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Selection of Breeding Stock in Anatolian Shepherds by Jennifer Floyd |
| "...no dog is perfect, but some are closer to the ideals
toward which we strive. Others are far removed. There is no need to bother with
a dog that is not an excellent example of the breed... regardless of any
specific breed characteristics, a dog considered for breeding must be in
excellent health and be free from hereditary defects. He must have an excellent
temperament - no exceptions. There can be no ifs, ands, or buts in the areas of
health and temperament. Do not be fooled into thinking that this dog is
so outstanding in head, coat, or whatever, that he can be forgiven his spooky or
aggressive nature." (Holst, Canine Reproduction, p.3) |
| "There is no reason to perpetuate mediocrity."
(Walkowicz
& Wilcox, Successful Dog Breeding, p.1) |
| What is 'breeding quality', and how can you
decide if your dog is suitable for breeding? First of all, in a working breed
such as the Anatolian Shepherd, your dog should be able to do the work that he
(or she) was developed to do. The Anatolian Shepherd is, first and foremost, a livestock
guardian. This means that he must be free of crippling genetic diseases,
be of rugged constitution (so as to be able to thrive in extremes of weather),
and be possessed of a responsible temperament. A shy or vicious disposition, the
inability to think for himself while on guard, under or over size, a sparse or
excessively lengthy coat, or an unsound constitution are all faults that could
preclude a dog from fulfilling the task of livestock guardianship - and he would
probably not be as good a personal companion, either. Remember, you must be able
to objectively evaluate your dog's strengths and weaknesses. |
| In order to begin evaluating your dog, you
should become familiar with the breed standard. Are your dog's elbows
"close to his sides?" Is his belly "well tucked up?" Does he
have "complete dentition?" If a male, are "both testicles
descended?" Are his eyes set "well apart" showing "no
haw?" These are all points of health and good structure,
whether or not your dog ever sets paw in the show ring. |
| However, it is not enough to have a well-built
dog. Is your dog good with livestock? A discriminating guardian of your home? Is
he a pleasant dog to live with? If you are having problems with
him, then it is likely that his offspring will be difficult dogs, also. Can your
dog perform basic obedience commands (walk on leash, stay, come) and behave
himself in public? Even a full-time livestock guardian needs to be capable of
being socialized to the point where he will not offer to eat unknown humans in
the vet's office, away from his territory. |
| Once you have evaluated your dog's structure and
mental make-up, you need to examine him in even greater detail, down to the
secrets in his bones and blood. After the age of 24 months, x-rays should be
taken of your dog's hips, and evaluated by the OFA. The OFA recommends that only
dogs rated good or excellent be used for breeding, as the rating of fair is
actually below average hip structure for the breed. Many people x-ray elbows
also, for signs of dysplasia in those joints (this is also certified through the
OFA). Another problem that the breed is prone to is hypothyroidism, which can
cause infertility, lethargy, obesity, hair loss and skin disease, and which has
been linked, in Dobermans and other breeds, to hemophilia (VWD) and autoimmune
disease. Hypothyroidism may not manifest in a dog until he is three or four
years old, and has already been the parent of several litters; some unscrupulous
breeders may then supplement their dogs with artificial hormones to preserve
health and fertility, and continue to breed their dogs. Affected dogs must be
treated with hormone replacements, once or twice daily, for the rest of their
lives. Prospective breeding animals should have a complete blood screening which
measures not only T4 levels (tetraiodothyroxine), but also T3 levels, in bound
and unbound states, as well as measuring antithyroid antibodies. This tells you
not only if your dog is presently healthy, but if he is likely to remain that
way. At the same office visit, another blood sample can be taken to test for von
Willebrand's disease, a common form of hemophilia in dogs. It is also desirable
to have your dog evaluated by a veterinary opthamologist, and the results
registered with CERF (Canine Eye Registration Foundation), as a means of
screening your dog for entropion, ectropion, PRA (progressive retinal atrophy),
juvenile cataracts, and other malformations of the eye. |
| Is all of this testing and evaluation of your
dog really necessary? If we want to not only maintain, but to improve our breed,
it most certainly is necessary. There is no crime in producing occasional
defects - they can occur in anyone's breeding program - but "those
'breeders' who do not take even the most elementary steps to try to avoid known
problems in their breed are a disgrace to it and those who, when they do produce
a problem, 'bury it quickly' and try to keep quiet about it are putting their
personal status, in terms of power and glory, before the breed." (Willis, Practical
Genetics for Dog Breeders, p.18-19) Raising good dogs is "a
time-consuming, demanding, and expensive project." (Holst, Canine
Reproduction, p.4) If we are careful to select only sound, healthy dogs with
sensible dispositions to mate with others of their kind, we can avoid the
genetic problems, mental infirmities, and extremes of detrimental fancy points
that are widespread among many pure-bred dogs today. The breed has grown to the
point where we can be extremely selective with breeding stock, the
foundation for the future of the Anatolian Shepherd. |
| For more information on what is involved in being an ethical
breeder, visit Breeding Ethics. |
| To learn more about modern reproduction
methods (cooled and frozen semen supplies), visit Canine
Cryobank. |
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Carricato, Annette, Veterinary Notes for Dog Breeders, Howell Book House, New York, 1992. Harris, Beth J. Finder, Breeding a Litter: The Complete Book of Prenatal & Postnatal Care, Howell Book House, 1993. Holst, Phyllis A., Canine Reproduction, Alpine Publications, Inc., Colorado, 1985. Shook, Larry, Puppy Report, Lyons & Burford, New York, 1992. Walkowicz & Wilcox, Successful Dog Breeding, Arco Publishing, Inc., New York, 1985. Willis, Malcolm B., Practical Genetics for Dog Breeders, Howell Book House, New York, 1992. |
