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Understanding
Line Breeding
There seems to be a vast misunderstanding about line
breeding, what it is, why it is done and how it is done. Often one hears laymen
and even some who should know better referring to it in derogatory terms and
making the assumption that linebreeding is responsible for canine health and
temperament problems. So in this article I hope to try to explain a little what
responsible and knowledgeable breeders try to do in their breeding programs.
First let me be clear anything said in this article refers to reputable
breeders who breed to develop dogs who are the best examples of breed type
(what a certain breed should look like according to the breed's standard or
blueprint) and are of sound mind and body. It does not refer to puppy mill or
back yard breeders as the sole purpose of those sorts of breeders are to supply
the most puppies as cheaply as possible for the most profit. Considerations
such as breed type, health and temperament are of no interest to these people
and any linebreeding or inbreeding done by them is merely happenstance and
economically advantageous.
In the simplest terms there are three
methods used when breeding purebred dogs: outcrossing, inbreeding and
linebreeding.
Outcrossing is the breeding of dogs with no common
ancestors, usually within a five generation pedigree. Continual outcrossing is
a method that is commonly used by breeders who have no real purpose in breeding
dogs or by novice breeders. Occasionally it is employed by experienced breeders
to bring in some needed attribute to their line. Though one hears about such
things as hybrid vigour when outcrossing, the continual use of this method can
be as dangerous as continual inbreeding as you are always bringing new genetic
equations to the mix.
Inbreeding is the breeding of close relatives not
separated by more than one generation, i.e, brother to sister, father to
daughter. This method is used to concentrate good qualities in the line but may
also concentrate bad qualities. Only the most experienced breeders should be
willing to attempt this method and be willing to make possible hard decisions
with respect to the resulting puppies. Continual inbreeding should not be done.
Linebreeding is a method that breeders will use to improve upon and try
to eliminate structural and health problems from their dogs. It is the breeding
together of dogs that have a well bred superior common ancestor who has
attributes that the breeder is attempting to reproduce and improve upon in
their own dogs. Things such as health, longevity of life, structure, movement
and temperament of a dog that one is planning to linebreed on must be taken
into account. Linebreeding is an attempt to concentrate the genetic
contribution of an outstanding ancestor in the resulting offspring. As well
once started one must continue the linebreeding process or all will be for
naught.
For a breeder who is contemplating linebreeding they must first
study some basic genetics and learn how dominant and recessive genes affect the
outcome of any breeding attempted. They must learn which attributes are
dominant and which are recessive. They must also be aware of the genetic health
issues for their breed and the mode of inheritance of those diseases. One must
then study the dog that one hopes to linebreed on. Unfortunately in dogs it is
not possible to know everything genetic about a certain dog as sometimes
recessive genes may lie in wait but one can usually have a reasonable
understanding of a dog's makeup through the study of pedigrees, both of the
ancestors of that dog and his or her's offspring.
For an example of a
very successfully linebred dog I have used Eng. Ch. Craigowl Silkience, a
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.
(Click here for pedigree, picture and
history) She has been linebred
on the very well known Eng. Ch. Homaranne Caption, a dog who is generally
considered to exemplify the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. He exuded breed type
and lived a long and healthy life. When contemplating linebreeding this is
exactly the dog one should consider. Eng. Ch. Craigowl Silkience has proven
herself a very worthy descendant, having achieved an English Championship with
a CC at the very famous and competitive Crufts dog show and at the age of 11 is
still winning at dog shows.
While nothing in dog breeding is clear cut
linebreeding is the method which is employed as the most reasonable way to both
maintain breed type and to possibly eliminate genetic health defects from a
breed.
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