“The subject of inbreeding and linebreeding might be summed up this way: Probably no great epoch or step forward in any breed has ever been achieved without the constant and unhesitating use of consanguinity; at the same time we must realize that its use is full of dangers and pitfalls for those novice breeders who fail to recognize the imperative need for using only stock which is sound in constitution, organs and structure—and which also possesses points of merit, with NO SINGLE FAULT COMMON TO THE TWO ORIGINAL PARENTS.”[i]
As a preface to even the consideration to linebreed or inbreed, there are a number of foundational principles that must be firmly in place:
1. Be able to recognize shortcomings and merits of dogs to be bred.
2. Study the pedigrees of the breeding pair and learn the shortcomings and merits of the breeding pair’s ancestors.
3. Make certain to select near faultless foundation stock.
4. Cull relentlessly.
5. Never mate together two dogs with similar faults.
6. AND remember that “Physical compensation is the foundation rock upon which all enduring worth must be built.”
Brackett used the terminology of “family breeding” to denote the mating of closely related animals which would incorporate both linebreeding and inbreeding. He described linebreeding as “mating animals who are closely related to the same ancestor.”[ii] It should be noted, however, that the animals are “bred in line” to a common ancestor normally involving the second, third or even more distant generations. Inbreeding denotes an even closer association between the mating pair involving son to mother, father to daughter, brother to sister, half-brother to half-sister.
A valid question to ask is: why would any responsible breeder linebreed or inbreed? Brackett emphatically stated that its purpose is to improve the breed, get the best results possible, and to upgrade one’s stock. The advantage of linebreeding is simply to get predictable results—if the selection has been good, the “pulls” are all in the same direction. One ought to be able to move from hoping for a good result to having the power of the hereditary influence pull these factors into a favorable direction.
The greatest danger or disadvantage associated with linebreeding according to Brackett is that the breeder who employs selection by pedigree alone without consideration given to physical traits of the pair is the chief danger. Linebreeding does not replace proper selection. Under no circumstance should a breeder “abandon individual selection” to undertake linebreeding. Therefore, it becomes an absolute that the responsible breeder develops a system of linebreeding which combines animals similar in characteristics but narrows the pedigree to a few closely related line of descent.
In a similar manner, the advantages of inbreeding are that the highest percentage of blood of an exceptional dog can be kept. Furthermore, inbreeding holds and makes the greatest use of excellence by doubling up and intensifying good characteristics of the truly exceptional dog. The tool is likewise double-edged because the bad characteristics are doubled up and intensified.
Brackett offered several keys to correctly undertake inbreeding. The first prerequisite is to start with superior animals. Never use mediocre breeding stock. When poor or mediocre specimens are used, expect poor and mediocre results. When superior specimens are used, expect superior results. Learn what inherited traits you are working with. Bracket himself recognized that “any characteristic can be bred up or down, strengthened or weakened, by this method of breeding.”[iii] His writings indicate his belief that when superior animals are used VIGOR and FERTILITY as well as other attributes will result.
“To those for whom it is written, however, a summation of the total effects of inbreeding, and to a modified degree that of linebreeding, follows: All characteristics both good and bad exist in various degrees in different dogs. . . Results are entirely dependent upon SELECTION, remembering that ‘Physical compensation is the foundation rock upon which all enduring worth must be built.’”[iv]
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