STAMPING THE LOOK SEMINAR, by Cheryl Anderson, Cherden Shelties

The one day, or first segment, classroom-style 8 hour seminar has been designed for clubs who want to help educate already well-established, as well as new, show breeders about the practical aspects of further developing and maintaining a healthy breeding program in Shelties. This includes how to establish their own line of show dogs that will be known for its own unique genetic "stamp." It is not about my own kennel or line of dogs.

This seminar includes an overview of the history and development of the Sheltie breed from unusual alternative sources and a different conceptual understanding of its standard of perfection. It uses discussions of terminology and knowledge of structure and its basis in functionality. It incorporates the ethics involved in program breeding, and how to choose and establish the goals of such, whether small or large, in this volatile era of increasing animal activism. This seminar advances the various latest, new, non-Mendelian theories of genetics and breeding in dogs, and focuses on Shelties very specifically. It shows the ways to use these theories in practical everyday application. It gives breeders new methods and concepts to consider, and new tools for their programs. This is a seminar about common sense use of applied genetics, not limited book theory. This is shared knowledge of skills learned from a variety of sources, offering real life, practical solutions to program questions and issues. It is about how to breed smart.

In this vein, the material covers what to do when a breeding program runs into problems because it will, how to breed around and eliminate these problems. It covers the general genetics of many polygenetic health issues, and the future of the Sheltie. It discusses the five phases of an ongoing program, the value and useages of line, inbreeding and outcrossing, and the four basic types of planned programs which can be used instead of scatter breeding. This course is a condensation of principles learned over 35 years from actual practice, from close observation of large scale programs such as Banchory, and from the invaluable wisdom and trade secrets shared by long-time breeder-mentors such as Betty Whelen and Libby Babin.

This seminar has not been designed for newcomer levels. Newbies will find this an intense immersion into the world of program breeding. It has been designed for the fully experienced serious breeder who is at a point of not knowing exactly how to safely intensify a program, where to turn or go in the long run, or what to do with problems in a program, or how to find clean stock to incorporate in that program. This seminar does not contain a lot of scientific jargon, but practical, common sense application of the newest genetic theories such as emergenics. It covers everything from the use of matador studs, of inbreeding formulae, and the impact on breeding results, and how to use the various available tests effectively. It comes with a 75 page handout booklet for supplemental study and reference which contains copyrighted and special use material. While this version of the seminar is not specifically designed as an all breed program, many breeders have found much value in this course as the principles discussed apply to any breeding program. Interested parties of all breeds are encouraged to attend, especially if they are involved in the Collie family or herding breeds. Or if they are trying to preserve old bloodlines, whatever the breed. A new, two-day version for Shelties incorporating a hands on-style teaching format on the following day is now available. This second, 6 hour day has students bring their own dogs so that all attendees may go over each other's animals. This is effectively kennel hopping in one stop, while learning and gaining a greater hands-on depth of knowledge about how to determine the various structural features of any animal and understand how function affects type, structure, and movement. The objective is to learn how to refine your discernment of virtues, so to better evaluate your own and outside stock for breeding improvement, to learn how to knowledgeably judge for yourself. It is done in a strictly non-competitive, virtue format by examining, hands on, various structural features as described by the standard. This includes a complete dissectional analysis of the standard, its origins and interpretations.

For further information about this seminar, and/or if you are interested in hosting Stamping the Look at your club, contact: Cheryl Anderson at (503) 543-2993 or email me at: cherden11@email.msn.com