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Trait Capture

Why do so many CMDs not look like CMDs? When a breed is developing, you can't go find CMDs to expand the genetics because they don't exist.

In breed development, trait capture is what you have in mind when you make pairings. Temperament is the first consideration. In a litter of pups, some are bold, affectionate, peaceful. I go forward with those.

If I have an adult female who is very close to standard but has double dews, I will pair her with a single or clean, and go forward with a pup who has a great temperament and single dewclaws or no dew claws. That trait may be carried (recently I bred two clean legged dogs and got half single dews and half clean). But eventually dews would stop appearing. Dews are a much lower priority than temperament, etc.

If I have a male dog who matches the standard closely but has jowls that are too floppy or eyes that are too droopy, I will choose a female for him with a refined muzzle, and retain a pup that is like his dad, but with a refined muzzle.

There are some traits you’d like to avoid working with at all, like aggression to people or dogs, or a health problem. Traits that would cause owners to have issues should be avoided.

I am also always mindful of unwanted animals, and I keep my program minimal, so that I know every pup born will come as close as possible to representing the CMD standard, first in temperament and guarding aptitude, and then in type.