I want to address those of you experienced in breeding.
I'm assuming that most of you will immediately say that phenotype is the basis of all your breeding decisions? "Breed to the dogs that do the best at their work."
But I have known dogs with top winning trial dogs solid in their pedigrees, that they themselves had very little interest in stock and were not strong herding dogs.
I have also known herding dogs with totally unknown dog's in their pedigree that are great stock dogs and highly successful trial dogs.
So hypothetically given the choice between a dog who is not the greatest worker but has a pedigree of great workers; and a dog that is a great worker but has "unproven" or unknown dogs in his pedigree, which would you give greater weight when considering a potential mate?
Why?
I'm looking forward to discussion and learning!
Thanks!
Bonnie