Nancy Talbott on the Pure Dog Talk Podcast

[@HunderbarDachs]

Thanks ladies! That was very interesting and entertaining. I hope you are getting some listens somewhere out there. I shared with several friends, about half of whom are our mutual acquaintances ❤

[@shellyblom31]

Breeding for the total dog is so important; we need to select for structure and coat that can stand up to the work. AND select for the instinct, drive and trainability to do the work. I too often get dogs in for training who have been sold to performance people because they have structural faults that made them not a "show pick", but that end up shortening the dog's career because they are constantly injured. Or on the converse, the show Ch who has a flashy but non-functional coat and/or absolutely no desire for birds when brought out to try field work. A saying that I like to borrow from my friend Anney is "Prove it or lose it." And I like to add "Choose it or lose it." People on both ends need to be honest with themselves about their dogs strengths and weaknesses and make those brave breeding decisions to add in that correction, and be prepared to accept that it may be several generations before they realize those aims. When dogs are chosen with both physical and mental traits in mind it is possible to get dogs who can sustain years of rigorous work.