Breeding Beyond the Paperwork

A safe brain and a stable temperament matter more for a family than a piece of paper. A perfect hip score cannot prevent a bite or ensure a dog is fit for service work, and a champion title means nothing if the dog is a liability in a home. In fact, a dog cannot even become a champion if it has a bad temperament or bites in the ring. Look at how many dogs fail out of service work because they don’t have the right head for it; that proves temperament is everything.

Every breeder has a different purpose and set of circumstances. You cannot judge or bash another breeder until you actually talk to them and understand their specific mission. Whether they are breeding for service work, the show ring, or sports, every program has different goals and financial realities. Sometimes breeders forget the reason why they breed in the first place. It should be about a love for the breed and helping those who need a better quality of life.

I am not against testing like OFA hips, but it should not be the main priority. These are all just tools, and they can change. People often ignore genetic health testing and go straight to hip scores, even though physical scores are subject to change. For me, knowing my dog is genetically sound is vital. While some breeders choose to breed carriers, I personally choose not to because I don’t want those genetic issues in my lines. That is my choice for my program, and I don’t judge others for doing things differently. Choosing not to have every single health score or title does not make someone a bad breeder. If a breeder is doing the work and knows their animal is structurally sound, they shouldn’t feel pressured to have every test shoved in their face.

There are plenty of bad breeders out there who just throw dogs together without a care, but there are also many hobby breeders who might not do every single test but produce sound, well-rounded puppies and adults. As long as the dogs are coming out good and healthy, that breeder is doing their job.

Being a breeder with a purpose means using your eyes and experience to select for structural soundness and personality rather than just chasing certificates that do not offer a 100 percent guarantee. I do the best I possibly can for my puppies, but there are times when you might overlook perfect conformation because the dog’s brain and heart outweigh its beauty.

Truth, honesty, and transparency are huge factors. You can have a dog with perfect scores, but if the breeder isn’t honest or doesn’t put in the work to place that puppy in the right home, the paperwork doesn’t matter. A breeder with a purpose ensures their puppies never see a shelter by taking them back for any reason, for the life of the dog. We try our best with health guarantees, but the real proof is in the pudding—it is in the way we stand by our dogs and our families. If you are putting out crap dogs, it is going to show in the minds and bodies of those animals, no matter what a paper says.

High stud fees and titles do not automatically mean the puppies will be superior. A title only proves a dog was fit for that specific purpose at that time, like the show ring or a sporting event. Once they are done, they are done. You do not have to have a champion title just to have a good dog. I have seen retired champions that do not even know how to play; they only know how to look pretty. A dog is a dog, and if you are looking for a quality animal, you have to look at the whole picture.

Part of being a knowledgeable breeder is being a student of the craft. You can learn a lot by listening to veteran breeders from other breeds, whether it is a Great Dane, Bully, or Doberman breeder. Real success is measured by the lives these dogs change and the joy they bring to their families.

 At the end of the day, if you have a puppy that hasn’t had every single one of those tests, but a vet does a physical exam and says they are good and sound, that carries weight. It is about the total reality of the dog, not just a list of paperwork.