Breeding........

Question
QUESTION: Hello Renee.  I have what may be a foolish question, but I honestly don't know the answer.  First, let me give you a quick background.

I have a full-blooded male Pug and a female Pit Bull mix.  They have just had puppies, and the mother has become very agressive towards people coming to look at the puppies.  She just bit her third person, and now we are not going to be able to keep her.

We were wondering if we could keep a female from the liter, and allow her (when she is grown, of course) to breed with her Pug father.  We were not sure what kind of relationships in dogs are harmful, or okay?  We were hoping to be able to do this, because that would make the future puppies more than 1/2 Pug, which of course they are 1/2 Pug now.  

What is your advice on this?

Thanks,

Derrick

ANSWER: Hi Derrick. Inbreeding can be a wonderful tool with knowledgeable breeders. Inbreeding brings the best, and worst, out in the puppies. If mom had a temperament problem, then I definitely wouldn't suggest breeding a puppy back into her sire, because you can bet the house that those puppies will also have temperament problems as well. Inbreeding doubles up on the good and the bad. That's why it's so important that when you decide to use this method of breeding to really know your lines and dogs. Inbreeding helps to set type, but if any bad traits are lurking in the genes, they will most likely pop up. It's ultimately your decision to make. Just be honest with yourself, and remember: you are responsible for those puppies. So, make your decision wisely. Follow your head, not your heart. If mom didn't have the best of temperament, do you really want to pass that on to future puppies? I wish you the best of luck! P.S. The only foolish question is the one not asked. :-) So if I can be of anymore help, let me know!

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hello Renee.  There was a problem in the way I worded my previous question, that I am afraid left a wrong impression.  I say this because I asked this same question of another expert also, and they got the same impression that you did....that the mom had a bad temperament.

Let me clarify something....The mom has bitten 3 people, but ALL of the bites have happened since this liter of pups have been born, and involve strangers being near the pups.  Otherwise, in her 4 years of life, she has been one of the most affectionate dogs I have ever seen.  I understand what you are saying about breeding bad temperaments, but I honestly think she was simply protecting her young.  Unfortunately, the fact that it has happened a 3rd time for ANY reason, means that our state has some very strict stipulations for her that I am not able to meet.

That's why I was wondering about one of the female pups.  If their temperament is anything like either parent, I see no problem there at all.  Basically, I was wanting to know if breeding relatives would produce deformed or mentally impaired puppies, I guess would be my question.

Any other thoughts you have would be appreciated.  Thanks Renee.  

Answer
Hi Derrick! I get what you're saying now. I apologize. Sometimes it's hard to fully understand what people mean over the internet. :-)

Some moms do get really protective over their babies. If she was perfectly fine before her litter, that means with complete strangers, children, ect., then I don't think that I would automatically label her a bad dog. However, I'm sure you know, pit bulls get a really bad rap. I was personally raised with a pit bull, and have no bad thoughts or feelings towards them. I honestly believe that it's the way these dogs are bred and raised. I just want you to know that I'm not prejudice against this breed.

As for any deformities and such, again, that goes back to the parents. It falls back to what's in their DNA. When you decide to breed two different breeds together, you run into a delima. You're not only fighting one breed's genetic problems, but two. The only piece of advice I can give to anyone considering inbreeding is to seriously look into what lies behind their dog's ancestry. The key to any breeding is to try to produce better puppies than theirparents, even if just breeding for pets. Both parents have to have sound temperaments, and I mean they have to be really sound, really good health to even be considered for such a breeding. If you do inbreed, you will most likely find any genetic defects lurking behind your dogs. Some breeders use this type of breeding as a test breeding to see if their dog's are harboring any defects. Remember, you're doubling up on the good and the bad genes with inbreeding. If you honestly do this, then you tried your best to make sure that the puppies will be also. I can't say not to do this. Just make sure you're prepared for whatever happens, if anything at all happens. It may turn out just fine for you and your dogs. You honestly just never truly know with dogs. Breeding dogs is more of luck than actual science. It's so hard to predict what will or won't happen, because you're dealing with live beings. I hope that maybe I have answered your question better? If I can be of anymore help, please let me know!