Great post Dean. I agree with you on the mixing breeds part. Too many people thinking they can mix dogs like they can mix paint instead of refining a line or breed. Evidence of this is just go to FB and look at all the garbage people are trying to get rid of. There are a few breeders that have success mixing breeds but they are rare and definitely in the minority. For example I have always told people you want a rough Plott find rough lines and then selectively breed for roughness, don't add pit as that will open up a whole new can of good and bad traits to deal with. You can do it and it may work but for how many generations and how consistent does it breed through to all of a litter. If you outcross you will breed back into the line to get it where it is consistent and that takes a lot of hunting and culling. There are some breeders that can do this type of thing but most people cannot as it takes a lot of breeding knowledge, time, hunting, culling, and money to do it. In most cases you will have more success refining a line if you can find one close to what you want, but some people have a hard time with that too.
Just my two cents
Dean I have watched your dogs improve since you went the finder/holder route when we first became friends, so people may not agree with you but the proof is in the pudding and you have been able to prove your methods. I have no doubt they will only continue to get better. Look forward to seeing the progress.
Michael what I have coming up I believe will change a lot of perceptions about things. I certainly have been very blessed with the dogs I have used in the past. Always improving and adapting because the pigs are getting more and more savy. Plus I just love breeding better pig dogs. What's going on with my yard will no doubt have a big impact on how a lot of people do things in the years to come.
