“I try to point out a procedure by which a beginner breeder might, most quickly and surely, improve the ‘mean’ or average quality of his production—and indeed within a few years bring forth, and quite consistently, some ‘toppers.’”[i]
“Given a foundation bitch who herself if of superior quality as compared to the average of her breed, and who has a pedigree in which some top-quality dogs appear one or more times, the procedure recommended herein, of course, would have been different. Advice would have been given to breed back on one or more of those ‘toppers.’”[ii]
Brackett utilized the terminology of “toppers.” In Planned Breeding, he does not define in any detail the usage of “toppers.” However, one can determine from the context of the above-mentioned paragraphs the intended meaning of this Brackett terminology. It should also be noted that the use of the term “toppers” seems to have become non-existent today.
Brackett seemed to be stating that one’s “toppers” are superior specimens in the breed possessing all the attributes of a show specimen with great genetic background. A “topper” would be not only a great specimen, but also one who produces great specimens. A “topper” will be one who has a family of good specimens behind it.
Of course, “Mr. German Shepherd” advocated the breeding back on one or more of one’s own “toppers.” He stated that “…we must remember that inbreeding and linebreeding serve to accentuate not only the GOOD but the BAD points and, again, that when such breeding is used, STRICT SELECTION must be made.”[iii] In addition, he vehemently warned against breeding the best to the best without regard to bloodlines. Furthermore, he seemed to reluctantly agree to outcrossing, emphatically stating that outcrossing should be used only for definite purposes.
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