How Do We Measure A Stud Dog’s Value To The Breed?

November 2012National Breed Supervisor

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By His

• Show placings• Bloodlines• Progeny• Being typical of his

sire• Dam• Animation in

Movement

• Schutzdienst• Presence• Clever marketing• Acceptance by

Breeders (Zuchteinsatz)

And Do You Consider These Points When You Assess A Stud

Dog?

• Age of stud dog• How often used (depends inter-alia on quality and

show placings)• Anatomy and TSB ( also of the parents)• Number of litters and puppies• Depends on how many puppies and young dogs

remain active in dog sport

Show PLACINGS• It is an ideal marketing tool I F the dog is doing

well on the first time out, however it can have disastrous future effects on the dog if he does not perform.

• Breeders and public are very unforgiving.• It takes an unbelievable amount of time, effort and

perseverance on behalf of the owner of the stud dog to rebuild his reputation.

• The damage has been done .• Therefore, show placings are only valuable if top

positions are achieved.• They should definitely not be the deciding factor to

use or not to use the dog and most certainly do not determine the value of the dog as a producer.

Bloodlines• Without bloodlines you would not have a breed,

therefore bloodlines are extremely important but require an enormous amount of knowledge and breeders having that knowledge are not always prepared to pass it on.

• It is of utmost importance that Breed Supervisors hold educational bloodline seminars.

• Bloodlines, however, can also be fashionable and for the new breeder this can have devastating effects on his breeding program.

• Bloodlines will make or break a kennel, but since it takes a long time before the effect is seen, the breed supervisors should be consulted before matings take place especially for the inexperienced breeder.

Progeny• This is the most important visual tool with which to judge the value of

a stud dog !!!• A progeny group will portrait the sire’s attributes – both positive and

negative.• All the brain washing and preconceived ideas will fall away when a

progeny group is presented. Only the naked truth will be seen.• It also is a very influential marketing tool and many stud dogs

worldwide receive their recognition after they present progeny groups.• ALWAYS REMEMBER

• A STUD DOGS’ VALUE LIES IN PRODUCING NOT IN SHOWING• The prepotency of a stud dog will really only be seen in the future

generations; • His first generation will put him on the map but his real producing

value will follow in the second and third generation. THIS IS VERY OFTEN FORGOTTEN.

• WE ALL SEEM TO BE IN A HURRY AND DEMAND IMMEDIATE RESULTS!!!

Being Typical Of His Sire

• One of the most important points which is often overlooked• More often you hear: “ he is the son of the Sieger “ or “ he

is a son of the VA 2” • Seldom you hear: “He resembles his sire” or “he is typical

of his sire”• When you select a stud dog ask yourself first – “is he typical

of his sire”• This is t h e most important question to be asked in the

selection process

Dam Line• This point forms an integral part of the value of the stud dog and is

very often ignored.

• Dam lines are of paramount importance but only if their background is solid, e.g. siblings and their achievements, fertility (number of puppies in a litter), track record of quality of litters to a variety of stud dogs.

• But even when taking dam lines into consideration the newcomer is impressed if the dam was a VA or even the Siegerin and thinks or hopes the offspring will follow suit.

• EVERYONE KNOWS THAT THIS IS HARDLY EVER THE CASE.

Animation In Movement(LAUFFREUDIGKEIT)

• We have to be very careful when analyzing Lauffreudigkeit as it is often misunderstood.

• Since this is a very desirable trait for a stud dog especially if he is prepotent to pass this on we need to distinguish between real “Lauffreudigkeit” and one that borders on the hectic. The easiest way to assess this is by watching the dog changing pace from walking to gaiting. A “lauffreudiger Hund” gradually increases his speed until he has reached an extended trot. The hectic dog will go straight into an extended trot and will have the tendency to fall slightly onto the forehand.

• We have often been told by the overseas judges that lazy stud dogs are normally the better producer. I think this belief still goes back to the times of Zamb von der Wienerau who was a lazy mover but top producer.

• I do not share this view at all.

SCHUTZDIENST

• The importance of the Schutzdienst is self-explanatory.

• We have been advised by our overseas judges that they do grade the Schutzdienst at the national breed show. However, it is not made public only when it is exceptional as we heard in the case of Fero vom Messebau.

• We as responsible breeders should be careful in writing the dog off too quickly when something has gone wrong in the Schutzdienst. (It could be environmental)

• So many factors come into play and it can happen to anyone. So, please be very objective.

• However, the quality of the Schutzdienst is a very important indicator and forms part of the overall assessment of the stud dog’s value.

Presence

• This is a trait we cannot train, the dog either exudes presence or not

• You either see it or you don’t• It is immediately noticeable – you will be

automatically drawn to it• The dog with presence displays an aura around him

which demands your attention• Presence can also be describes as showmanship• It is an invaluable asset which helps immensely on

the road to success

Clever Marketing• Marketing of a dog is very, very important from an

early age but it does not mean that it carries any depth of value.

• Yes, it gives you a quick return on your money (number of studs) and if the stud dog owner is lucky he might even get the top bitches in the beginning.

• The damage to the breed when people use a stud dog only because of clever marketing is enormous and will throw us years back.

• The owner might have a return on his investment but the breed will suffer.

• Is a shallow way of measuring the value of a stud dog.

Acceptance by Breeders (Zuchteinsatz)

• If a stud dog is not used by recognized breeders his value, no matter how well qualified, is negated.

• In Germany top breeders look beyond issues of ownership and focus more on value to the breed.

• South African breeders have to research more in order to select the right stud dog for their bitches. That might mean moving outside of the normal circles.

• Remember each unsuccessful litter will throw you back 3 ½ years which is the time span for one generation.

Lets SUMMARISE The Order Of Importance

• Being typical of his sire• Coming from a strong dam line• Bloodlines• Progeny• Show placings• Schutzdienst• Presence• Animation in Movement• Acceptance by Breeders (Zuchteinsatz)• Clever Marketing

THEN WE HAVE EXCELLENT STUD DOGS WHO HAVE PRODUCED

AND ARE PRODUCING HIGHLY PLACED INDIVIDUAL ANIMALS

AND WHICH DO NOT ALWAYS GAIN

SUFFICENT ACCEPTANCE BY THE BREEDERS

W H Y ?

Is It Because Of

• Being local and not imported

• Not being properly marketed

• Not knowing the local dogs’ bloodlines

• Being political

Should South Africa Ever Want To Produce Their Own

Bloodlines They Will Have To Look At Using Locally Produced

Dogs