THE MAKING OF A MASTER BREEDER

by Claudia Waller Orlandi, Ph.D.

Master breeders are those unique individuals who make alasting contribution to the improvement of their breed and the sport of dogs.

Whether your goal is to produce one or two champions or youaspire to become a master breeder who can be instrumental in improving yourbreed, worthwhile breeding comes from doing a lot of homework! In addition tohaving a working knowledge of how genes work, successful breeders need to do thefollowing.

Every breed came into existence for a specific purpose.Historically, the basset was followed on foot and used for the slow trailing ofsmall game such as rabbit and hare. The Basset’s long ears were developed tostir up the scent for his keen nose to follow. Short heavily-boned legs providedsound and efficient running gear in dense cover, endowing him with greatendurance, agility and sturdiness. Although the Basset is a long, low, massivedog, his substantial structure is lean enough to provide great stamina in thefield.

Without a knowledge of the Basset’s historical purpose we are not able to truly understand why the form and function of the Basset were developed. Master breeders commit themselves to safeguarding a breed’s original purpose and function because even though a breed may never be called upon to fulfill its primary purpose, breeders and judges must evaluate a breed based on: (1) how correct its structural build is to carry out its original purpose and (2) how effectively it uses that structure. ¹

Breed standards are based on the historical purpose of abreed and describe the physical and mental attributes that made a particularbreed do what it was expected to do. A breed standard is a verbal descriptionwhich guides breeders in their quest to produce the ideal specimen of thatbreed. Each standard represents a concept (rather than an actualdog) against which breeders measure the dogs they produce and judges measureeach competitor of that breed.

The Basset Hound Illustrated Standard,²expands the understanding of our official standard and is invaluable to gaininga deeper insight into the form and function of the Basset Hound. Breeders shouldknow the breed standard and illustrated standard 'by heart!'

COMMENT:
The Standard does not describe how to achieve theideal of a particular breed, rather it guides breeders who must combine a senseof artistry with basic genetic principles in their quest to produce the classicdog.

Breeders should not be tempted to add window dressing or exaggerate the unique features of their breed in an effort to make a dog look prettier or ‘typier’.²An example would be breeding Bassets with ears so long orlegs so short that they interfere with correct movement.

COMMENT:
To gain more perspective on the Basset Hound, read otherbreed standards. Particularly illuminating for their similarities anddifferences is a comparison of The Basset Hound Illustrated Standard withthe illustrated standard of the Dachshund. (Visualization of the OfficialDachshund Standard,³).

In order to properly select and discard animals from a breeding program, breeders need to fully understand the relative seriousness of faults in their breed.

Skolnick’s analysis of the Basset Hound standard lists some'very serious faults' as steep shoulders with short upper arms, out atelbows, weak pasterns, excessive crook in legs and turn out of feet, flat orsplayed feet, steep or poorly angulated hindquarters, bowed legs, cowhocks andincorrect bite. Izotope t-pain effect torrent. Some 'serious faults' are wide or flat skull, snipeymuzzle, pancake ear, roach or sway back, barrel or short chest, incorrecttemperament and absence of loose skin. Several 'minor faults' includelight, round or protruding eyes, absence of haw, harsh expression, absence ofparallel planes and incorrect stop.⁴

COMMENTS:
A review of Skolnick’s partial list shows that many'very serious faults' refer to incorrect running gear and movementwhich hinder performance and endurance. 'Serious faults' are generallythose relating to body and proportion, including the head, which is an importantelement of type. 'Minor faults' are generally cosmetic and smaller indetail.

The official standard for any breed cannot be fullyunderstood without a knowledge of the dog’s anatomy.⁵ As a startingpoint to understanding the standard and the correct structure for the BassetHound, every breeder needs to know terms like 'sternum,'scapula,' 'pastern,' etc. and where they are located on thedog.

Knowledge of the individual parts of a dog is an importantmeans to an end, since ultimately we must view each dog as the sum total of itsparts.

It is imperative that breeders have a mental picture of the ideal specimen they are attempting to breed.

Mary and Wilton Meyer (Oranpark, Reg.), well-known BassetHound breeders of the 1960’s, have perhaps said it best: 'Allowing for achange in style, we think that the most important thing a breeder must keep inmind is an absolutely steadfast adherence to his own ideal mental picture of thetype of animal he is trying to produce: (Frederiksen 1998). Without such a'goal,' breeders cannot decide what to keep and what to discard fromtheir breeding programs.⁶

COMMENT:
In many instances your ideal Basset Hound may not be anactual dog but rather a combination of outstanding features from several dogs.

References

1. Craige, P.1997. Born to win: breed to succeed. Wilsonville, OR: Doral.


2. The Basset Hound Illustrated Standard. 1996. The Basset Hound Club of America.


3. Visualization of the official Dachshund Standard. 1997. Dachshund Club of America.


4. Skolnick, L. 1997. A look at the Basset. Tally Ho (March-April), 10-12.


5. Grossman, A. 1983. The standard book of dog breeding. Fairfax, VA: Denlinger.


6. Frederiksen, R. 1998. Out of the past: Oranpark, Reg. Mary and Wilton Meyer. Tally Ho (Jan-Feb), 22.