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Originally Posted by wildcard  Size is something that is very complicated genetics-wise. The size of sire and dam are not the only factors, you have to look further back in the pedigrees of the dogs and then even sometimes nature throws you for a loop. Generally the tighter the breeding (meaning the more closely related the parents are) the more predicable size will be. That said, on my first litter of papillons (where there is a height standard not a weight standard) I bred a 9.5 inch male and an 10.75 inch bitch (both within the standard), where the sire's sire and the dam's grandsire were the same dog (he was a 9.5 inch dog) and full grown the three bitches from that litter are 8.25 inches, 9.25 inches, and 11.25 inches! So you can see how even in a medium tight line-breeding size can run amok. Now my current litter (they are 4 days old today), sire and dam are almost exactly the same size (a tad over 9 inches) but it is an outcross (between an outcrossed bitch and a tightly linebred sire) so it will be interesting to see what happens with the sizes.
So very much more to getting predictable results than just looking at mom and dad...
For anyone that is interested in a really great guide summarizing the practical application of canine genetics I highly recommend Claudia Orlandi's ABCs of Dog Breeding book. She does a seminar as well that I can't wait to attend someday. |
wow thanks for the info! i am going to send my check to get me a copy of this book...here is the link to the info for anyone that wants...
http://www.abcsofdogbreeding.com/How%20to%20Order%20the%20ABC%27s%20of%20Dog%20Bree ding.htm