Breeding Programs

Oh it's a beautiful term. Sounds so slick as it rolls off the tongue and gives an air of 'I know what I'm doing'. But really, what all is your 'program'? I mean, what's mine? With no snark intended, let's think about that for a minute.

And a random PSA:
It's time to pay your membership dues to NIPPO, AKIHO, KKA, HKH etc etc. After April you will have to pay an additional registration fee.

Cheers!

Comments

  1. I recommend this for reading:

    http://www.lulu.com/shop/american-livestock-breeds-conservancy/managing-breeds-for-a-secure-future-wideformat2/paperback/product-2172798.html

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  2. For what it's worth, I always thought 'program' represented the breeder's intentions for the breed, genetic considerations, health considerations, culling, planned matings, imports, testing, etc.

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    Replies
    1. Yes, I imagine it does and should encapsulate a lot of things, but my feeling at the moment is that often there's a lot less meat behind the term when people use it.

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  3. For what it's worth, I always thought 'program' represented the breeder's intentions for the breed, genetic considerations, health considerations, culling, planned matings, imports, testing, etc.

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  4. People can be so flaky and enamored with sounding professional or wanting to impress others with their know-how, that very little thought goes into the longterm and HOW to actually get there, or what the back up plans will be, etc. For me with Hokkaido, it's hard to call it "my" program since these are all essentially imports bred by other people with way more know-how than I have, from their programs.

    Now that I have some puppies born here, it's easier to think of them as "mine" and that means I have to accept total responsibility for what happens to them and make a firm plan with firm goals. For me, initial goals are to create numbers, get the breed on the map in the US, plan out the most breeding options 4-5 generations + down the road, import more dogs, and focus on making healthy puppies that are placed into stable dedicated homes.

    I would like to continue selecting for easier to handle dogs, from both hunting and show lines, in the entire rainbow of colors, that are healthy. I am not in a position to own many dogs, but I would like to import another puppy in the next few years, do 1-2 breedings per year, and go from there.

    I'm thrilled with the direction the club is going so far, slow but steady.

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    Replies
    1. See that's what I want to hear when someone talks about their 'program'.

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