The following is presented to describe the two prevalent approaches to breeding and to explain the direction our kennel has chosen and why. It is NOT intended to intimate that any other breeder or kennel is less correct in their approach. We are striving to be understood, not to convert or influence anyone else. Every Breeder is the "designer" of the Kennel they operate and should have complete authority over the breeding decisions they make. The ONLY fair requirement of an ethical breeder is to take responsibility for what they create. Our dogs are created for long life and our responsibility is for them for that entire lifespan, to the extent we have that control. We would never intentionally breed a dog which would run a predictable risk of having to be put down in an effort to achieve a particular feature, regardless of how desirable. AGAIN I stress, this is not to imply that any other breeder would either, it is merely a statement of our commitment. THIS ENTIRE PAGE IS NOT ABOUT ANYONE ELSE OR THEIR PRACTICES. It is intended merely as an explanation of our practices, since some of them are not the common practice of the day. We have tried to include articles of all types on the subject, even those which disagree with our philosophy entirely. But our first choices are to explain our own kennel philosophy.
There is actually a 3rd method or scheme of breeding. It is a combination of the two. A friend and fellow breeder put it this way "I learned to breed from my father who bred rabbits. He said you outcross to improve a line then line breed for a few generations to keep what you like. Then you outcross again to continue to improve." This is quite similar to what we plan to do. Line breeding is the safest surest way to consistency but too much of a good thing can be just that. Being afraid to outcross is just as bad as being afraid to line breed.
Please be understanding as you read the attached articles and we sincerely hope you enjoy them and learn from them as we have. The final chapter on breeding has yet to be written.
Making our own mistakes and learning as we go, Skip and Roberta Bales at DASHaHOUND.
Geneticist - Information
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Basic Genetics
An explanation in simple terms of how genetics work
By Dr. John Armstrong, a respected Geneticist and consultant to the breeding industry. Prior to hi death, Dr. Armstrong did a 20 year study on canine genetics.
Geneticist - Full Study
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 The Canine Diversity Project is a very complete study of canine genetics which includes a complete series of articles by Dr. John Armstrong on Genetics and their effects on breeding dogs.
Breeder - Opinion
Organization - Information
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Breeding Methods
A pretty blanced look at breeding methods. He finds a place for all and seems to favor a combination.
Breeder - Opinion
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Breeding Methods
An article by a Breeder who favors Line Breeding.
The section on Line-breeding is exactly true.
Note he states: "Line-breeding, and in particular in-breeding, carried out sensibly and correctly and after a thorough examination of the line has produced a clean bill of health, will almost certainly produce the type of dog you set your heart on and that inspired you in the first instance." Geneticist's concerns are the recessive tendencies discussed in the articles are not readily visible until sometimes too late. No examination of pedigree or visible characteristics of the animals can guarantee a "clean bill of health". What a line HAS produced is not a guarantee of what it will ALWAYS produce. DNA analysis may be a giant step forward in accomplishing this in depth look into the makeup of a dog.
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Geneticist - Opinion
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Breeding Schemes
Assortative Mating vs. Line Breeding
How DASHaHOUND decided on a breeding scheme
Geneticist - Information
Breeder - Opinion
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Line Breeding
A pretty good explanation of Breeding Methods pros and cons. She favors Line Breeding.
Organization - Information
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Breeding Methods
A good objective article. He refers to Crossbreeding (outbreeding) of horses. I like his summary: Crossbreeding initiates the desired change, while inbreeding increases the ability of each generation to breed "true to type".
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