[gemy]

Originally Posted by ColesMommy01

Either way, no puppy from a litter will be perfect and fit the standard exactly. Faults will show up with even what some may consider the most genetically/physically sound breeding pair. Choose what you breed carefully, don't just purchase a puppy because it's cute.

Some of the most fun I've had lately is researching pedigrees(I'm a bit of a research buff). You can learn so much by researching lines and finding what's dominant/recessive.

I went to look at a litter a few months ago for a male. All the puppies were cute, but I noticed one of the parents had bigger ears than I liked. The pup I was interested in had small ears(at 16 weeks). His past siblings had big ears as well as 2 of his female siblings.




Also learn from the most experienced breeders what physical traits are hard to breed out. For many breeds bad bites are hard to correct. And other toy breeders can help out as well. There are on line webinars you can take many at low cost. I would think coat quality and correct color are two faults you shouldn't be breeding. Also bad toplines.


But the best thing you can do is develop an Eye for a Dog - in fact there is a self study book entitled just that. Spend hours watching dogs of any breed mixes purebreds etc. Teach yourself how to identify atypical movement. It walks the streets every day. Busy parks are a good place to dog watch. Trust me eventually and maybe sooner you will see good movement. Eye pleasing movement. Start there I already linked for you a very very good video to study dog movement. Every dog club will have some old folks - dog folks - soak up all they can teach you.


When I teach the first thing I try to teach is a *soft eye*. That means looking without fixating or pre judging what you see.
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Bigger ears seemed to be dominant in that particular line and although my potential pup didn't have them any offspring of his had a good chance of having them as well. It wasn't something I'd be okay with breeding.

Research lines you're interested in, study how genetics work if you don't already know, then contact breeders who have access to the particular lines you'd like.

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Choppy gaits or excessive rolling across the rear end. Poor reach and drive.