Breed Specialization

Para Darkwater · March 2014

Wanted to get some opinions on something I've been mulling over lately. For those of you who specialize in a certain breed(s) do you event them in multiple events or pick only a few or maybe just one? As of recently I began focusing on Boston terriers. I plan to breed, train and event top quality ones. My original plan was to breed some for most events other than the ones that are impractical such as weight pull, racing and the like. Almost my entire event line up would be Bostons. However, I've also been mulling over the idea of just picking one event, or maybe a few related events to focus on with the Bostons and then go about eventing with other breeds for other event types. So thoughts, opinions, what do you do?

MrClean · March 2014

Maybe you can have a couple of lines...like one you can focus on breeding for sporting events and the other for working events?

Para Darkwater · March 2014

That's kinda what I've been working on. Right now I'm working on a branch of Bostons for agility and then will don another branch for canine disc and so on. I'm so indecisive at times its not even funny lol. If I do a branch per each event I plan to use them for that's a lot of lines. However if I generalize it a bit like you suggested and do a branch of sporting Bostons then a branch for working and show it would be easier and probably go faster. Thanks for the tip, I may just reorganize and go this rout

Frostbight8 · March 2014

I have worked with GSD's ever since I joined in 2009. Although I have tried other events, herding has always been what I breed them for, and what they do their best in! In the past, I've noticed that when people try to breed for two completely different events (like working and sporting), it tends to be a bit of a challenge for them. It requires double the resources, and a lot of times, they end up at a stand still. Though I'm sure that there are ways to breed that would be a little more efficient, if that was what you want to do. I can certainly see why you would want that, because it would give you a very broad bloodline! There was somebody a while back who had a line of Boston Terriers, and they always did great in sporting events. Honestly, a lot of sporting events have similar stat requirements, a more generalized route would work well in that department, I think. I guess, my best advice would be to take it slow at first. Get a feel for it, see if you like working with that breed and only that breed. Some people come out guns a blazing, buy a ton of imports, spend a lot of VPC, and then decide that that just isn't what they want to do.

Para Darkwater · March 2014

Thanks for the input Frost! I'll be eventing in all events, though some will have other breeds as Bostons just cant compete in mushing, weigh pull and others. So far I've enjoyed working with the breed, and in real life its one of my favorite breeds. I've debated back and forth sense becoming a sponsor to specialize and a breed or just go all willy nilly as I have in the past and breed lots of different dogs. I've had a mix of breeds from different line up/eventing generations and in the past I would switch up my breeds every new line up. This go around I'm leaning toward Bostons for most events then picking a few other breeds to casually work with for other events and build up some good lines to continue eventing through the ages. Appreciating the opinions and experiences so far they really help

MrClean · March 2014

I think if you're going to be specific, be really specific. You'd probably be more successful focusing on just one specific event if that's what you want to do. For example, breed solely for high intelligence, rather than sacrificing any one stat for high overall stats. But if you're up to the task of breeding two separate lines, I'd say pick one stat for each line to be the main focus and maybe a secondary stat. Speed is generally the most important stat for sporting events and intelligence is generally most important for working events. Endurance and strength also play into both. I'm doing this with my PB (even though I haven't worked on those lines in a while

). In my speed line, when I breed I keep the pups with the highest speed. If I have to decide between two pups with similar speeds, I pick the pup with the higher endurance.

Frostbight8 · March 2014

Noooooooo! Anything but the intelligence! Nah, go for it if you want. It's a fun stat!

Para Darkwater · March 2014

@Bryson Sounds like your method of breeding is similar to mine. I usually focus on one stat and then have my secondary stat to be the deal breaker between pups that have he same primary stat. I'm not opposed to doing multiple lines of Bostons as no matter which breeds I work with I'll end up doing specific lines for each event. Either way I'm looking at a lot of lines to get my event line up the way I want it. Wouldn't be so bad if I didn't have to rely on slow net for training lol. But gotta work with what I have, guess its just another challenge haha. As of right now I'll probably continue with my original plan of breeding the Boston lines for specific events. It'll be a lot of lines to work with but it'll be worth it in the end. Plus I've got a few ways I tend to do lines and such and a few new things I'm trying with my Boston line so it'll be interesting to see how things play out with them @Frost I'm sure my dedication to intelligence won't be strong enough to take the top spots hehe. As my line up stand there's only 1 working event and one discipline I would be using my Bostons in

MrClean · March 2014

lol Frost, I was just using it as an example since you brought it up...I don't think you have to worry about your record ...for now... *evil laugh* Para let me know if you ever need help with training :-) I've been pretty slow here lately lol, but if you don't mind my slowness I don't mind helping take some of the training burden off

And hey, if it wasn't a challenge it wouldn't be as much fun lol

Para Darkwater · March 2014

Will do and thanks. Training gets so tedious on dial up but at the same time gives me something to do sense well there's not much else that I can load haha. As of right now I'm going to try to get my Boston lines done first and ready to event, keep some non eventing ones as studs/broods and for breeding stock. then work on the other breeds I need to round out my event line up.

Para Darkwater · March 2014

Well after further consideration I believe I've come to a decision with my Boston lines and specialization. I believe I'm going to focus breeding them for showmanship and obedience and work toward producing some top quality competitors in those events. If all goes well and they prove to be the stars I hope them to be I'll make them my star HH line and main focus. Then I can tinker around with some other breeds for the other events.

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Breed Specialization

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