I agree that starting off with the best stock you can acquire is the route to go. However, 'the best you can acquire' will vary widely from person to person.
If you take 2 open-pedigreed Yorkies (even nice ones) and put them together, you may get a nice pup or two, maybe not. You will not have anything to build on, though, no matter any one pup's qualities. There is no substitute for having a dog that is the result of well thought line breeding. With anything else, there are too many wild cards that will be expressed. I've seen it said that you likely won't live long enough to go any other route other than starting with quality line bred dogs and I do think it's true.
I didn't go the prescribed route but have been fortunate enough to acquire what I consider a quality breeding pair. My challenge now is to not squander what I've got and build something for the future.
I'm like a lot of you in that there isn't a lot of opportunity for getting started showing in my area. I'm mentor-less as far as show preparation goes, there's no breed club nearby to gain handling experience and I've had cold feet about getting into the ring unprepared.
With the litter I have now, I'm keeping a girl back as a prospect. I wish I was better prepared as I feel she has a chance, but she's the one I'm getting my feet wet with. I have been fortunate in recently meeting someone that has years of experience in showing and grooming Poodles and Yorkies, also some puppy match judgung. I took my girl to see him and he went over her point by point in evaluating her. It was good to see her picked apart by someone knowledgeable and get a good evaluation. He actually inquired about any males I might have from the litter for himself so I think he liked what he saw.
My point (if I have one LOL) is that it's extremely important to start with the best dogs you can. After that, you may have to tailor a path best suited for yourself, but you really have to get out there with your dogs to know if your breedings measure up. |