angulation of the shoulder.  Correct respective shoulder angulation is certainly not easy to achieve, but the shoulder is not alone when it comes to achieving correct front construction. Not enough consideration is given to the return and lay of another very important bone in the front assembly--the upper arm.

‍Look to the Past for Success in the Future

‍By Richard Beauchamp

‍There are, of course, many very knowledgeable people within a breed who have not actually bred litters in recent years but whose knowledge of the breed remains matchless. Unfortunately, far too few individuals of this kind are called upon to assist in the development and maintenance of breeds. I can name countless veterans, who because they are no longer actively competing in the rings or participating in the whelping rooms, sit idly home month after month, year after year never hearing from anyone in their breed. These great individuals hold the key to the future of all our breeds. They know what has happened in the breeds. They know what can happen. Yet, there they sit, their breeding genius, their incomparable knowledge of the breed, totally overlooked.

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‍Breeding The Great One

‍By Richard Beauchamp

‍When does the novice really become a player in the dog game? In all the interviews I have conducted through the years, even the most directed and successful invariably spoke about that “first puppy.”  Even those whose first dog was purebred almost inevitably made the decision that the pup was of less than winning quality. Although some had a vague notion of “going into breeding” or perhaps even showing their dog, the reoccurring theme seemed to be: first the urge, then the purchase, and finally the realization that “Old Shep” or “Little Nell” was exactly what theydid not need to get started in the right direction. So they loved their first one, had it spayed or neutered and moved on realizing their mistake. Step number one completed. Step number two is the critical one, and unfortunately the one all too often skipped. But for the wise, those who are willing to learn by their errors, this is also the step at which the individual begins to follow a separate path from those who are not willing admit they have made a mistake. It is here the wise forge ahead with a strong mental note to think long and hard before…                                                                                                                                             READ MORE… 

‍What is a Stud Dog?  by Richard Beauchamp

‍Few, if any, outside breeders would jeopardize his own carefully laid foundation by breeding to a dog that has few or no producing credentials. The clever breeder is just as selective in stud dogs as he should have been in assembling the best bitch line possible.  This is where the reader should actually begin their breeding program - by purchasing the best possible bitch he can that comes from a line of quality producing bitches. And then their next project is to find, regardless of where in the world the dog resides, the right stud dog for her.   I italicize the word stud dog because so few people really know the true meaning of the word…

‍Subfertility in Stud Dogs

‍ - Part 2

‍By Kara A. Kolster, DVM DACT

‍The results of a thorough semen analysis as well as breeding history may help determine the cause of subfertility in a stud dog. However, in over 50% of cases the underlying cause may not be known. In these cases, management of living conditions, overall health, and diet should be optimized in attempt to improve semen quality.                                                                                READ MORE…

‍Built to Last: The Basics of Canine Conformation & Anatomy by Denise Flaim

‍Temperament in Dogs  -   Nature vs Nurture

‍Understanding canine temperaments and personalities have come a long way in the last several decades. A dog's temperament can influence how they behave, especially as puppies. How a puppy is raised can undoubtedly influence their personality and behaviors. 

‍SUGGESTED READING LIST

‍Explore a list of exceptional books and authors that will provide you with detailed insights to enhance your breeding program and achieve success in the show ring.

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