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Originally Posted by Skip  I don't believe all the same genes necessarily are passed down to every pup in a litter. |
Skip - I would tend to "believe" the same - but without being geneticists, isn't it hard to say as a statement that pet quality rottweilers are genetically different than working quality rottweilers? We are after all, making some educated 'guesses' when evaluating a litter of puppies - when saying this or that pup is of working quality. I was surprised at the statement simply because without scientific study of genetic makeup - I wouldn't think you could back that up....as a lay person.
Looking at two pups from the same litter - pup A is evaluated as having working potential and pup B is evaluated as being pet quality. Let's assume (wrongly, but go with me here) that the breeder allows me to purchase pup A and I simply come home and raise him as a pet. He is allowed to camp out with the family and just be a dog. You purchase pup B, with hopes of stimulating him enough to train and compete successfully in some working venues. You find the reward that motivates pup B and the two of you do okay competing in your chosen venues. At three years of age, these same two dogs are re-evaluted.......wouldn't the eval produce reverse results? Pup A would be pet quality and pup B would be working? I think this is what you are saying about training.......but I was curious about the "genetically different" statement mainly. Sounds a little to me, like saying "he's a purebred", simply because both his reported parents are standing there and appear to be rottweiler (or whatever breed).