This 2014 paper examined the role of mutations in a gene that is known to affect white spotting in dogs. Specifically, this paper looked at polymorphisms (another word for mutations, meaning “different versions”) in the MITF (“microphthalmia associated transcription factor”) gene. The paper looked at the promoter region of the gene.

The papers by Packer et al. (2015, just Packer from here on) and Liu et al (2017, just Liu from here on) on risk factors for BOAS are often pitted against each other when critics and supporters of extreme brachycephaly in dogs engage in discussion.

Maternal care has been shown to have an influence on individual development in many species including rodents, primates, humans, and adult dogs. This study builds off those findings to investigate if maternal care has an influence on puppy behavior.

This study identifies breed-specific conformational risk factors for brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS) in three breeds with extreme brachycephaly: pugs, French bulldogs, and bulldogs.

Different brain areas are associated with controlling different neural processes, and the size of a brain area in a species tends to correlate with how much that species uses that process. For example, olfactory (smell) areas tend to be larger and more complex in animals that depend heavily on smell, while prefrontal cortices are larger in animals with high cognitive abilities, such as humans and primates.

This two-part study investigates risk factors for brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS) by looking first across dogs of diverse breeds and conformations, and second, across brachycephalic dogs.

Temperament traits include both stable traits and adjustable traits. The stable traits are typically hard wired. It is difficult for a breeder to change these traits in the puppies for the most part. The puppy evaluation simply identifies these stable traits so puppies can be matched with families that will meet their unique needs.

Large dogs die younger than small ones. This well-known pattern poses a conundrum for evolutionary biologists. Across species, large mammals live longer than their small counterparts; for example, an elephant versus a mouse. In marked contrast, within species large size seems to carry costs in terms of an individual’s life span. The phenomenon has been documented in several species, but the negative relationship between size and lifespan is most evident in the domestic dog.

This article will present some of the current information and data that is available regarding temperament testing puppies, to support breeders as they make their own determination about temperament testing for their program.

Choosing perfect homes for your puppies is what I believe to be one of the most difficult parts of being a responsible dog breeder. There are so many “what ifs.” Here are some of the “what ifs” that go through my head when I open up my puppy application for new applicants:

• What if the new families don’t love my puppies as much as I did?

• What if the new families don’t know how to handle illness and emergencies?

• What if the new families don’t ever keep in touch with me?

• What if a family breaches my contract?

What if you felt empowered to choose new families (customers) for your puppies based on an application or interview process that gives you confidence in a new family rather than doubt?

Desexing has both physical and behavioral implications. Spay/neuter timing needs to consider the both the physical and behavioral ramifications of allowing a dog to remain intact. I'll cover both here, and also present a risk analysis of physical issues associated with spay/neuter (S/N).

Researchers were interested in studying reproductive success in female dogs (bitches) after artificial insemination (AI). Artificial insemination refers to the deliberate introduction of semen into a female by a veterinarian. No natural breedings were included in this study.

A lot of breeders don’t understand the caloric requirements of a nursing mom. During the last trimester of pregnancy, her caloric needs are two to three times her normal caloric needs. During nursing her caloric needs can be as much as six times her normal caloric needs, depending on her litter size and metabolism. This will get a little math-y and just a little technical. I think it’s better if we can understand a little of the why before we learn the how.

Here are the five top lessons I wish I knew (even if I wasn’t ready to hear them), and know that I’m presenting them to you not wanting to discourage you, but wanting you to know what you are getting yourself into. You will be bringing little lives into this world you are responsible for, so this is as much for them as for you.

Breeding successfully requires several important partnerships, and our veterinary partners are critical. Most pet owners have a general practice vet they use, and may see a specialist such as an orthopedist or a cardiologist. For a breeder, one of your most important veterinary specialist partners is your reproductive vet.   

This blog post will cover why it's so important to purchase a puppy from a breeder who does DNA tests on their breeding stock and what to look for when provided a copy. We will cover in a future post why you might consider DNA testing your own dog, especially if you rescued, purchased from a puppy store, or bought a puppy without researching the breeder.  

Consumers have become increasingly aware that the best puppies come from reputable breeders whose dogs are part of the family. This leaves reputable breeders in a predicament as to how to make sure their animals have the best possible lives while also maintaining diversity and high standards for their breeding program. One solution many breeders rely on is the use of Guardian Homes.

The term “SEO” is thrown around a lot in website discussions. Many dog breeders don’t even know what SEO stands for, let alone how to implement an SEO strategy for their websites.

In this article I would like to help you understand what SEO is, how it can substantially benefit your website traffic and overall online presence, and how you can easily implement your own basic SEO strategy without hiring any help.

There’s no single way to wean successfully. Weaning is as much art as science. You will be most successful if you understand the basic principles of weaning and understand how to apply those to each litter. Each litter is different, even those from the same pairings, and weaning can differ from litter to litter.   

Inbreeding refers to the breeding of related individuals. Inbreeding depression is the reduced biological fitness (an animal’s ability to survive and reproduce) in a population because of inbreeding. For example, scientists researching the Australian Thoroughbred horse population found that inbreeding led to reduced racing performance.