Second best dogs are just that second. They are lacking in some way shape or form and thus the reason they are not number 1 dogs on your yard. A little saying I have went by was. (always breed to something as good or better than what you have or you are regressing). The common goal is to maintain desired traits and have something worthy and capable of reproducing those traits.
The actual question to this topic that I just cannot rationalize is .....reputable breeders of line dogs that would pass up their best two dogs to cross a second best string and attempt to accomplish a higher quality dog.
I am not in any way a gene guru...Haha never even heard of a line breeding calculator or how to figure a percent of a percent of a decimal in regards to speaking of dogs breeding before getting my internet edjumacation.
Good discussion boys am enjoying the angles and interpretations.
I agree...second best dogs are just that...but one time I lost my best female I had at the time and I didn't have a choice but to breed to a small female, about 35 pounds and she was of one of the colors I didn't like...but as a pup she had shown lots of range and hustle by 4 months old...did this with her siblings or alone, it didn't matter to her... and she was hunting striking at a young age...I didn't like her, she was a cull to me so she was given away...long story short I got her back for one breeding and the smallest pup from the litter was 45 pounds of hard hunting, very rough hog dog...all the pups kept were basicly the same but larger dogs...a pretty good cross but her grandchildren were probably the best litter I produced...and her 45 pound daughter I called FLY (the runt)was probably the best female I ever owned...I had to keep her on leash until we were ready to hunt...because she was going to where the hogs were...with or without us...but too much drive/hunt can be bad in real hot and humid weather conditions...
but I totally agree...best to the best is always best...and because I am not a gene guru my saying has been this...since I do not understand genetics then the best policy is to breed related but only the best to the best...because the best defense is a great offense...
