The process of creating an effective dog breeding program begins with the careful selection and purchase of a brood bitch. This is a critical step, as a quality brood bitch is the cornerstone of any successful kennel.
Purchasing the Brood Bitch: Factors to Consider
Given the importance of the brood bitch in establishing the foundations of a kennel, several factors should be carefully evaluated when purchasing one. These factors contribute to the dog’s potential for breeding as well as its overall quality and value. It’s important to remember that breeding should ideally not be embarked on without some capital, and it is advisable to invest a significant portion of available funds in the acquisition of one or two brood bitches of exceptional pedigree.
Budget: Whilst the cost should never be the only consideration, it plays an important part in the purchasing decision. A cheap price rarely indicates value in the long-term, and it is often better to prioritize quality and pedigree over initial cost. However, there have been exceptions, such as the case of Mr. Cronopolos, who bought the bitch Constellation for only five guineas at a London auction, only to have her give birth to his Waterloo Cup-winning dog, Countryman.
Pedigree: The pedigree of a brood bitch is of the utmost importance. A bitch from champion lines or with superior genetic lineage is highly desirable.
Selection of the Brood Bitch: Key Considerations
The selection of the brood bitch involves the scrutiny of her lineage, phenotype, and overall health to understand her potential for producing high-quality offspring.
Lineage: An outstanding pedigree is always a good indicator of a brood bitch’s potential. A female dog from champion lines or one whose lineage includes champions is often the preferred choice. This increases the chances of producing puppies with high-quality traits and characteristics.
Breeding with a Suitable Stud Dog: When a bitch has previously produced an outstanding dog with a particular stud dog, it may be wise to continue breeding along the same lines, even if the same stud dog may not be available. For instance, both Printer and Manhattan Midnight, sire of her offspring, are of similar breeding, offering indication to continue these lines.
The table below breaks down the various factors to consider while purchasing and selecting a brood bitch:
| Factors to Consider | Importance |
|---|---|
| Budget | Allocate a significant portion of available funds to the acquisition |
| Pedigree | Prioritize brood bitches from champion lines or with superior genetic lineage |
| Lineage | The lineage should include champions or dogs with high-quality traits |
| Breeding with a Suitable Stud Dog | If successful offspring have resulted from a particular pairing, aim to continue those lines |
Understanding the Pedigree of a Brood Bitch
Beyond selecting a brood bitch, an integral part of breeding involves an in-depth grasp of canine pedigrees and familial lines exhibiting superior results. Mastery of pedigree knowledge is especially crucial in the competitive world of greyhound breeding.
Importance of Pedigree: Insights
Performance in competitions: Monitor the performance of greyhounds in races and coursing fields to confirm the practical strength of various pedigrees.
Study of stud books and periodicals: Conduct a thorough review of greyhound-focused stud books and periodicals. This will aid in identifying the top-performing pedigrees.
Interaction with experienced breeders: Network with experienced breeders and greyhound owners. Their practical experiences can provide richer insights into the value of individual dogs within a pedigree.
Remember, breeding profitable puppies revolves around selecting from winning strains. Settling for second-best can hinder success.
| Aspects | Description |
|---|---|
| Competitions | Provides firsthand performance information |
| Stud books & Periodicals | Yields data on successful pedigrees |
| Discussions with Breeders | Generates experienced-based insight |
Influential Brood Bitches in Greyhound Breeding History
A thorough examination of greyhound breeding history reveals several outstanding brood bitches that have significantly influenced both track and coursing field in the past two decades. These elite females, when strategically mated with specific sires, have produced notable progeny, thus leaving an indelible impact on the breed.
Noteworthy Brood Bitches and Their Progeny
Consider the English Greyhound Stud Book, which details the lineage of numerous Waterloo Cup winners tracing back to Dee Rock as a sire or grandsire. However, our focus here is on the brood bitches.
Inler May: This brood bitch, when paired with Border Cutlet, produced the Irish Coursing Oaks winner, Sneem; the Irish Cup winner, Shule Aroon; and the Connaught Cup winner, Sprig of Shillelagh, among others. When mated to Song of the Night Wind, she bore Kilrea Lad and her last mating with Orluck brought forth a champion, Edna’s Hope, the winner of the Irish Oaks.
Rebel Music Mad: When mated with Mr. Moon, she produced Rebel Light, a famous coursing dog and sire to the 1945 Irish Cup winner, Lost Light, who later became a leading sire. Carnagh Moon, the McAlevy Gold Cup winner, was another offspring.
Dancing Comet: This bitch produced exceptional progeny with each mating. With Dasher Lad, she had Another Dancing Willie, and Ballydancer, father to the renowned Quare Times, was born from her pairing with Will Somers. Dancing Comet was also the dam of Dashing Comet who later gave birth to Model Dasher, a great stayer.
Mad Darkie: Mated with Printer (Inler blood), she bore the Irish Oaks winner Mad Printer. To Manhattan Midnight, she gave Mad Midnight, once the fastest greyhound over 700 yards. Paired with Tanist (also of Inler breeding), she produced Mad Tanist, known as the fastest sprinter of them all, who later became a well-regarded stud.
Other influential brood bitches include Negro’s Fire, Initiation, Grosvenor Faith, Bean Dubh, Ulster Row, Smartly There, and Shaggy Shore. Many of these bitches, regardless of whether they mated with the same or different sire each time, consistently produced champion offspring.
| Brood Bitch | Notable Progeny | Achievements |
|---|---|---|
| Inler May | Sneem, Shule Aroon, Kilrea Lad, Edna’s Hope | Winners of the Irish Coursing Oaks, Irish Cup, among others |
| Rebel Music Mad | Rebel Light, Lost Light, Carnagh Moon | 1945 Irish Cup winner, McAlevy Gold Cup winner |
| Dancing Comet | Another Dancing Willie, Ballydancer, Model Dasher | Sire of the famous Quare Times, renowned stayer |
| Mad Darkie | Mad Printer, Mad Midnight, Mad Tanist | Irish Oaks winner, fastest sprinter of his time |
Significance of Stud Dogs in Determining Quality of Female Line
Since the establishment of the first Stud Book, it has been observed that certain stud dogs have consistently passed on their exceptional qualities to the female line. Stud dogs such as Brilliant Bob are illustrative examples of such passing of traits, having made notable contributions to the genealogy of greyhounds.
Case Study: Brilliant Bob
Brilliant Bob, an acclaimed performer over different distances, has left an indelible stamp on the breed primarily through his female progeny. His breeding has consistently resulted in high-quality offspring, serving as a guide in the selection of brood bitches.
Miss McCloud: This dam is one of Brilliant Bob’s progeny, known as the dam of Lost Light.
Brilliant Gay: Another noteworthy bitch by Brilliant Bob, she is the dam of Hurry Kitty.
Brilliant Moon: She gave birth to the International Cup winner, Wireless Rally.
Really Brilliant: The dam of the esteemed Rathcloghean Dancer is yet another addition to Brilliant Bob’s high-quality female line.
Given Brilliant Bob’s heritage and the quality of his offspring, one may lean towards opting for a brood bitch tied to his lineage. However, there are other equally influential stud dogs that can trace their line to successful female progeny.
The Importance of “Blood” in Breeding
What breeding history consistently shows is the undeniable importance of lineage or ‘blood.’ Time after time, a greyhound’s success can be tied back to their breeding, with successful dogs often hailing from carefully selected pedigrees. For instance, the dam of the brilliant courser, Rebel Abbey, belongs to the same litter as Mad Darkie, demonstrating that ‘blood’ indeed counts.
| Stud Dog | Female Progeny | Achievements |
|---|---|---|
| Brilliant Bob | Miss McCloud, Brilliant Gay, Brilliant Moon, Really Brilliant | Dams of Lost Light, Hurry Kitty, Wireless Rally, and Rathcloghean Dancer respectively |
Ultimately, a firm understanding of stud dog pedigrees can significantly aid in selecting a brood bitch as it serves as a window into the potential genetic richness a particular female greyhound might bring to a breeding program.
Selection Process of a Brood Bitch
The process of choosing the ideal brood bitch involves the conscientious examination of various pedigrees. This meticulous process is aimed at identifying the correct lines to be obtained in the pedigree, allowing for an informed decision when finally selecting a bitch to purchase.
Considerations in Obtaining a Brood Bitch
The quest to find the perfect brood bitch should never be hurried or taken lightly. It might take considerable time before a bitch with the required pedigree is available on the market. Complicating this further is the fact that other breeders may also be aware of the value of a bitch hailing from the best bloodlines.
First Steps: Never opt to purchase a bitch without first seeing her and having a comprehensive discussion with her current owner. This would involve asking questions about why she is being sold and details about her career up to the point of sale.
Considering an Older Bitch: Bitches who are past middle-age can become excellent foundation dogs. These types of bitch are often sold because their owners have already bred a few litters and are keeping the best bitch puppies to develop their strain. If you are considering such a bitch, it’s important to review the Stud Books to learn about her previous offspring and the results from similar matings. If these outcomes are promising and her owner can offer a guarantee that she is free from diseases and has had regular “seasons,” purchasing her is certainly an option.
Considering a Younger Bitch: A bitch from a recent litter might also be a possibility. If she is at least eighteen months old, she could be ready for breeding within three or four months. However, this decision should only be made if she adheres to the required physical standards. One potential risk to note when deciding to purchase a younger bitch is her ability to be a good mother. Often this can be mitigated by knowing that her dam was a reliable mother.
| Aspects to Consider | Potential Issues |
|---|---|
| Knowledge about the bitch | The reason for sale, her career, health, and season regularity |
| Age of the bitch | Older bitches have a record, younger bitches are potential risks |
| Motherhood | Knowledge about whether the dam was a reliable mother |
Ultimately, the selection of a brood bitch requires a thorough examination of various factors, carefully balancing the known and unknown risks associated with the selection.
Inspection Criteria for Bitch Selection
The process of selecting a bitch parallels the careful consideration required when purchasing a house. An initial impression might suggest a good choice, but a close inspection might reveal numerous faults that could impact the quality of her offspring on the show bench or in the field.
Essential Physical Attributes for a Breeding Bitch
Before settling on a decision, it’s wise to examine certain physical attributes of a potential breeding bitch to ensure she possesses traits that might contribute positively to the quality and health of her progeny.
Body Structure:
Inspect the bitch for a well-developed chest. A deep chest suggests ample heart room which is indicative of good stamina.
Other Physical Features:
Further focus should be directed towards other integral parts of her makeup such as her feet, head, and shoulders.
Motherly Instincts:
Once the physical attributes have been assessed and meet the required standards, try to gauge the bitch’s potential or proven mothering skills. Surprisingly, a more aloof temperament does not necessarily equate to a deficient mother. As a case in point, a greyhound bitch named Midnight Moon, known for her slightly stand-offish temperament with humans and other kennel peers, has been considered to be an outstanding mother. She happily raised six or seven superior litters, mothering them until they were four or five months old.
Size of the Bitch: A Matter of Debate
The size of the bitch is often a contentious point among breeders. While some proponents, like a renowned breeder of greyhounds, prefer large bitches weighing around 58 lbs, practical experience has not always supported the theory that larger bitches are better mothers than smaller ones.
Notably, an early 19th-century breeder referred to as ‘Stonehenge’ claimed that small, compact bitches made the best nursing mothers. Similarly, Mr. A. Croxton-Smith, in his work ‘Greyhound Racing and Breeding,’ mentioned that ‘small bitches have often been most successful in producing winners’.
A Balanced Choice:
Given the conflicting views on the ideal size, a compromising approach could be to choose a bitch of medium size and weight. Anecdotal evidence suggests this to be a favourable choice.
| Considerations For Selection | Specifics |
|---|---|
| Physical Attributes | Body Structure, Feet, Head, Shoulders |
| Temperament | Maternal Instincts |
| Size | Not too big or too small, ideally medium |
Factors to Evaluate When Purchasing a Bitch
When seeking to purchase a bitch for breeding reasons, it’s crucial to approach this with prudence and thoroughness. This includes opting for reputable and honest breeders and being discerning on various aspects of the bitch’s health and previous litter record.
Importance of Choosing an Honest Breeder
Remember that not all breeders operate with the utmost integrity. Reputedly ‘fertile’ bitches have been sold at high prices based on their past production of prize-winning progeny. However, the unsuspecting new owner may find out that the bitch, for some unknown reason, has become barren.
Infertility Reasons and Solutions:
Infertility might be a result of insufficient Vitamin E in the dog’s diet. Alternatively, it could be due to a malfunction of her reproductive organs. Occasionally, a bitch might have bred several large litters and then whelp just a single pup in what could be her final viable reproductive period. If bred again, she might produce no offspring, thereby ending her breeding career.
Avoid Over-raced Bitches:
It’s advisable not to purchase a bitch that has been over-raced. Striking a balance is key – racing and breeding aspirations for a bitch can’t always co-exist successfully.
Attention to Details: Indications from Oral Health
When deciding on a bitch, it’s essential not to gloss over minute details that might only be discernible upon close inspection.
Oral Examination:
A bitch’s oral health can provide critical insight into her overall well-being. Brown teeth, for instance, could indicate either past distemper or advancing age. It’s worth noting that distemper, while potentially damaging to her health, shouldn’t negatively impact the bitch’s breeding ability unless she exhibits residual conditions like chorea, a disorder characterized by muscle twitching that could potentially be inherited by her offspring.
| Aspects to Consider | Details |
|---|---|
| Breeder’s reputation | Opt for an honest and reputable breeder |
| Potential infertility | Check litter records, consult on diet and health |
| Over-racing history | A balance between racing and breeding is necessary |
| Oral health | Brown teeth could indicate past illness or old age |
Evaluating Age and Pedigree in a Breeding Bitch
When choosing a bitch for breeding purposes, it is essential to keep in mind that a range of factors, including age and pedigree, can significantly influence breeding success.
Importance of Correct Registration and Pedigree
Before making a final purchase, obtaining and inspecting pedigree forms is critical. The pedigree forms can verify the bitch’s age, among other essential details.
Misregistration Concerns:
A bitch that has not been correctly registered may indicate hidden complications that the owner might not wish to disclose. For instance, she might not be from the litter she is supposed to be, leading to a misleading or incorrect pedigree.
Age Factor: Varied Viewpoints and Historic Cases
The ‘ideal’ age for a breeding bitch varies depending on differing perspectives and tangible examples from history.
Historic Opinions:
The breeder ‘Stonehenge’ opined that a bitch is at her breeding prime between the ages of four and six. However, Markham, an Elizabethan-era scribe, believed that the bitch should be of the same age as the sire. There appears to be no definitive rule on this subject.
Historic Cases:
In the greyhound racing history, a renowned bitch named Drishogue was not even two when mated with the eight-year-old Manhattan Midnight. This mating resulted in the celebrated greyhound Rimmell’s Black. Similarly, the 1932 Waterloo Cup winner was likewise bred from a young dam. On the other end of the age spectrum, another Waterloo Cup winner, Czarina, didn’t have her first litter until she was thirteen years old, proving the variety that can exist in successful breeding ages.
Different Age Sire and Dam:
Then there’s the example of the famous Golden Seal, the 1927 Waterloo Cup winner, bred from a four-year-old dam and a ten-year-old sire, challenging the ‘same-age’ theory.
To summarize, while age is an important consideration, other qualities also play a crucial role in dictating the suitability of a bitch for breeding.
| Factors To Consider | Further Explanation |
|---|---|
| Pedigree Inspection | Authentic pedigree forms can help verify a bitch’s age and lineage |
| Age and Breeding Success | Breeding success can be achieved at different ages |
Thorough Health Check of a Breeding Bitch
When contemplating the purchase of a bitch intended for breeding, it is crucial to perform a comprehensive health check. This evaluation should extend beyond major health problems to include smaller tells and nuances that indicate overall health status.
Checking for Auditory and Visual Health
The health of a bitch’s ears and eyes can reveal essential details about her general wellbeing.
Ears:
The bitch should show no signs of ear canker, a common animal ear disease that can cause discomfort and other complications.
Eyes:
Her eyes should be bright and clear, indicating healthy vision. Any signs of cloudiness or other visual abnormalities could denote potential blindness or other eye issues.
Importance of Coat Health and Appearance
The state of the bitch’s coat can offer valuable clues about her overall health.
Coat Condition:
The ideal coat should be free from skin issues, and it should feel glossy and silky. Beware of a dull, staring coat – it often signifies a serious underlying health issue.
Ensuring Comprehensive Health Certification
Before confirming a purchase, ensure that you obtain a health certificate from a vet, verifying that the bitch is free from any venereal diseases.
Veterinarian Clearance:
A certificate of health and hygiene from a vet serves as an assurance of optimal health, providing peace of mind for the impending owner.
Valuation of a Healthy Breeding Bitch
If a bitch satisfies all health and quality criteria in the buyer’s eyes, she may command a higher price. This investment is often worthwhile, as such a bitch can form the foundation of a successful breeding program and may prove to be worth exponentially more over time.
The Imperative of Breeding for Stamina
One crucial point to remember when breeding is the importance of stamina.
Stamina in Breeding:
It is always advisable to breed from a bitch known for her endurance or one with parents who demonstrated stamina on the track or coursing field. The trend in breeding tends to lean towards faster dogs but often at the expense of stamina. Conserving the stamina quality in the breed ensures the breed’s long-term fitness and longevity.
| Aspects to Consider | Details |
|---|---|
| Auditory and Visual Health | Check for ear cankers and signs of visual impairment |
| Coat Condition | Coat should be glossy, silky and clear of skin issues |
| Vet clearance | Obtain a health and hygiene certificate |
| Valuation | Quality and health often justify a higher price |
| Stamina | Vital factor to maintain in breeding |
