Page 82 - Chow LIfe - Summer 2020.pdf

JUST A BROOD BITCH

AKC Gazette Excerpt

By Love Banghart
CCCI Gazette Columnist

One of the most important contributors to any Our experience that has taught us that a proven
breeding program is the dam who easily and Chow Chow brood bitch will often produce another
consistently produces healthy puppies of high excellent brood bitch, thus producing a line of Chow
quality. These bitches are hard to find and are Chows who consistently produce ROM recipients,
unfortunately, often not deemed to be the “pick of based upon the quality of their get. A breeding
the litter” until many years after they have passed program that includes at least one excellent brood
away. In studying pedigrees and our Chow Chow bitch in each generation can allow the breeder to
ROM (Register of Merit) lists, the breeder recognizes develop a distinguished line of Chow Chows without
what a great contribution a brood bitch has made to having a kennel of twenty or more dogs and bitches.
the breeding program.
Once a brood bitch has
The brood bitch puppy is been retired from the
often one who is extremely breeding program, they
sound and displays no should be spayed to avoid
obvious breed faults, but is future health problems
considered to be plain in and allow them to live
comparison with the litter long and happy lives in
mates. She has a wonderful their following years.
temperament and learns They are excellent house
quickly. Whether kept by companions and family
the breeder or allowed to members. Spaying will
go to a new home, she is usually cause a noticeable
carefully placed with an change in their coat
experienced breeder who quantity and texture, but
will have her tested for this can be easily managed
hereditary defects (including dysplasia, sight and with regular grooming and occasional trimming.
hearing defects, hormonal imbalance and immune They may also be prone to gaining weight, thus
system disorders) prior to breeding and will be very requiring diet management.
conscientious in selecting the sire for each litter. As
she matures, it may become apparent that she is a During conversations with other Chow fanciers, we
very deserving contender for an AKC conformation often hear the phrase “That puppy is only a brood
championship and / or an AKC obedience title. bitch and not a show potential”. I challenge you
Hopefully, the owner will pursue these objectives as to consider that the puppy that is “only a brood
well as their breeding objectives. bitch” may well be one of your most significant
contributions to our breed.

(This article first appeared in the March 2005 AKC Gazette and is reprinted with permission. To read the online Gazette, visit
www.akc.org/pubs.)

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