Breeders assess their puppies every day – watching, measuring, judging and hoping. We all want a crystal ball that will tell us exactly how each puppy will turn out when full grown.

All breeders have one fear at whelping time – dystocia. Although you can’t prevent all causes of puppies having difficulty passing through the pelvic canal, you can render some assistance.

You’ve seen the gorgeous glossy puppy photos in magazines, the picture-perfect whelping boxes and X-pens, a proud mom dog in perfectly groomed condition gazing into the camera as her litter of nine nurses contentedly.
Yeah right! It’s time for a reality check!

Defective genes are present in every population. For the most part, they remain hidden, waiting to surface when the right mating (combination of genes) allows their expression. It’s not easy to determine if a dog carries an undesirable gene. Genetic testing, when available, is extremely useful, and it’s also helpful to examine the dog’s family [...]

Susan Buttivant is a breeder in the picturesque town of Dundas, Ont. Chapparal Kennels raises Bergers des Pyrenees and Petits Basset Griffons Vendeen. The former are sheep-herding dogs, the latter rabbit hounds. When it comes to placing her pups with prospective owners, one criterion trumps the rest: Work.

A few years ago I had the opportunity to tour a guide dog facility and chat with their behaviour staff. The organization employs dogs primarily from their own breeding program, with unflappable, friendly dispositions high on the breeding-criteria list, along with good health and aptitude for work.