If you are wanting to show and breed then you are making an important investment in the future of your kennel and aspirations. Study the breed standard and try to see as many dogs in as many different places as you can – websites both here and overseas, shows and kennel visits.

Whether for a pet or show/breed potential puppy certainly the internet is a useful tool with many kennels promoting their dogs on personal websites. It is also a somewhat one dimensional tool. Ideally you should try to visit many shows and kennels if possible. Try to see a style or type of dog that you like and also view dogs in their home environment – if looking for a pet this can also help you to decide which sex is best for you.

Certainly everyone loves their own dogs and we all see different qualities and virtues in them but be aware that personal websites are there to promote and sell the owners dogs and puppies. Generally you will only see what they want you to see so rather than just taking their word for it you need to do some ‘hard work’! Many times I read imaginative (or perhaps untruthful) descriptions of dogs and bitches I have seen which to me look and move nothing like that described. Very often people talk of wonderful toplines and good rear angulation yet all you can view on their webpage is front or slightly off centre pictures in which you can never see these features. Crossing in front and/or plaiting behind or moving too closely behind are often called ‘good movement’ but you cannot see this on a website! This is where show visits or even video footage of shows or the dogs at home can help.

There have been many dogs and bitches imported to Australia and some wonderful bloodlines but if a dog or bitch is described as having an ‘outstanding pedigree’ do some research as this is not always the case. As I said earlier the internet is a powerful tool – find out what the dogs parents and littermates look like (are they the type you seek) and what results they themselves have had on the show scene in Europe. What successful relatives and offspring the dog or bitch might have produced? Certainly the best dogs are widely used and you should  be able to find a number of offspring/relatives to view. We do have some very good and influential lines here and some of the kennels in Australia are moving towards a definitive plan which is to be applauded.

Show results are perhaps the least useful indicator of the dogs you are looking at as in some states there are several shows on one day and therefore there is little or no competition within the breed and often very little within the group. Royal shows are certainly our best attended shows depending on the judge. European judges are preferred as many other countries do not recognise the breed so the judges may not be qualified to judge the breed.

All dogs used for breeding should be hip and elbow x-rayed and scored prior to breeding. Breeders should be only too happy to provide you with copies of the dogs certificates. For those who are looking to breed in the future, some breeders may be able to provide hip scores for a number of generations and show some familial trends which may be a help in future decisions.

Certainly once you have done a little research you will realise there is a lot more research to do! It takes time and I would advise people not to take the first puppy offered to them until they have fully researched all options. After all the research has been done and you have made your decision then hopefully your future addition will be everything you hope it to be!