The Theories Of Genetics

	Row 1. Both parents have a dominant gene in a double dose and therefore all the offspring will be pure for this trait.
	Row 2. One parent is pure for the dominant factor and the other parent looks as if he/she is pure but carries the recessive gene. Therefore half of the offspring will be pure for the dominant trait having a double dose, and half will will look as if they are pre but will have the gene for the recessive factor and will therefore be carriers.
	Row 3. One parent shows the dominant trait but is a carrier for the recessive gene and, if mated to a recessive partner which must ipso facto carry the trait in double dose, half the offspring will be similar to the recessive parent with the recessive genes in double doses, and half will have the same genetic make-up as the other parent, looking dominant but carrying the recessive traits. The whole litter are carriers.
	Row 4. Both these parents will look dominant but each will carry the recessive trait. The offspring from this mating will be, one dog pure dominant having a double dose, two looking dominant but carrying the recessive trait, and one will show the recessive trait as it has the double dose. The proportion will thus be 1:2:1.
	Row 5. One parent is pure dominant having a double dose, and the other parent has the double dose for the recessive trait. The resulting litter will all look like the dominant parent but each one is a carrier for the recessive trait.
	Row 6. The recessive trait is in double dose in each parent and will be seen in the resulting offspring which will all show and carry the recessive trait, and will remain pure recessive as long as they are mated to recessives.

These are the only six possibilities of mating. Each trait is determined by two genes which may be dominant and/or recessive, one gene coming from each parent to form a gene pair.
(This is a very simplified explanation of the Mendelian Theory, showing the recessive white gene and how it is passed on in any mixed-color breedings.)
A black square represents the dominant gene from one parent.
A white square represents the recessive gene from one parent.
Two black squares represent the dominant pair, one gene from each parent.
One black square and one white square represent a dominant gene from one parent and a recessive gene from the other parent, making a dominant/recessive gene pair.
Two white squares represent the recessive gene pair, one gene from each parent.

The Bruce Lowe Theory - the second genetic theory

This theory was derived from his personal experience in breeding horses. Lowe only gave consideration to the female in analyzing a pedigree, tracing each dam in each generation. It was his contention that only winners could produce winners and that after a successful mating in which a winner was produced that mating should not be repeated, due to saturation where the female absorbs some of the actual circulation of the sire, and the mating would not be balanced. Many do not believe/agree with this theory of saturation, as many repeat breedings have been very successful.

Many place more emphasis on the quality of the Bitch than on the Sire. Yet, your Stud should also be of equal or higher quality than the bitch. But, as we know, a person with a mediocre bitch cannot expect an outstanding Stud to correct all her faults in the puppies. He will, undoubtedly, modify and correct some, but the "gene bank" is still to be considered in her also.

The Weissman Theory - the third genetic theory

This theory deals, for the most part, with traits that are transmitted by the grandparents. It was Weissman's belief that the offsprings favor and acquire more from their second-generation ancestors than from their parents. He also believed that the male progeny inherited the qualities of his Dam through her maternal ancestors, while the female favored the Sire through his paternal ancestors.

This theory has considerable merit and coincides with previous statements regarding inherited characteristics and emphasis that should be given to the ancestors in a pedigree rather than to the parents totally. In other words, if a Sire produces something great, then he is the producer of quality rather than his son. Yet, we have seen that the sons, if linebred (or inbred) to carry quality genes, can also pass on quality, especially in another line-breeding. In a total outbreeding (outcross), these chances are lessened due to lack of similarity on the other side of the pedigree.

The Galton Theory - the fourth genetic theory

This theory is one on which some breeders do not put much confidence. Yet, it is the theme of many American breeders. In other words, the quality of the offsprings is determined by the number of Champions in its ancestors. It was Galtons's contention that an expected litter would inherit certain percentage points from each generation of its ancestors.

To bring this all together, I believe it can be said that we are dealing with a number of independent genes which are hidden in the chromosomes of cells of both parents. Some of these genes produce quality traits - others will produce fault characteristics which we would like to eliminate from our lines.

It is believed that "heredity" is a tool for "like producing like." To duplicate likeness of a particular object, the same materials must be used, same color, etc. Selective breeding is the answer in our White Shepherds to strengthen the quality genes, and to try to lessen the hidden recessive ones.

To accomplish this task, there are three basic types of breeding methods to be considered: Inbreeding, Linebreeding and Outbreeding.

It is a known fact that, throughout the years, a fairly accurate set of probabilities can be expected by each method.

• Inbreeding:* 5 out of 25
• Linebreeding: 5 out of 50
• Outbreeding: 5 out of 200

*Inbreeding does not bring in the faults - it only intensifies qualities/faults already there!

As shown by the above, inbreeding is the quickest way to obtain uniformity of type. It purifies a strain, and perfects type with certainty. It has been stated, that "a picture is worth a thousand words." So true, when attempting to show the product of quality through selective (quality) breeding.

Our table shows how this can be done. Know your animals: know their recessive faults (shown in white); know their dominant qualities (shown in black) - and your breeding program is on its way to quality breeding. Be honest in dealing with these faults; do not be kennel blind to your own stock. If there is a faulty trait in your dogs' bloodlines, don't breed it to another one carrying the same fault. Correct your breeding by breeding to an animal carrying the good qualities of your own dog (or better), but missing the fault you want to eradicate. Or, if you definitely want to outcross, than breed to a better quality dog (in all ways) than yours. However, he should be missing that fault you want to eliminate, so that it will not be passed on any stronger in the progeny. Some percentages still remain in passing that fault on genetically in the progeny, but at least you would not be strengthening it and passing it on 100 percent.

Always breed better quality than previously! Always breed quality!