As is our way. When a litter reaches six week of age we feel that we can evaluate the pups knowing most of what we are looking at. For this we use a pseudo objective six point set of criteria which takes into account the American Kennel Club description of the breed (five points of physicality). And we assign one point which is purely subjective and takes into account beauty of coloring, form, and personality. This six point evaluation has served us well since we started using it nearly twenty years ago. At the time we began using the system those people interested in reserving a puppy would receive the information prior to choosing, but now this is much more of a formality since pups are usually chosen prior to six weeks. This is certainly true of this litter.
This litter of eight pups is the first for our Lilly (Dulce DeLeche AKC) and the third for our younger male Rocky (Rocketdog Rockford Rhoades AKC). The first litter for a female is difficult to predict any outcomes but, at six weeks old, there's ample reason to believe this will be a great litter. Rocky is a great male in the American Basset Hound style. We are trying to breed a smaller form of Basset and, though he carries the genes of a smaller dame (under fifty pounds and quite small), he is nearly sixty pounds at three years old and so is not a small Basset. Lilly is a small form female of thirty-five pounds and so some of her offspring should be smaller in size as adults. Only time will tell. Both parents are great examples of the breed and so we expect this litter will carry these great traits as they grow. Both have exceptionally long ears, we formed heads with thick necks and bodies which taper perfectly to their strong hips. Neither appear to be destined to hip troubles. Both have heavy foreleg bones and deep chests. This litter carries the right stuff and none of the pups will receive less than the full five AKC derived points for form. There is simple nothing wrong with any of them.
Dilly is structurally perfect, with the expeception of a minor jaw set issue. This overbite will likely clear itself when his adult teeth arrive in a few months and we have seen this sort of thing before. Basset Hounds are genetic dwarves and some mismatching of parts is common. But all of Dilly's other parts are perfect. His foreleg bone size is quite heavy, for a pup that will eventually reach sixty pounds. His thick neck hold a perfectly domed head up high. His snout is wonderfully boxey, sporting large facial fews and extraordinarily long ears which nearly reach the ground. His body tapers smoothly to hips muscular hips. The hips themselves are chunky in appearance and hold his rear leg stance back in aggressive posture. This is a good start on growing a strongly built Basset Hound boy.
Dilly is very patient, adding to the idea of his becoming show material. But his patience is subjective. He loves to play hard. He runs everywhere and loves to climb where he can. He is not the best climber in the group, but he keeps at it and has occasionally run down stairs effortlessly. Dilly rarely comes for cuddling and has little patience for lap sitting, but he will hold a pose for pictures. Dilly prefers the company of dogs over humans, but is not overly aggressive at play or the food dish. Dilly has always barked at stranger danger. He barked at me at two weeks old, so he is naturally protective of his space.
Dilly's coloring is in flux. His ears are changing to red, from black, so it is difficult to say how he will appear as an adult. But he is still a prospect for becoming a show quality dog.
No comments:
Post a Comment