Our breeding goal
I think it is very important to formulate a clear breeding goal in the field of pedigree dog breeding. However, one must not remain rigid, but must be flexible. Flexible in the sense that you are informed about the current state of research in the field of pedigree dog breeding and integrate this newly gained knowledge into your breeding. Looking back, you can see how your own goals have changed over the years and, as in my case, have been given a completely different focus.
Development
When I first started thinking about breeding several years ago, I thought that by importing dogs from China I could expand the limited gene pool of the breeding population here. My original idea was to breed moderate meatmouth Shar Pei. I thought it would be a good idea to breed both types together, which might help the Western Shar Pei onto a healthier path.
A lot has happened since these first vaguely formulated breeding goals. Not only did I read a lot in the field of genetics and population sciences, I also got a lot of advice from experts. Geneticists, veterinarians and other experts in modern science-based animal breeding. At the same time, I continued to work intensively on the original breed in China in order to understand the breed even better.
The allegations of „Qualzucht“ (a German word that is difficult to translate, but it means unethical breeding, literally translated it means „torture“ or „cruel“ breeding), some of which have been restrained and some of which have been incorrectly formulated, have also given me a lot to think about. For me, to some extent, this became a very ethical question. What I can reconcile with myself and my conscience. I looked at the population of the breed here in the West and in China and wondered what I wanted. Do I want to help an ailing Western population and improve it a little bit, or do I want to help the Chinese to maintain and promote the original population they have.
Ethical and emotional decision
Ethically, because we don't know the western breed-typical diseases in the original Chinese population, all dogs tested so far are CNV 2 and POAG/Pll free. A condition that I see as the normal basic condition of the breed. A condition that allowed the breed to get as old as it is in the first place. And that is exactly what I want as a breeder. I don't want to run the risk of breeding puppies that don't meet these basic requirements. I don't want to breed puppies that already have too much skin at two or three weeks and, in the worst case, can't open their eyes on their own, which is then only possible through cosmetic surgery. And I don't want to breed dogs whose eyes are correct and "sunken" according to the FCI standard, but are therefore at a significantly increased risk of getting entropion. I do not want to breed any puppies that are not CNV 2 or POAG/Pll free, because even if a dog with CNV 6 or 10 can grow old and healthy, the risk is too high for me personally and I do not want to be responsible for any animal suffering that may arise .
Emotionally, because I got a deep understanding of the Shar Pei thanks to my intensive contacts with the breeders and enthusiasts of the breed in China. The passion, openness and motivation I experience there for the breed and its protection is contagious. I also experienced an integration and acceptance there that I often miss here in the West.
And even though the Chinese Shar Pei population is tiny compared to the Western one, in the area in and around Guangdong Province we count only about 200 original Shar Pei, I still decided to devote myself to this very population. Through my breeding, I would like to actively contribute to protecting and promoting the stock of the original Shar Pei in China, because I see potential to achieve something there through targeted, scientifically supported breeding programs. This gives us the opportunity to get something that I think is worth preserving.
Implementation
As an active member of the Dali Shar Pei Club in China, I want to continue to educate the western world about the original Shar Pei. Through my breeding in Europe, I would like to give interested people the opportunity to get to know and love the original Chinese Shar Pei. The puppies that I breed here and sell will all contribute to new scientific discoveries. Also, I will use part of the money I get from selling a puppy for our currently planned protection and breeding project (a Shar Pei dog park) in Dali, China.
