DOCSLIB.ORG

Beef Performance Glossary

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Beef Performance Glossary Beef Cattle Handbook BCH-1000 Product of Extension Beef Cattle Resource Committee Adapted from Beef Improvement Federation Beef Performance Glossary John Hough, Amercian Hereford Association David Notter, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Accuracy (of selection) - Correlation between an ani- Improvement Association representative, or area office mal’s unknown actual breeding value and a calculated esti- of USDA meat grading service for information. mated breeding value (or expected progeny difference). Beef Improvement Federation (BIF) - A federation of Average daily gain (ADG) - Measurement of an ani- organizations, businesses, and individuals interested or mal's daily body-weight change. involved in performance evaluation of beef cattle. The purposes of BIF are to bring about uniformity of proce- Adjusted weaning weight (WW) - An unshrunk, off- dures, development of programs, cooperation among the-cow weight adjusted to 205 days of age and to a interested entities, education of its members, and the mature dam age equivalence. ultimate of user performance evaluation methods. It also builds the confidence of the beef industry in the princi- Adjusted yearling weight (YW) - An unshrunk weight ples and potentials of performance testing. adjusted to either 365, 452, or 550 days of age. Birth weight (BW) - The weight of a calf taken within Alleles - Alternate forms of genes. Because genes occur 24 hours after birth. Heavy birth weights tend to be cor- in pairs in body cells, one gene of a pair may have one related with calving problems, but the conformation of effect and another gene of that same pair (allele) may the calf and the cow are contributing factors. have a different effect on the same trait. Body condition score - A score on a scale of 1 to 9, Artificial insemination (AI) - The technique of placing reflecting the amount of fat reserves in a cow’s body, semen from the male into the reproductive tract of the where 1 = very thin and 9 = extremely fat. female by means other than natural service. Bos indicus - These are the Zebu (humped) cattle Backcross - The mating of a two-breed crossbred off- including the Brahman breed in the United States. spring back to one of its parental breeds. Example: A Hereford-Angus cross cow bred back to an Angus bull. Bos taurus - Includes most cattle found in the United States, including their European ancestors. Beef carcass data service - A program whereby pro- ducers, for a fee, can receive carcass evaluation data on Breed - Animals which have a common origin and com- their cattle by using a special “carcass data” eartag for mon characteristics that distinguish them from other their animals to be processed. See your county exten- groups of animals within that same species. sion director, breed representative, Beef Cattle BCH-1000 1 Breeding program goals - The objective or “direction” Chromosome - Chromosomes are long DNA molecules of breeders' selection programs. Goals are basic deci- on which genes (the basic genetic codes) are located. sions breeders must make to give “direction” to their Domestic cattle have 30 pairs of chromosomes. breeding program. Goals should vary among breeders due to relative genetic merit of their cattle, their Closed herd - A herd in which no outside breeding resources, and their markets. stock (cattle) are introduced. Breeding soundness examination - Inspection of a Collateral relatives - Relatives of an individual that are bull involving evaluation of physical conformation and not its ancestors or descendants. Brothers and sisters soundness through genital palpation, scrotal circumfer- are an example of collateral relatives. ence, and testing semen for motility and morphology. Compensatory gain - Gain from cattle that have been Breeding value - Value of an animal as a parent. The nutritionally deprived for part or all of their life. Once fed working definition is, twice the difference between a very feedlot diets they compensate for the earlier restriction large number of progeny and the population average, of feed by gaining very rapidly. when individuals are mated at random within the popu- lation, and all progeny are managed alike. The difference Conformation - The shape and arrangement of the dif- is doubled because only one gene of each pair is trans- ferent body parts of an animal. mitted from a parent to each progeny. Congenital - Acquired during prenatal life. Condition British breeds - Breeds of cattle such as Angus, exists at or dates from birth. Often used in the context of Hereford, and Shorthorn originating in Great Britain. congenital (birth) defects. Caesarean section - A process where the calf is Contemporary breed type group - A group of cattle removed from the cow during parturition by making a that are of the similar breed type, sex, and age, and have large incision in the right side of the cow just above the been raised in the same management group (same loca- flank. tion on the same feed and pasture). Contemporary groups should include as many cattle as can be accurate- Calving difficulty (Dystocia) - Abnormal or difficult ly compared. labor, causing difficulty in delivering the fetus and/or pla- centa. Correlation - A measure of how two traits vary togeth- er. A correlation of +1.00 means that as one trait increas- Calving season - The season(s) of the year when the es the other also increases—a perfect positive calves are born. Limiting calving seasons is the first step relationship. A correlation of -1.00 means that as one trait to performance testing the whole herd, accurate records, increases the other decreases—a perfect negative, or and consolidated management practices. inverse, relationship. A correlation of 0.00 means that as one trait increases, the other may increase or decrease— Carcass evaluation -Techniques of measuring compo- no consistent relationship. Correlation coefficients are nents of quality and quantity in carcasses. always between +1.00 and -1.00. Carcass merit - Desirability of a carcass relative to Crossbreeding - The mating of animals of different quantity of components (muscle, fat, and bone), USDA breeds (or species). Crossbreeding usually results in het- quality grade, plus potential eating qualities. erosis (hybrid vigor). Carcass quality grade - An estimate of palatability Culling - The process of eliminating less productive or based primarily on marbling and maturity and generally less desirable cattle from a herd. to a lesser extent on color, texture, and firmness of lean. Cutability - An estimate of the percentage of salable Carrier - A heterozygous individual having one reces- meat (muscle) from a carcass versus percentage of sive gene and one dominant gene for a given pair of waste fat. Percentage of retail yield of carcass weight can genes (alleles). For example, an animal with one gene for be estimated by a USDA prediction equation that polledness and one gene for horns will be polled but can includes hot carcass weight, rib eye area, fat thickness, produce horned offspring when mated to another animal and estimated percent of kidney, pelvic, and heart fat. carrying the gene for horns. Deviation - A difference between an individual record Central test - A location where animals are assembled and the average for that trait for that contemporary from several herds to evaluate differences in certain per- group. These differences sum to zero when the correct formance traits under uniform management conditions. average is used. A ratio deviation is the ratio less the average ratio or 100. 2 Beef Cattle Handbook Dominance - Dominant genes affect the phenotype F1 - Offspring resulting from the mating of a purebred when present in either homozygous or heterozygous (straight-bred) bull to purebred (straight-bred) females of condition. A dominant gene need only be obtained from another breed. one parent to achieve expression. Fat thickness - Depth of fat over the ribeye muscle at Double muscling - A simple recessive trait evidenced the 12th rib. It consists of a single measurement at a by an enlargement of the muscles with large grooves point three-fourths of the lateral length of the ribeye between the muscle systems especially noticeable in the muscle from the split chine bone. hind leg. Feed conversion (feed efficiency) - Units of feed con- Dressing percent - (Chilled carcass weight/live weight) sumed per unit of weight gained. Also, the production x 100. (meat, milk) per unit of feed consumed. Dwarfism - A recessive trait in which the skeleton is Fertilization - The union of the male and female quite small and the forehead has a slight bulge. gametes to form a new individual. This union combines two haploid cells to restore the diploid number of chro- Dystocia (calving difficulty) - Abnormal or difficult mosomes in the new individual. labor causing difficulty in delivering the fetus and/or pla- centa. Frame score - A score based on subjective evaluation of height or actual measurement of hip height. This score Economic value - The net return within a herd for mak- is related to processing weight at which cattle should ing a pound or percentage change of the trait in ques- grade choice or have comparable amounts of fat. tion. Freemartin - Female born twin to a bull calf (approxi- Effective progeny number (EPN) - An indication of mately 9 out of 10 will not be fertile). the amount of information available for estimation of expected progeny differences in cattle evaluation. It is a Generation interval - Average age of the parents when function of number of progeny but is adjusted for their the offspring destined to replace them are born. A gener- distribution among herds and contemporary groups and ation represents the average rate of turnover of a herd. for the number of contemporaries by other sires. EPN is less than the actual number because the distribution of Genes - The basic units of heredity that occur in pairs progeny is never ideal. and have their effect in pairs in the individual but which are transmitted singly (one or the other gene at random Embryo transfer - Removing fertilized ova (embryos) of each pair) from each parent to offspring.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Purebred Dog Breeds Into the Twenty-First Century: Achieving Genetic Health for Our Dogs
    Purebred Dog Breeds into the Twenty-First Century: Achieving Genetic Health for Our Dogs BY JEFFREY BRAGG WHAT IS A CANINE BREED? What is a breed? To put the question more precisely, what are the necessary conditions that enable us to say with conviction, "this group of animals constitutes a distinct breed?" In the cynological world, three separate approaches combine to constitute canine breeds. Dogs are distinguished first by ancestry , all of the individuals descending from a particular founder group (and only from that group) being designated as a breed. Next they are distinguished by purpose or utility, some breeds existing for the purpose of hunting particular kinds of game,others for the performance of particular tasks in cooperation with their human masters, while yet others owe their existence simply to humankind's desire for animal companionship. Finally dogs are distinguished by typology , breed standards (whether written or unwritten) being used to describe and to recognize dogs of specific size, physical build, general appearance, shape of head, style of ears and tail, etc., which are said to be of the same breed owing to their similarity in the foregoing respects. The preceding statements are both obvious and known to all breeders and fanciers of the canine species. Nevertheless a correct and full understanding of these simple truisms is vital to the proper functioning of the entire canine fancy and to the health and well being of the animals which are the object of that fancy. It is my purpose in this brief to elucidate the interrelationship of the above three approaches, to demonstrate how distortions and misunderstandings of that interrelationship now threaten the health of all of our dogs and the very existence of the various canine breeds, and to propose reforms which will restore both balanced breed identity and genetic health to CKC breeds.
    [Show full text]
  • List of Horse Breeds 1 List of Horse Breeds
    List of horse breeds 1 List of horse breeds This page is a list of horse and pony breeds, and also includes terms used to describe types of horse that are not breeds but are commonly mistaken for breeds. While there is no scientifically accepted definition of the term "breed,"[1] a breed is defined generally as having distinct true-breeding characteristics over a number of generations; its members may be called "purebred". In most cases, bloodlines of horse breeds are recorded with a breed registry. However, in horses, the concept is somewhat flexible, as open stud books are created for developing horse breeds that are not yet fully true-breeding. Registries also are considered the authority as to whether a given breed is listed as Light or saddle horse breeds a "horse" or a "pony". There are also a number of "color breed", sport horse, and gaited horse registries for horses with various phenotypes or other traits, which admit any animal fitting a given set of physical characteristics, even if there is little or no evidence of the trait being a true-breeding characteristic. Other recording entities or specialty organizations may recognize horses from multiple breeds, thus, for the purposes of this article, such animals are classified as a "type" rather than a "breed". The breeds and types listed here are those that already have a Wikipedia article. For a more extensive list, see the List of all horse breeds in DAD-IS. Heavy or draft horse breeds For additional information, see horse breed, horse breeding and the individual articles listed below.
    [Show full text]
  • Cotton Improvement Through Type Selection, with Special Reference to the Acala Variety
    TECHNICAL BULLETIN NO. 302 MARCH, 1932 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE WASHINGTON, D. C. COTTON IMPROVEMENT THROUGH TYPE SELECTION, WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO THE ACALA VARIETY By O. F. COOK Principal Botanist, in Charge, Division of Cotton, Rubber, and Other Tropical Plants, Bureau of Plant Industry CONTENTS Page Page General problems of selection in cotton 1 Cotton variations underlying the application Need for continued selection 1 of selection 28 Precautions commonly overlooked 3 Individual boll fluctuations 28 Selection to maintain adaptation 4 Abnormal variations of bolls 29 Nature and effects of selection 7 Uniformity an essential in cotton breeding- 30 Breeding for novelties 9 V isible and invisible characters 36 Limitations of the pure-line theory 10 Earliness characters 39 Effects of continued line breeding 12 Resistance to adverse conditions 44 Systems of selection defined and illustrated-.- 13 Stress effects and growth disorders 48 Four systems of selection 13 Field conditions and precautions in selection._ 50 Comparison of systems 14 Choice of conditions for selection 50 Type selection and progeny selection 15 Conditions for roguing . 51 Simplified type selection 17 Precautions with select strains. 52 Recognizing and maintaining a superior Methods of testing progenies 53 type 18 Comparing type progenies in groups 55 Selection for preserving a type 21 Progeny comparisons in different places.. 57 Differences among type progenies 25 Summary and conclusions 58 Significance of progeny drift _ _ 26 Literature cited _ 60 GENERAL PROBLEMS OF SELECTION IN COTTON NEED FOR CONTINUED SELECTION The problem of selection, as applied to the breeding and preser- vation of varieties of cotton, is more complex than current theories have recognized.
    [Show full text]
  • Catalogue and Also Under the Conditions of Sale Applicable to Southern Counties Auctioneers Horse Sales, a Full Copy of Which Is Available in the Auctioneers Office
    BEAULIEU ROAD SALE NEW FOREST, HANTS SO42 7YQ 3 miles from Lyndhurst on the B3056 Beaulieu Road and adjoining Beaulieu Road Station Sale by Auction of 158 NEW FOREST PONIES and other breeds of horses, ponies and donkeys under the auspices of the NEW FOREST LIVESTOCK SOCIETY THURSDAY 27TH NOVEMBER 2014 Commencing at 10.30 am Tel 01722 321215 Fax 01722 421553 www.salisburyauctioncentre.co.uk £1.50 SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF SALE 1. CONDITIONS OF SALE The sale will be held under the General Conditions of Sale as printed at the back of the Catalogue and also under the Conditions of Sale applicable to Southern Counties Auctioneers Horse Sales, a full copy of which is available in the Auctioneers Office. It is the duty of all Purchasers and Vendors to acquaint themselves with the Conditions of Sale. In the case of variance, the Horse Sales Conditions will take precedence. 2. PAYMENT All lots must be paid for on the day of sale and within one hour of the end of the sale by cash or debit/credit card there will be a 2% charge on a credit card, cheques will not be accepted unless prior arrangements have been made. Prospective buyers wishing to pay by cheque must be prepared to produce a Bankers Reference or Cheque Guarantee Card for a sum to cover their purchases. 3. WARRANTIES the only warranties at the Sales are - Quiet to Ride which shall imply that the animal may be ridden by a reasonably experienced person, on its own, in company and in traffic and is sound in wind, eyes, heart and action.
    [Show full text]
  • Discriminant Canonical Analysis of the Contribution of Spanish and Arabian Purebred Horses to the Genetic Diversity and Population Structure of Hispano-Arabian Horses
    UC Davis UC Davis Previously Published Works Title Discriminant Canonical Analysis of the Contribution of Spanish and Arabian Purebred Horses to the Genetic Diversity and Population Structure of Hispano-Arabian Horses. Permalink https://escholarship.org/uc/item/8w77w522 Journal Animals : an open access journal from MDPI, 11(2) ISSN 2076-2615 Authors Marín Navas, Carmen Delgado Bermejo, Juan Vicente McLean, Amy Katherine et al. Publication Date 2021-01-21 DOI 10.3390/ani11020269 Peer reviewed eScholarship.org Powered by the California Digital Library University of California animals Article Discriminant Canonical Analysis of the Contribution of Spanish and Arabian Purebred Horses to the Genetic Diversity and Population Structure of Hispano-Arabian Horses Carmen Marín Navas 1 , Juan Vicente Delgado Bermejo 1 , Amy Katherine McLean 2 , José Manuel León Jurado 3, Antonio Rodriguez de la Borbolla y Ruiberriz de Torres 4 and Francisco Javier Navas González 1,* 1 Department of Genetics, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, University of Córdoba, 14071 Córdoba, Spain; [email protected] (C.M.N.); [email protected] (J.V.D.B.) 2 Department of Animal Science, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95617, USA; [email protected] 3 Centro Agropecuario Provincial de Córdoba, Diputación Provincial de Córdoba, 14071 Córdoba, Spain; [email protected] 4 Unión Española de Ganaderos de Pura Raza Hispano-Árabe, 41001 Sevilla, Spain; [email protected] * Correspondence: [email protected]; Tel.: +34-957-21-87-06 Simple Summary: The demographic and genetic diversity structure and the contributions of Spanish (PRE) and Arabian Purebred (PRá) horses to the process of conformation of the Hispano-Arabian Citation: Marín Navas, C.; Delgado (Há) horse breed were evaluated.
    [Show full text]
  • 2021 Premium List
    2021 Premium List www.madisoncountyfair.net “Come to the Fair!” 169 92 169 John WayneDrive John Summit Street 92 Fairgrounds Madison County Fair Mission and Vision Statement The MISSION of the Madison County Livestock and Fair Association is to provide opportunities for 4-H’ers, FFA members, youth and adults of Madison County to showcase their accomplishments and talents in a safe family atmosphere while provid- ing activities, entertainment and learning opportunities to the guests of the Madison County Fair. Our VISION as the Madison County Livestock and Fair Association is to provide a unique quality experience by bringing the best in agriculture, livestock, entertainment and educa- tion to Madison County and Central Iowa. 2021 Summary of 4-H/FFA/Open Class Fair Book Changes ATTENTION ALL MADISON CO. FAIR EXHIBITORS: Exhibitors are responsible for knowing, under- standing, and complying with ALL Madison County Fair rules, regulations, and policies contained in this book. Even though the 4-H/FFA/Open Class Changes are briefly highlighted in these summary pages, please be sure to read ALL pages in this fair book that pertain to your participation in the 2020 Madison County Fair. 4-H/FFA CHANGES SUMMARY: Camping ............................. Page 16 ........... Added #4 General Rules .................... Page 28 ........... Changed Rule #11 Livestock Exhibit Rules .... Pages 32-38 .... Date Changes Livestock Auction .............. Page 35-36 ...... Read ALL Pages to View Changes Health Requirements ......... Page 37-38 ...... Read entirely for any updates in 2021 Beef ..................................... Page 39-44 ...... Premium Ribbon & Date Changes Household Cat ................... Page 45-46 ...... Read ALL Pages to View Changes Dairy Cattle ........................
    [Show full text]
  • Crossbreeding Systems for Small Beef Herds
    ~DMSION OF AGRICULTURE U~l_}J RESEARCH &: EXTENSION Agriculture and Natural Resources University of Arkansas System FSA3055 Crossbreeding Systems for Small Beef Herds Bryan Kutz For most livestock species, Hybrid Vigor Instructor/Youth crossbreeding is an important aspect of production. Intelligent crossbreed- Generating hybrid vigor is one of Extension Specialist - the most important, if not the most ing generates hybrid vigor and breed Animal Science important, reasons for crossbreeding. complementarity, which are very important to production efficiency. Any worthwhile crossbreeding sys- Cattle breeders can obtain hybrid tem should provide adequate levels vigor and complementarity simply by of hybrid vigor. The highest level of crossing appropriate breeds. However, hybrid vigor is obtained from F1s, sustaining acceptable levels of hybrid the first cross of unrelated popula- vigor and breed complementarity in tions. To sustain F1 vigor in a herd, a a manageable way over the long term producer must avoid backcrossing – requires a well-planned crossbreed- not always an easy or a practical thing ing system. Given this, finding a way to do. Most crossbreeding systems do to evaluate different crossbreeding not achieve 100 percent hybrid vigor, systems is important. The following is but they do maintain acceptable levels a list of seven useful criteria for evalu- of hybrid vigor by limiting backcross- ating different crossbreeding systems: ing in a way that is manageable and economical. Table 1 (inside) lists 1. Merit of component breeds expected levels of hybrid vigor or het- erosis for several crossbreeding sys- 2. Hybrid vigor tems. 3. Breed complementarity 4. Consistency of performance Definitions 5. Replacement considerations hybrid vigor – an increase in 6.
    [Show full text]
  • Breeding Systems and Selection by Mimi Busk-Downey from Pasos on the Web
    Breeding Systems and Selection By Mimi Busk-Downey From Pasos on the Web. Originally printed in the Peruvian Digest Forward There are many systems for breeding horses, and each has advantages and disadvantages. Breeders, regardless of how large or small their herds, strive toward certain production goals. We look for a uniform type of horse of high quality that will reproduce in a predictable way. The methods used to achieve these goals are common to all breeds, but specific applications to the Peruvian horse are discussed here. In the breeding and promotion of horses the positive aspects should be emphasized. I have great enthusiasm for the Peruvian breed and its future. As a long time breeder and student of genetics, however, I think it is important to be aware of problems in any chosen breed and try to eliminate them. By choosing appropriate selection procedures we can increase the breed's appeal in future generations. Definitions ~ Outcrossing is the mating of unrelated horses. The Peruvian breed is small and generally closely related. We can consider that a foal is the result of a complete outcross if no ancestor appears on both the sire and the dam side of a four- generation pedigree. The same horse may appear any number of times on one side of the pedigree, but if it does not appear on the other, the foal is an outcross. ~ Hybridization is also the mating of unrelated individuals, but by a specific formula and method. In Peruvian horses thirty or forty years ago, there were several major strains that had been geographically isolated from each other.
    [Show full text]
  • Monmouth Boat Club Has Diamond Jubilee
    For All Departments Call RED BANK REGISTER RE 6-0013 VOLUME LXXVI, NO. 49 RED BANK, N. J., THURSDAY, JUNE 3, 1954 10c PER COPY SECTION ONE—PAGES 1 TO 16. Coast Guard Auxiliary to Hold Oceanic Fire Company Celebrates 75th Anniversary Monmouth Boat Club Courtesy Exams This Week-End Has Diamond Jubilee ••- NEW YORK CITY—Roar Ad- This is the diamond jubilee year miral Louis B. Olson, commander save him a g d deal of trouble if of thn Monmouth Boat club cover- of the Coast Guard's eastern area he is inspected later by a regular State Chamber ing 73 years of boating activities. and third Coast Guard district, this Federal Communications commis- Its anniversary program, the birth- week called attention to all pleas- sion official. This check is also day date being May 29, culminates ure boat.owners to the free public rendered as a "courteBy," and no Opposes Bill 9 with thin week's activities. service of the Coast Guard auxili- report Is made to F.C.C. should it The club has Issued a souvenir ary in conducting safety examina- be found that the boat owner has history and roster, 'he introductory tions of pleasure boats. not fully complied with the laws On Teacher Pay page of which carried a message "This season," he said, "presents pertaining to vessel radio stations. from Commodoro Harvey N, a. greator challenge than ever be- Each auxiliary flotilla has its Commissioner Schcnck as follows: fore. Many new boat owners are corps of qualified examiners and "Tho Monmouth Boat club's his- venturing on the waters for the will sponsor certain localities in its Isn't Arbiter, tory over the past 75 years reveals first time with little or no experi- immediate vicinity.
    [Show full text]
  • Review of the Current State of Genetic Testing - a Living Resource
    Review of the Current State of Genetic Testing - A Living Resource Prepared by Liza Gershony, DVM, PhD and Anita Oberbauer, PhD of the University of California, Davis Editorial input by Leigh Anne Clark, PhD of Clemson University July, 2020 Contents Introduction .................................................................................................................................................. 1 I. The Basics ......................................................................................................................................... 2 II. Modes of Inheritance ....................................................................................................................... 7 a. Mendelian Inheritance and Punnett Squares ................................................................................. 7 b. Non-Mendelian Inheritance ........................................................................................................... 10 III. Genetic Selection and Populations ................................................................................................ 13 IV. Dog Breeds as Populations ............................................................................................................. 15 V. Canine Genetic Tests ...................................................................................................................... 16 a. Direct and Indirect Tests ................................................................................................................ 17 b. Single
    [Show full text]
  • As a Responsible Dog Breeder
    • How often is someone at home? • Will they have time to walk and play with the dog? As A Responsible If feasible, it’s not unreasonable for a breeder to make a house call after the puppy has had time to settle Dog Breeder in with its new family. Some breeders require dog buyers to sign contracts indicating specific conditions of care. Important qualities to look for in potential puppy owners are interest and inquisitiveness about you and FOR MORE the dogs you breed. A person or family truly committed to responsible dog ownership will want to learn about the INFORMATION CONTACT: breed and how to care for it. THE AMERICAN KENNEL CLUB A RESPONSIBLE BREEDER IS RESPONSIBLE ◆ FOR LIFE. Now comes the best part of being a breeder. 8051 Arco Corporate Drive, Suite 100 (No, it’s not putting away the newspaper liners and Raleigh, NC 27617-3390 ◆ puppy food.) It’s having those great families you selected call you with news of puppy’s first tooth, first Customer Service: (919) 233-9767 veterinarian visit, first dog event, first win at an AKC event! It’s getting letters. It’s getting holiday cards. It’s THE AKC IS ON THE INTERNET! getting family portraits with your puppy (yes, it’ll Our World Wide Web home page address is: always be yours) smack in the middle. What’s not to www.akc.org love about being a breeder at these times? But now can come the worst part too. It’s the nice Our e-mail address is: young couple who is divorcing and neither person can [email protected] keep the dog.
    [Show full text]
  • Smart Puppy Buyer's Guide
    If you’re looking for a new dog, check your local RSPCA or other animal rescue group first. There are many wonderful puppies and dogs out there looking for new homes. But if you can’t find the right dog for you, or have your heart set on a specific breed, you’ll need to find a good breeder. Here’s how to go about it. Follow our Smart Puppy Buyer’s Guide and you’ll be on the right track to taking home a healthy, well-adjusted puppy and helping to prevent the sale of puppies from puppy mills or irresponsible breeders. Healthy puppies come from breeders who: 1. Plan ahead and aim to find good homes for every puppy they breed 2. Provide a high standard of care and living conditions for all their dogs 3. Are genuinely concerned about the welfare of their dogs 4. Are open to questions and provide a complete history of the puppy 5. Make sure that you will suit the puppy and the puppy will suit you 6. Breed to produce happy, healthy pets, free from known genetic disorders 7. Provide ongoing support and information to new owners 8. Provide a guarantee 9. Provide references on request 10. Meet all their legal requirements Finding a good breeder means asking these important questions: 1. Did the breeder plan ahead for this litter? A responsible dog breeder plans each pregnancy and knows that there is enough demand for their puppies to ensure they will all go to good homes. Ask the breeder if this pregnancy was planned, how many litters the mother has already had (six should be the maximum over her whole life), and what they will do with any unsold puppies (a good breeder will hang on to them until the right home can be found).
    [Show full text]