Breeding Better Dogs 101...

Well, Rueben, I think you understand I respect you and agree with you more than not. But that was a pretty passive/aggressive post IMO.

I agree that breeds were made from cross dog mixing but traits are set by tightening up on what works...

...or else we'd be running and working and breeding solely on scattered up mutts that fit the bill for whatever and it would work and wouldn't be no job specific breeds or lines thereof.

Specific traits are/were bred on then locked down thru line breeding. That's were breeds developed for job specific traits and along with that came phenotype, creating breeds.

Is there an occasional need for an out cross of a family or even a breed...sometimes yes IMO, contrary to ocenee's. ...to counter a bit of depression and these should be tested and evaluated for real results and it it worked retightened on to really see if there was a gained advantage or take another course to attain some vigor in a stale line or breed

.....respectfully from an observer and study of dogs/breeds and not claiming any measurable experience of breeding or creating.

That being said, while I do ascribe to a 'natural dog ' (laughs, I side joke with ab guys) theory, I also think a keen eye and testing and even training go a long way with picking such a natural dog