​
​
​
-
​The goal of pairings is to produce puppies with highly social, resilient, low aggression temperament suitable for life as a family pet; who possess good inherent health, lack of any disease significant impacting quality of life; and sound structure that allows ease of movement and normal exercise tolerance
​
-
Breeding goals which include an aesthetic component are acceptable if temperament and health are consistently prioritized above appearance in breeding choices
​
-
Breeding choices will be consistent with the Functional Dog Collaborative guiding statements
​​
-
Carrier status of recessive mutations should not be used to exclude dogs from breeding unless all other factors are equal. . Pairings will not be made between two dogs carrying the same deleterious recessive mutation without a strategy to reduce prevalence over time.
​
-
Temperament should be the highest and most important consideration when choosing breeding candidates and matching pairs, followed by health, then structure and appearance
​
-
Sociability with humans and dogs is the most important aspect of temperament to be considered
​
-
Overall resilience should be emphasized when choosing candidates
​
-
Selection for individual desired traits, and the frequent introduction of new stock, will be emphasized
​
-
Predicted genetic COI of puppies will be < or = to 10 %
​
-
The use of the oldest possible appropriate healthy stud is encouraged
​
-
Natural mating is encouraged for at least the first breeding of each dog, to establish its ability to do so. Inability to mate naturally should be considered a negative trait and breeding away from this concern is expected
​
-
Successful unassisted natural whelping and mothering of puppies is a breeding goal. Inability to do so should be considered when making breeding decisions, and breeding away from this concern is expected
​
-
Fertility should be considered and unexplained small litter sizes should be bred away from
​
​​
​​