Page 153 - Aussie Magazine no1, 2023

TIPS FOR CURING KENNEL BLINDNESS

“As difficult as If caught in time, kennel blindness can be cured before it has a

it is to admit lasting, detrimental effect on your breeding program. Following

failure, the are some tips:
realization that 1. 2.

our dogs do not

possess certain Avoid over-emphasizing a To assess your kennel blind-

virtues can be certain feature in your breed- ness level, ask someone whose
ing program to the detriment opinion you respect to objec-
the first step in of overall correctness. tively evaluate your dogs.

devising a plan Although most breeders try to Some of the best people to ask

to obtain what emphasize the excellence of the are knowledgeable breeders who
whole dog, it is human nature are not kennel blind themselves.
we really want.” to over-emphasize certain fea- Be sure the person really under-
tures. In fact, the importance stands the standard and request
we give to a particular trait in that they honestly critique the vir-
our dogs is how we express our tues and faults in your dogs. Ask
CHARACTERISTICS "breeding personality" and cre- more than one qualified person
OF PEOPLE WHO ate what we feel comes close and compare their evaluations
to our ideal. One breeder may with your won.If you are falling
ARE NOR KENNEL be a stickler for fronts and an- short of your objectives, it is most
BLIND other for toplines. The danger important to admit it to yourself.
here is that, by focusing on just As difficult as it is to admit fail-

They are truly objective and rare- one feature we can become ure, the realization that our dogs
ly satisfied with their own dogs, "blind" to other faults that may do not possess certain virtues can
criticizing them more harshly than be creeping into the breeding be the first step in devising a plan
others would. program. to obtain what we really want.

Regardless of time and effort al-
ready spent, they are ready to re- References:
move from their program dogs • Byrne, G. 1989. Der Deutsch-Kurzhaar: The German Shorthaired Pointer:
that do not pan out, even to the Western Australia, Austed Publishing
point of starting over with new • Harris, B.J.F. 1993. Breeding A Litter. New York, Howell.
foundation stock. • Onstott, K. 1980. The New Art of Breeding Better Dogs. New York, Howell.
• Seranne, A. 1980. The Joy of Breeding Your Own Show Dog. New York,
They have an 'eye' for a dog and Howell.
can appreciate a beautiful one, re- • www.topsfieldbassets.com
gardless of who bred or owns it. • www.albertakennelclub.org

153
A Worldwide Magazine for the Aussie • Issue 1/2023