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Originally Posted by LittlePaws  Your welcome. I am very proud of my dogs and my babies. We may not agree but I always value the opinions of others.
#1. No. It is not all that matters but health is the most important for ANY breeder I would hope.
#2 I do not foot the bill of just using the "pair" I have. I only have females.
I paid a very nice sum for the stud fee. He was carefully selected.
As for what people want... All puppies need a forever home.
next, "Best Parents" in what aspect? See next questions. Best in health? YES. Temperament? YES. Standard? By selecting for health and temperament first size and color would be next. Avoiding poor quality dogs on EITHER side.
Which ones would truly matter? Which ones would be lost and insignificant if the goal is not to produce the same breed? How do you determine what the "right" pair and "right" match for breeding is?
I would not cross breed two dogs that were say, one very timid and one very bold.
The maltese and shih-tzu share a good many things. They are bold, loyal, known for being smart and very sweet. Both have beautiful floor length coats and both breeds have undercoats.
These are a few reasons I made the choice I did. |
By selecting color, is there a certain color combo you are trying to achieve? Is there a certain "look" you are trying to achieve and how to you determine it? It seems as if it would be impossible to predict.
How will your efforts exceed only this particular generation? What is the long term or does it start and stop with this generation?
How do you ensure that the breed specific issue of one breed will not be carried over to the next? Or that an undesired trait will not 'double up' in the offspring.
I.e, I *think* that Maltese are prone to eye infections and specific disorders. Would crossing one with a breed with a more protruding eye not increase this risk? Also, both breeds are prone to age progressive disorders...would combining the two create more or less risk of that?
Also, as Shih-Tzus are a brachiocephalic breed, their respiratory systems work on a slower pace. How can you ensure that you do not end up with offspring that aquire the brachio traits, but without the compromised respiratory system?