Posted: Sat May 09, 2009 10:01 am Post subject: Brittany population
I am slowly munching my way through the magazine of the CEB and many articles in that issue are of great interest. From the Sable colour to the inbreeding coefficient of the Brittany.
It looks as if it is just over 5% inbreeding with the total of the Bretons- all going back to 31 dogs!
The article states that 40 years ago the genetic diversirty was great.
Using the top Studs reduces the gene pool and many many dogs go back to Tintin de Keranlouan. Hence going toward a " bottle neck".
There is mention of molecular markers( which I don't really understand, sorry ) and a statement that the poulation is healthy.
On a personal basis, and always on the look out for good pedigrees, it is interesting but also of slight concern that so many of them have the same dogs in the background.
Now, I wonder, how many of the Uk population will shrink without further infusion? As all the old members will know all the first imports?
What will the effects be?
Yes, Patricia, just reading your post and I can think of quite a number of dogs (as sires) crop up time and time in the magazine...of course, the recommendation etc format used is going to lead to this, isnt it? And, an elite dog is exactly that if one was looking for a sire. And it is only natural for people to seek these top dogs, isnt it? _________________ "...amitie, respect mutuel et amour..."
Yes, I agree. But it is not always good practice to use the 'top'dogs all the time. It does restrict the gene pool.
Quite often there are just as good dogs that could be used that haven't been put forward for the top awards.
Just taking the UK alone, I know of a number of dogs that are worked, but not trialled so they will never get to the top dog spot. Their owners don't have the time or inclination to take part in trials - that doesn't mean the dogs aren't as good as those with awards. The same goes for showing - just me for instance - being alone, and with other dogs to have looked after, I can't trail round the Championship shows for two reasons - I can't drive the distances single handed and I need my other animals, not just dogs, looked after. So it is highly unlikely Allez will get his title - but he's the shortest dog I know, he has the best rib cage and chest I know, and a great temperament too. Those are facts - the top dogs may be excellent but there are other excellent dogs around too - I am sure it is the same in France and in other countries. _________________ Annie
Handle every situation like a dog, if you can't eat it or play with it, just pee on it and walk away
I will try to translate this article for a future newsletter as it raises some interesting points. It is however, quite long and not too easy so I will do it when I have a bit of time.
On my side, I now have Indy, Iska and Crak, Varim in a few of my pedigrees including Toscane's sire.
Whilst Indy, Iska, Luron,Lurky etc...are Elite, I feel we may restrict ourselves in future? Other males can also be of great breeding value and only shooting dogs or only trialers. Maybe in the right hands and with Professionals, who knows?
I now have a bitch-also tailless- with many other dogs with diverse lines from du Calestray etc...
A wide genetic pool is quite useful for future...
For those who can afford to import, yes it is! _________________ Annie
Handle every situation like a dog, if you can't eat it or play with it, just pee on it and walk away
Money received from puppies can be reinvested -or saved- to bring in fresh blood, or go over to France to use compatible & recommended Studs. The passport is quite reasonable.
People also look at the lines behind a male and what it is behind they are looking for.
It is also interesting that the article states that the population from the 6 th and 7 th group are in the majority from dogs who go shooting...
The problem is the keranluan.....its a very big breeder with lots off dog's.....and with a good reputation.....so the change that there is a keranluan in the line is a big one.....
In to all the dutch line's there are keranluan name's....so.. itslooking for the needle in the hooimijt( don't know the englisch word ( haystake )?)
as long as all the breeders are folowwing the "rules" there will be a little problem.....iff they don't.. well goodbay EB _________________ ad fundum; bottums up
Isn't the place to look for a stud not the winning dog but the parent? After all it was the parents who produced the winning dog. Training excluded. _________________ Guy, Ellie, Topaz, Catja and in memory Barley
Beauty from Structure
www.epagneulbreton.org.uk
True...about the parentage...and further back...In France, many will see a particular dog run and decide to use it as they have been impressed by its working pattern.
ie lately R'Vampire and Boy des Sources Claires. It is interesting to see the pattern of lines.
I am not referring to trainers or "Pros" as it is obvious they will have the edge. ie the Bois des vauchelles, and manu Marco, Joncour etc...But there again, I guess they won't put a mediocre dog in their van
I've read with interest this thread and it has given me food for thought. I was at the British Falconry Fair a couple of weekends ago and saw quite a few Brittanys and was surprised in general at how small they were. BB only just meets the standard for height, but was easily one of the bigger dogs there. A couple of the bitches I saw were tiny, without exageration, they were not much bigger than a Jack Russell. Is there any evidence that the falconers are tending to breed among themselves? If so then this will reduce the gene pool even more. I see from the KC statistics that 158 Brittanys were registered in 2008, is there any way we could get an idea of how many of these were bred by Club members? Such imformation would give a better idea of the gene pool and would also give us some ideas on how as a Club we need to expand our interests.
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) and a statement that the poulation is healthy.
