Breeding Philosophy

  Breed healthy, sound dogs (mind and body): The need to have health clearances when doing breeding is imperative. No male or female should be bred without clearances, or at least the knowledge of the faults. It is the best you can do. Even with clearances, dogs that are not clear can and are produced. Physically sound dogs can be produced from dogs with minor faults. It is a fact of nature and the environment. You can only try to do what is best.

  We run all our breeding, and non-breeding, stock through KCA required and non-required health clearances. Some items are required by the Kuvasz Club of America for an AKC CHIC number (see AKC.ORG), but that does not mean there are tests which should not be included that are not required. We do hip and elbow x-rays, eye clearances, and thyroid tests. In the past, we have done BAER testing, but as we have not produced deafness, we no longer use that test.

  Temperament is part of genetics, and environment. Socializing our puppies at an early age is imperative to have an emotionally sound adult. We will do the PRA DNA test on all breeding stock, or have results the parents are not carriers.

  Breed to the Standard as it is written: This means promoting consistency in type. Breeders should not breed dogs that do not look like the Kuvasz described in the standard. Each person interprets the standard differently, but a Kuvasz needs to fit the standard. We do not necessarily breed to top winners, just because they win. We breed dogs we feel fit the standard, and acknowledge problems and faults our dogs may have. Every breeding is an attempt to improve.

  No dog is perfect. Accepting and acknowledging individual faults helps to improve the breed by causing us to breed to animals without those faults, and enhancing the positive of both animals. We very carefully assess all breeding to IMPROVE the Kuvasz.

  Do not over-breed: This is a special breed of dog, and too many produced by one person/couple/entity just doesn't add anything. Too many puppies/dogs cannot be socialized, placed, shown, groomed, or housed properly. Kennel help is not a substitute for a loving family relationship.

  Producing dogs to say you have the most number of champions, to me, is simply an ego trip and not in the best interest of the breed. I have had as many as 20 Goldens and Kuvasz at one time. I didn't have any trouble with that many Goldens, but the Kuvasz needed much more time to socialize, train, and keep groomed.

  Goldens love everyone. Kuvasz need to learn to love people. I can honestly say that all my first Kuvasz (Panache's) babies and grandbabies have not had the problem she did with strangers because Don and I spend a great deal of time and effort to socialize, take puppies out and meet people, take dogs out to strange situations.....you can't do that when you have too many. What is really too many? Not sure, but you can bet that 50 is WAY too many.

  Socializing begins right at birth. Every day, puppies need to be picked up individually and loved. Different people need to be introduced. While the puppy may not be able to see or hear for the first two weeks of their lives, they can feel and smell. The more different things they are introduced to prior to leaving our home, the more they can accept and understand.

  Do not place puppies (or adults) with people who do not have the same commitment, if they plan to breed. If they do not plan on breeding, place with a spay/neuter contract. In addition, always be there for your puppies and adult dogs. If someone has a problem or a question, we will take the time to offer suggestions, and even visit or have them visit us, for impromptu training and/or grooming lessons. There is no excuse to not be there for your puppy buyers!

  Use a contract that states the breeder will take back any dog that purchasers/owners cannot, or do not want to, continue to own and care for. This is NOT a replacement guarantee. Simply a contract that states, as a breeder, you take responsibility for what you have produced. We will also help with rescue for other Kuvasz. While we do not have a lot of room to home rescues, we will transport and/or evaluate for the Rescue group. We just cannot take the chance of hurting people or dogs by housing rescue animals.

We are always willing to discuss and help others with dogs, and especially Kuvasz.