C2R strives to improve the Beagle breed as a whole. We have had many litters over the years and we started our breeding programs over several times to get just the right dogs.
Now we are into our 2nd & 3rd generation puppies and are finding that through proper nutrition and training we can create superior champion dogs. The techniques to breed quality dogs are simple, really:
- Start with a quality brood bitch, spend as much money as you can afford on her. Look for body structure and conformation – this bitch will set the “type” (look) in your bloodlines. If you are hunting, make sure she can run a rabbit the way you like as well – big nose, mouth, speed, and super wicked hunt. Have her lab tested for health issues – we like Embarkvet.com. For information on DNA testing, read https://fluentwoof.com/dog-dna-test/
- Studs: Similar to a brood bitch- buy the best you can afford. Look conformation and for desire – the stud must have a wicked desire to hunt, if you aren’t hunting, look for wicked ball drive as this is the basis of good training. Most studs do not pass on “type” – it is a rare find to have a male that passes on type. So look for one or two traits that may improve your bitch. Your stud should be tested for health issues as well through DNA and exrays and bloodwork.
- Of course, both male and female need to be in optimal health, vaccinated, with a negative brucellosis test before breeding. Properly wormed, free of disease, super nutrition – everything that goes into the stud and brood bitch gets passed on to the pups.
- As far as outcrossing/inbreeding: Each parent has two sets of genes for every trait- each passing 1 gene in each pair to its offspring. This is true of good qualities, bad qualities, and health issues. So be careful with inbreeding. It is documented that after a 10% coefficient of inbreeding (10% would be breeding 1st cousins to 1st cousins), hardiness deteriorates, bone gets thinner and weaker, and health issues begin to arise, more birth defects. So you want to save inbreeding for two dogs that you are absolutely sure you want all of their traits passed on. Starting with a good outcross (or adding a good outcross along the way) can increase the vigor and health of your ongoing bloodline and keep it healthy.
- After you get the resulting litter, keep track of what is produced – what traits the pups have and how they perform. These records will help you in the future make better breeding decisions.
- Keep as many of the offspring as you can and keep track of those you can’t. Puppies grow and change dramatically in the first year and their hunting abilities change as they grow. We have seen pups that do great at 4 months, some that don’t start until 1 year, and we have seen those same pups really hone their skills around 3-4 years of age. Same with conformation – they may look perfect at first and then they stretch and grow just like human babies do. Don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater!
- If you are breeding, plan to be a breeder for the long haul – it takes 20 generations to create type, hunt, health and ability. Basically, it takes your lifetime! Good luck!