Virtual Breeding 2

To: Gretel Cosby From: Sue Samuels Subject: National Date: 8 July	Hi G, Just a reminder that the entries for the National close tomorrow. I've been checking out some of the dogs that I think are coming along. I think you will be excited as I am by some of the dogs there. There will be many that are not that great. However, their owners are not yet ready (will they ever be!) to realise that their dogs just are not good breed representatives. We can learn from them though - and they serve as a good reminder that it costs just as much to have great dogs, as it does to have average ones. And if you count the cost of show entries, it actually works out cheaper to have a better dog! Now our task is to find you the right dog for Cammy. Yes, it is a complex web that we have to navigate through, but I have many contacts. Sue
To: Sue Samuels From: Gretel Cosby Subject: re: National Date: 10 July	thanks for your note Sue. I've just been having a look at the website that features Int Ch. Fabulous Boy Aren't I Great. Wow he is a nice boy. No wonder they call him "Fab" for short. He's been used at stud 38 times in the last year. They say he is the best Rottie around at the moment. I think I really like him. Why don't we use him to Cammy? G.
To: Gretel Cosby From: Sue Samuels Subject: re: "Fab" Date: 12 July	Hi G, I was wondering when you would ask me about this boy. Yes he is nice. Yes he has produced some lovely pups, and yes he has been used at stud many times. However, I want you to think about several things at this stage. Go away and do some research into "Popular Sire Syndrome". I also want you to think about gene diversity in the breed, and line breeding. I know that you have a similar idea in your mind what the perfect Rottie looks like. Is "Fab" your idea of the perfect Rottie? Sue
To: Sue Samuels From: Gretel Cosby Subject: re: "Fab" Date: 19 July	Hi Sue, ok, it's been a week since you sent your last email, and since then, I've been researching the things you suggested I investigate. You are absolutely right. Fab is a nice boy. However, I don't think that by putting him to Cammy, we will produce my idea of the perfect Rottie - and that's the aim of course - perfection! This whole thing about popular sire syndrome is a bit scarey too. I've been having a look at some of the bitches that have been mated to Fab, and some of those breeders must have rocks in their head to be using him. Yes, he has produced some lovely puppies when the bitches have been from his line, but the total outcrosses and different type rotties, have produced some very ordinary puppies. If nothing else, we can see what Fab is capable of producing - and it's very much both ends of the spectrum! Anyway, he's been sponsored by a commerical dog food company. And I want to use a stud dog that's been fed an all natural diet. I can't believe they feed that dog such rubbish! G.
To: Gretel Cosby From: Sue Samuels Subject: update Date: 20 July	Oh Gretel - sometimes you are so niaive! Of course, Fab doesn't actually eat that dog food that he advertises! That's just a way of them getting some more revenue. Of course, the owners will never admit that publicly, but that dog is in such fabulous condition (excuse the pun) because he's fed mostly a raw natural diet. Ok, good news. I've heard about a couple of dogs that are nearly two that haven't been shown yet. Apparently they are making their debut at the National. I heard they are absolutely superb, and have both tested fine for their hips. They have some similar breeding to Camilla. These are what I call "sleepers" - you have to be in the know to know where they are, you have to have the contacts, but once you find them....well at least get in there first before everyone else realises how great they are. Now, time be serious. Let's be frank about the faults that Cammy has. We need to ensure that the boy we use for her does not have these faults, and can make us better quality puppies. Cammy is a bit straight in stifle. Her front pasterns could be straighter, and her head needs a bit more strength. So, we need to make sure that the dog has a magnificent head, and has nice straight front pasterns, and has the sort of stifle we like. Always keep in mind, if a breeder can't outline exactly and in detail the faults in her own dogs, then you should never buy a dog from them, or use their dog at stud. These people also tend to be those that will find fault with everyone else's dogs. There's an old saying that it's easy to find fault with dogs, and much harder to outline what is good about dogs. Like humans, no dog is perfect. You won't hear from me for a few days from Saturday. I'll be off line while I'm travelling around the country on my annual holiday. While I'm away, please continue your networking and keep up the learning. Best, Sue

Decision Point

The complexity continues. As she continues down this so called journey of learning, Gretel finds herself in a situation where the playing field isn't necessarily level, nor are all the rules of the game explained or made clear.

Shall we continue or not?

If you think that you as Gretel will continue click here to proceed.

or,

if you think that this whole breeding thing is just way to complex, click here.

Need we remind you at this point, that no decision is either right or wrong.