Challenges facing Parent Club Breeders in breeding to the Standard

Frances O. Smith DVM, PhD Diplomate American College of Theriogenology

Who Am I? Veterinary specialist in small animal practice Breeder, owner, trainer, handler, and judge of retriever breeds Director of the Labrador Club, Inc. Health chairperson for the Labrador Retriever Club, Inc. President of the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals

The first dog-like mammals were during Pliocene, 5 million years ago.

The primitive wolf evolved 2 million years ago.

Selection was based on purpose with structure associated as needed. Man selected dogs for such traits as guarding, hunting and war or fighting dogs

Man has tended to shape dogs to size, shape, behaviors, and temperament as they desire. Heritability of these traits is linked to the selection pressure applied to the population Mendelian traits such as coat color and body length have moderate heritability

All of the initial selection parameters are associated with gene mutation. Behavior traits such as fear tend to have higher heritability than traits such as retrieving desire

The breed standard does not select for health problems. The standard describes a dog that has specific physical attributes that enable it to perform a purpose.

Illustrated standards help breeders and dog show judges visualize desirable physical traits. The Labrador Retriever should have a head with a kind expression, a coat that protects the body, and effortless movement.

Proportions – Short Coupled

Incorrect proportion creates stresses in backs, necks, shoulders, elbows, hips, and stifles.

Excessive length of body impacts strength of back and influences the function of both the fore and rear leg assembly. Excessive depth of body creates wear and tear on the limbs as they adapt to increased body mass.

Facial conformation selected for prominent eyes or recessed eyes predisposes the dog to eyelid abnormalities. Judge’s study groups should stress the impact of eye shape and lid structure on the dog’s health and comfort.

Buzz Words Descriptions in standards should be carefully worded so that extremes are not encouraged. Words such as weedy, blocky, throaty, fleshy, spring of ribs, short in loin are subject to multiple interpretations.

Parent Clubs must instruct both breeders and judges on the intent of descriptions in the standard. Without strong guidelines the breeder will tend to select for characteristics that depart from the breed standard.