Gundog Expert Articles

Which Sire to Use by Keith Erlandson

Regarding breeding, William Arkwright wrote in 1915,  'First to the pup's actual pedigree, he should have a first rate dam... his sire's excellences there is not quite so much necessity to investigate... the owner of a good bitch will almost certainly have exercised care in her mating'.

It is abundantly clear that Arkwright accepted as essential the use of only top class dams in a breeding programme.

If you take a look at some of your friends' shooting dogs, you may decide that one has all the attributes you would seek in a sire.  However, it must be borne in mind that fewer shooting people seem to have their dogs' hips and eyes screened than do field trial persons and whereas you are more likely to get away with it in spaniels, the matter concerning retrievers is more significant.

If you should decide to use one of the many  Field Trial Champion sires advertised, at least you will be secure in the knowledge that it has passed muster under judges insofar as positive qualities and freedom from hereditary working faults are concerned but remember, even putting  the best to the best does not always guarantee success.

(posted 28/07/2003)