How many litters is too many to sire?

[CockersIndie]

I'm signed up to the champ dogs litter notification doodar and I can't help but noticing a particular name coming up time and time again. And a quick look through pedigree research also indicates he's been used in some of our lines. I'm not going to say who but surely there Must be a limit? Even in a numerous breed such as ours, genetic diversity is something we must cherish?! I can only think of the issues in boxers I heard about when one sire was used so extensively despite having a congenital heart defect and almost ruining the gene pool!

I'm not trying to be inflammatory, just something I've noticed...

Thoughts?

[Jane57]

Ive often wondered about this too.

[dipsydoodlenoodle]

Ive often wondered about this too.

Me too, you'd think you'd want to expand the gene pool...however looking at it on a one to one, if the sire is the best, then you want your puppies to be sired by him...as everyone else would...which is then why this happens. It would be interesting to see any experienced breeders view points on this.

[CockersIndie]

Ive often wondered about this too.

Me too, you'd think you'd want to expand the gene pool...however looking at it on a one to one, if the sire is the best, then you want your puppies to be sired by him...as everyone else would...which is then why this happens. It would be interesting to see any experienced breeders view points on this.

Of course, I do understand that certain dogs are desirable etc but like you said, surely expansion is healthier?

But this particular dog isn't a young one either- he must have progeny who have been successful by now...

[Emilyoliver]

Can of worms  . It seems to be the case with show and working strains that as soon as Ch status is awarded, that sire is in every second pedigree. In working cockers it can be worse as the gene pool is already small. I think though that it is often the less experienced breeders who just choose a stud dog based on his awards/ Ch status rather than compatibility of lines. However, I do think stud dog owners should perhaps be more selective regarding the number and type of bitches they allow their dogs to be put to. While there are some inherited conditions that are known about and tested for, there may well be a host of others that are lurking in the background and could show themselves in the future (think pancreatitis, ED and disc disease just as possibilities).  

[CockersIndie]

The sire I've seen used alot is from a successful show kennel- I thought they'd be a bit more selective.

I wonder if there is a 'magic number' with sires as there is with dams.

[Emilyoliver]

Don't think there is a limit?  Unless it's a very large number   

[Jane S]

I can possibly guess the sire referred to on here - if it's the one I'm thinking of he has sired 100 litters to date There is no limit on the use of stud dogs - it may be something the KC considers in the future but at the moment, any dog can be used as often as the owner allows & if it's a well-known stud dog who has produced good progeny, then people will continue to use him. Some stud dog owners are very selective and others are not (or don't like to say no to anyone ). As long as stud dogs have the magic "Clear" for both DNA tests, lots of breeders don't see any problem in using them over and over again no matter how short-sighted that might be (it's as if the two conditions we have DNA tests for are all that matters).