Genetics vs. skill

[Buckeye Bob]

Question: in choosing and researching a breeding what traits are aquired genetically and what comes from training? I am becoming increasingly interested on the topic. In making a list of what traits I would insist on I was stumped with the question, where does genetics meet training? I know nose, body type and mouth would be genetic but how about kennel manners, ability to find and jump a rabbit, packing with other dogs. Etc etc? I have my opinions but wanting to hear from experience......

[Ole Mule]

Genetics shape a beagle dog in many ways including his potential to excel in hunting. Training, diet, and other factors play a large role in developing his potential, but his genes may also limit performance. He may have the genetic potential for becoming a champion, but if he lives a lifestyle of overeating and no exercise he would be unlikely to achieve that potential. On the other hand, a beagle dog with limited genetic potential can find ways to compensate and become a solid performer in the field. Not all dogs in a litter are created equal some are champions some are mediocre and some are culls, so call training lets you pick one from the other. Genetic wise look at the grandfathers and grandmothers and you should know what your get will be.

[Tim@GunDogMagic]

Well put Ole Mule. Buckeye Bob's question is a great one to ask.......genetics versus environment...... and we could make improvements to the breed if we knew the answers. Over my 45+ years of beagling I've seen a lot of mediocre hounds with great pedigrees. Most of these hounds were mediocre (in my opinion) simply because they weren't given the opportunity to get into the field and develop their potential. Too many guys I know keep more dogs than they can work sufficiently. I think it's especially important to run pups a lot during the first year after they're started to bring out their genetic potential to the fullest. And laying up any dog of any age for too long at any age sets it back. If we work the young ones enough (but not too much and burn them out), running them solo a couple times a week and running with a small pack of clean dogs a couple times a week we should see field potential develop nicely. I think training can also go a long way in teaching unruly pups kennel manners. If a whole litter turns out to be bad citizens and you know they weren't abused or neglected you have to suspect genetics. Put if only one pup out of a litter turns out to be a jerk, I would blame his environment. Maybe he developed dominance during the first few weeks of life (environment) and turned out to be a bully. I've found that a good soaking with a water hose goes a long way in correcting poor kennel manners such as nuisance barking, for example. If dogs fight at feeding time, separating them may be the best answer.

Tim Broadwell
http://www.gundogmagic.com