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How Do We Measure A Stud Dog’s
Value To The Breed?
National Breed Supervisor
November 2012
By His
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Show placings
Bloodlines
Progeny
Being typical of his
sire
• Dam
• Animation in
Movement
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•
Schutzdienst
Presence
Clever marketing
Acceptance by
Breeders
(Zuchteinsatz)
And Do You Consider These
Points When You Assess A Stud
Dog?
• Age of stud dog
• How often used (depends inter-alia on quality and
show placings)
• Anatomy and TSB ( also of the parents)
• Number of litters and puppies
• Depends on how many puppies and young dogs
remain active in dog sport
Show PLACINGS
• It is an ideal marketing tool I F the dog is
doing well on the first time out, however it can
have disastrous future effects on the dog if he
does not perform.
• Breeders and public are very unforgiving.
• It takes an unbelievable amount of time, effort
and perseverance on behalf of the owner of the
stud dog to rebuild his reputation.
• The damage has been done .
• Therefore, show placings are only valuable if top
positions are achieved.
• They should definitely not be the deciding factor
to use or not to use the dog and most certainly do
not determine the value of the dog as a producer.
Bloodlines
• Without bloodlines you would not have a breed,
therefore bloodlines are extremely important
but require an enormous amount of knowledge
and breeders having that knowledge are not
always prepared to pass it on.
• It is of utmost importance that Breed Supervisors
hold educational bloodline seminars.
• Bloodlines, however, can also be fashionable and
for the new breeder this can have devastating
effects on his breeding program.
• Bloodlines will make or break a kennel, but since
it takes a long time before the effect is seen, the
breed supervisors should be consulted before
matings take place especially for the
inexperienced breeder.
Progeny
• This is the most important visual tool with which to judge the
value of a stud dog !!!
• A progeny group will portrait the sire’s attributes – both positive
and negative.
• All the brain washing and preconceived ideas will fall away when a
progeny group is presented. Only the naked truth will be seen.
• It also is a very influential marketing tool and many stud dogs
worldwide receive their recognition after they present progeny
groups.
• ALWAYS REMEMBER
• A STUD DOGS’ VALUE LIES IN PRODUCING NOT IN
SHOWING
• The prepotency of a stud dog will really only be seen in the future
generations;
• His first generation will put him on the map but his real
producing value will follow in the second and third generation.
THIS IS VERY OFTEN FORGOTTEN.
• WE ALL SEEM TO BE IN A HURRY AND DEMAND
IMMEDIATE RESULTS!!!
Being Typical Of His Sire
• One of the most important points which is often
overlooked
• More often you hear: “ he is the son of the Sieger
“ or “ he is a son of the VA 2”
• Seldom you hear: “He resembles his sire” or “he is
typical of his sire”
• When you select a stud dog ask yourself first – “is
he typical of his sire”
• This is t h e most important question to be asked
in the selection process
Dam Line
• This point forms an integral part of the value of the stud dog and is
very often ignored.
• Dam lines are of paramount importance but only if their
background is solid, e.g. siblings and their achievements, fertility
(number of puppies in a litter), track record of quality of litters to a
variety of stud dogs.
• But even when taking dam lines into consideration the newcomer
is impressed if the dam was a VA or even the Siegerin and thinks
or hopes the offspring will follow suit.
• EVERYONE KNOWS THAT THIS IS HARDLY EVER THE
CASE.
Animation In Movement
(LAUFFREUDIGKEIT)
• We have to be very careful when analyzing Lauffreudigkeit
as it is often misunderstood.
• Since this is a very desirable trait for a stud dog especially if
he is prepotent to pass this on we need to distinguish
between real “Lauffreudigkeit” and one that borders on the
hectic. The easiest way to assess this is by watching the dog
changing pace from walking to gaiting. A “lauffreudiger
Hund” gradually increases his speed until he has reached an
extended trot. The hectic dog will go straight into an
extended trot and will have the tendency to fall slightly onto
the forehand.
• We have often been told by the overseas judges that lazy
stud dogs are normally the better producer. I think this belief
still goes back to the times of Zamb von der Wienerau who
was a lazy mover but top producer.
• I do not share this view at all.
SCHUTZDIENST
• The importance of the Schutzdienst is self-explanatory.
• We have been advised by our overseas judges that they do
grade the Schutzdienst at the national breed show. However,
it is not made public only when it is exceptional as we heard
in the case of Fero vom Messebau.
• We as responsible breeders should be careful in writing the
dog off too quickly when something has gone wrong in the
Schutzdienst. (It could be environmental)
• So many factors come into play and it can happen to anyone.
So, please be very objective.
• However, the quality of the Schutzdienst is a very important
indicator and forms part of the overall assessment of the stud
dog’s value.
Presence
• This is a trait we cannot train, the dog either
exudes presence or not
• You either see it or you don’t
• It is immediately noticeable – you will be
automatically drawn to it
• The dog with presence displays an aura around
him which demands your attention
• Presence can also be describes as showmanship
• It is an invaluable asset which helps immensely on
the road to success
Clever Marketing
• Marketing of a dog is very, very important from an
early age but it does not mean that it carries any
depth of value.
• Yes, it gives you a quick return on your money
(number of studs) and if the stud dog owner is
lucky he might even get the top bitches in the
beginning.
• The damage to the breed when people use a stud
dog only because of clever marketing is enormous
and will throw us years back.
• The owner might have a return on his investment
but the breed will suffer.
• Is a shallow way of measuring the value of a stud
dog.
Acceptance by Breeders
(Zuchteinsatz)
• If a stud dog is not used by recognized breeders his
value, no matter how well qualified, is negated.
• In Germany top breeders look beyond issues of
ownership and focus more on value to the breed.
• South African breeders have to research more in order
to select the right stud dog for their bitches. That might
mean moving outside of the normal circles.
• Remember each unsuccessful litter will throw you
back 3 ½ years which is the time span for one
generation.
Lets SUMMARISE The Order
Of Importance
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Being typical of his sire
Coming from a strong dam line
Bloodlines
Progeny
Show placings
Schutzdienst
Presence
Animation in Movement
Acceptance by Breeders (Zuchteinsatz)
Clever Marketing
THEN WE HAVE EXCELLENT
STUD DOGS WHO HAVE PRODUCED
AND ARE PRODUCING HIGHLY
PLACED INDIVIDUAL ANIMALS
AND
WHICH DO NOT ALWAYS GAIN
SUFFICENT ACCEPTANCE BY THE
BREEDERS
WHY ?
Is It Because Of
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Being local and not imported
Not being properly marketed
Not knowing the local dogs’ bloodlines
Being political
Should South Africa Ever Want
To Produce Their Own
Bloodlines They Will Have To
Look At Using Locally Produced
Dogs