About our Breeding Program
Regardless of whether or not your breeding stock is loaded with champion titles or not, a breeder must have a good understanding of structure where form is integral to the dog's function.
Balancing conformation and temperament is key to breeding good dogs. Watching a dog move, you can pretty much guesstimate on the soundness of the dogs' physicality by movement. Are the knees wobbly? Do the front feet point East-West when the dog stands still? Do the hips go sideways as the dog runs forward? Is the dog cow hocked? Is the dog barrel chested?, etc. In regards to temperament, I watch for confidence without aggression or shyness. I also look for dogs with the bark factor. For someone who is not a hunter with a hunting breed, I have to know that the dogs I am breeding will fit in well with city dwellers as well as hunters looking for pups with good hunting instincts. Knowing basics like these is important in order to move forward with a breeding program.
I am not purposely breeding for a high prey drive hunting dog nor am I purposely breeding for the next Blue Ribbon collector. I have to remember that as a breeder I have to ensure each pup will go to the right homes and not every home hunts and not every home shows. I am simply breeding sound dogs that will be happy to do whatever you train them to do. I'm making sure that the dogs I produce will excel in either field or show ring. There is one caveat for the show folks and that is although many of my stock is of show quality and fit the Rat Terrier standard, bear in mind that I'm also using those dogs to help me continue the development of the Old Dominion size dogs which will grow larger than the AKC/UKC standard for the Rat Terrier breed (not to exceed 18" in height). The purpose of the Old Dominion variation is that they produce larger, thicker looking dogs than the Standard Rat Terrier and have milder temperaments.
Last but not least is known health problems. PLL (primary lens luxation) is one of the main concerns in the breed today. PLL is inherited and a dog must have one parent that is a carrier in order to be a carrier as well. If both parents have PLL, it is a high chance that your dog is a carrier or is affected by it. I'm happy to report that I've started with Foundation Stock that came from PLL-free parents so there is no worry about passing on that gene.
Balancing conformation and temperament is key to breeding good dogs. Watching a dog move, you can pretty much guesstimate on the soundness of the dogs' physicality by movement. Are the knees wobbly? Do the front feet point East-West when the dog stands still? Do the hips go sideways as the dog runs forward? Is the dog cow hocked? Is the dog barrel chested?, etc. In regards to temperament, I watch for confidence without aggression or shyness. I also look for dogs with the bark factor. For someone who is not a hunter with a hunting breed, I have to know that the dogs I am breeding will fit in well with city dwellers as well as hunters looking for pups with good hunting instincts. Knowing basics like these is important in order to move forward with a breeding program.
I am not purposely breeding for a high prey drive hunting dog nor am I purposely breeding for the next Blue Ribbon collector. I have to remember that as a breeder I have to ensure each pup will go to the right homes and not every home hunts and not every home shows. I am simply breeding sound dogs that will be happy to do whatever you train them to do. I'm making sure that the dogs I produce will excel in either field or show ring. There is one caveat for the show folks and that is although many of my stock is of show quality and fit the Rat Terrier standard, bear in mind that I'm also using those dogs to help me continue the development of the Old Dominion size dogs which will grow larger than the AKC/UKC standard for the Rat Terrier breed (not to exceed 18" in height). The purpose of the Old Dominion variation is that they produce larger, thicker looking dogs than the Standard Rat Terrier and have milder temperaments.
Last but not least is known health problems. PLL (primary lens luxation) is one of the main concerns in the breed today. PLL is inherited and a dog must have one parent that is a carrier in order to be a carrier as well. If both parents have PLL, it is a high chance that your dog is a carrier or is affected by it. I'm happy to report that I've started with Foundation Stock that came from PLL-free parents so there is no worry about passing on that gene.
The Foundation dogs behind
Puppy Chulos Old Dominion
Briarbey Karma @ Puppy Chulos - Big and beautiful at 19" tall and weighing in at 35 lbs.
Red River's Nike @ Puppy Chulos - One of our sweetest moms. Standing at a mere 17" and weighing in at 37 lbs
Briarbey's Orion @ Puppy Chulos - Handsome at 21" tall and weighing in at 32 lbs.
Briarbey Remmy - This stunning stud is 21" tall and weighs in at 37 lbs. Our favorite resident stud
Eel River Poseidon the Sea King - A handsome standard Ratty used for an outcross. He stands 17" and weighed in at 28 lbs.
Kimber @ Briarbey - This handsome boy stands at 17" and weighs in at 35 lbs
