This article first appeared in the AKC Gazette.
Written by Marianne Sullivan
Family of dogs. We say it all the time, but does anyone ever give much consideration as to what it means? A recent tribute to Trudy Mangels and Brandwyne Collies in Collie Expressions Magazine sparked some thoughts along these lines. They bred Collies for little more than a decade yet continue to influence even to this day. Many people breed dogs but only a small percentage have lasting influence. In Gayle Kaye’s book The Collie In America she states “Something made certain breeders and/or dogs successful in establishing family lines, while others failed.” Defining that “something” can be tricky! These family influences often come after the fact, for example, a stud dog or a bitch is recognized as important only generations later.
Before dog shows there was not as much emphasis on “family.” The dog was selected for working ability, for duties around the farm, parents were chosen for hunting ability or herding skills. Written pedigrees, families, and lineage came later with the desire for show type.
What do you think of when you think of a “family of dogs?” Do you recall the kennels of old-with 75 to 100 dogs-numerous generations together, and easily identifiable characteristics within the family? Do you think of decades of breeding-generations of champions? What makes a family, three generations of champions, four, five? Or is it strong family characteristics, bred for generations for certain attributes that become “fixed” and predominant? Do you think of families as one or two famous stud dogs coming from a kennel? Or dogs that leave their mark on a large number of other kennels and families?
Without large kennel populations any more breeders have had to develop family in different ways; some co-own, some nurture a satellite group of breeders, some use their stud dogs to get puppies back and widen their options. Establishing a family must be time tested; breeding one champion under mentorship from another breeder doesn’t constitute a family. Someone searching for a “show dog” and a generic request that goes something like “I’m looking for a rough female, show quality” are missing the idea of searching for certain lines or families, in other words, attributes within that line that the buyer feels are important.
Defining family can be elusive when trying to say precisely what makes a family and especially how to make a family. There are examples of breeders producing numerous champions and yet are still not considered having a family of dogs. It behooves a prospective buyer/breeder to become familiar with individuals, know something beyond names in a pedigree, understand the differences, and where the emphasis is with that particular breeder. One frustrating aspect of this is when small kennels don’t continue on or choices are limited within the family to breed back into.
Families are more than just a general look; a certain expression, body outline or the picture as a whole define a family. There is also temperament, health, attitude, structure, coat, and even the faults to consider. Siblings and offspring that are never shown or bred are important too for telling us the direction of that line. Families are complex, interesting, and important to our breeding plans.
