Chimera Kennels

Lee, just wanted to ask you more detail on lines you want to focus on in program, and potentially use to diverge your breedings from.

Why "Sorrells CS/Eclipse" based line and a "Bullette" line?

What do you see as the temperament/physical differences?...which would ultimately define the best use of these types.

Also, why do you no longer continue the types of breeding which produced dogs like Tora/Tara/Splash (AsiaxGrit)?? ....those are some nice looking dogs!  ...Isn't Damon and Tate from this line (dam is Tora).  Damon is definitely a looker ;o)

The temperament of my dogs is generally very consistent, because if I don't trust the dog's temperament to be what I want...then I won't keep the dog in my program. Although the dogs have some variation in appearances to some degree...performance wise they are very similiar as they meet the standard requirements of performance for the breed or they wouldn't be part of the program.

Bullette did everything I ever asked her to do and did it well...and learned very quick. One of the best "all around" dogs I ever owned. Powerful, intelligent, desired to please, plenty of drive and with balance and stability...and physically sound. An all around quality Swinford.

Several of the CS/Eclipse dogs, although they are unrelated to Bullette. Deserving their own line that defines what the breed is about.

The Tosa/APBT lines were slightly different. They were on average a bit leggier...lighter framed but with more speed and endurance. We have not stopped using these dogs. They are here and although Tate is "sold" (pending), we are collecting sperm from him (retaining breeding rights), we have his brother Damon, and we also have a closely related "3/4" sister Lynn (who had the same sire, but different mother...however the mother of Lynn and Tate were sisters). Then there is also Draco who was out of Splash and Bullette. We use the "tosa/pit" as one of our "outcross" lines back into the Preacher or Bullette lines. But, the reason this line isn't kept "pure" is because we want to add some physical power...man stopping brute muscle force raw power into these dogs...and Preacher and Bullette both do that quite well.

If a person wanted a family companion guardian, all would be fine. If a person wanted "maximum stopping force" you got to go with Preacher or Bullette. If a person wanted a "sport candidate" or a dog for patrol or to jog with...the Tosa/APBT dogs would serve very well.

chimerakennels at 06:09PM on Mar 10, 2010

The temperament of my dogs is generally very consistent, because if I don't trust the dog's temperament to be what I want...then I won't keep the dog in my program. Although the dogs have some variation in appearances to some degree...performance wise they are very similiar as they meet the standard requirements of performance for the breed or they wouldn't be part of the program.

 

Bullette did everything I ever asked her to do and did it well...and learned very quick. One of the best "all around" dogs I ever owned. Powerful, intelligent, desired to please, plenty of drive and with balance and stability...and physically sound. An all around quality Swinford.

 

Several of the CS/Eclipse dogs, although they are unrelated to Bullette. Deserving their own line that defines what the breed is about.

 

The Tosa/APBT lines were slightly different. They were on average a bit leggier...lighter framed but with more speed and endurance. We have not stopped using these dogs. They are here and although Tate is "sold" (pending), we are collecting sperm from him (retaining breeding rights), we have his brother Damon, and we also have a closely related "3/4" sister Lynn (who had the same sire, but different mother...however the mother of Lynn and Tate were sisters). Then there is also Draco who was out of Splash and Bullette. We use the "tosa/pit" as one of our "outcross" lines back into the Preacher or Bullette lines. But, the reason this line isn't kept "pure" is because we want to add some physical power...man stopping brute muscle force raw power into these dogs...and Preacher and Bullette both do that quite well.

 

If a person wanted a family companion guardian, all would be fine. If a person wanted "maximum stopping force" you got to go with Preacher or Bullette. If a person wanted a "sport candidate" or a dog for patrol or to jog with...the Tosa/APBT dogs would serve very well.

Hey Lee.

Although you're saying for maximum stopping force to go with Preacher or Bullette, would you say a lighter Tosa/APBT will also have a chance, or absolutely not? Just curious since you know me being into the lighter dogs and all.

Tate, Lynn, Damon, and the Tosa/APBT will stop a man as well...much quicker than most guardian breeds.

Damon in fact is a big dog, and powerful, so he would likely stop an intruder quicker than Tate or Lynn.

The difference is...

Preacher would send a man backwards. Bullette would stop them where they are. While Tate and Lynn would slow them down and fight them while an BIG MAN may still go forward he would be so busy fighting that he would quickly realize he is getting seriously ___ up! The Tosa/APBT line has a lot of fighting intensity.

Lee I was wondering which line would my dog Akshun be in considering his father is Damon from the tosa/apbt line and his mother is Lucille from the Preacher/bullette line. Would he just be a cross?

I'll say this I've worked Lynn and even though she's not heavy, she is extremely strong and could easily pull the average man around, Especially without any protective equipment.

Akshun would be a combo of both lines. Damon isn't JUST from the APBT x Tosa...and neither are Tate or Lynn. All 3 of those dogs DO HAVE Levi in there also. The "pure" APBT x Tosa dogs would be Splash, Tora, Tara, etc.

In other words, your dog is a multiple generation Swinford.

Thanks for the insight Lee.

So I guess the major reason to split them is to have two seperate gene pools....both being equivalent at their job??

I do see 3 different "looks" from your dogs:

- the Bullette/Levi chiselled, solid (and very intimidating!) look

- the Preacher/Lucille/Saphira masiffy, VERY solid look

- The racier, athletic Asia/Grit look (probably would make great hunting dogs)

Are you trying to also get more consistency in phenotype with the line breeding??

.....which line do you like the best

I would agree with your assessment. And, you are correct in that I want more than 1 gene pool to tap into. IMO, many breeds got started with too limited a gene pool as a result of line breeding and only creating one line...and as a result such breeds end up with "breed specific health problems." By having several lines, my goal is to end up with a breed that is specific enough to do the job, but diversified enough to maintain a significant gene pool in order to maintain the LONG TERM health of the breed via good performance selection.

Power to ya Lee....keep at it

Thanks for the kind words of support. BTW, I think it would be a mistake to "close" the stud book from new lines. In fact, I think it is a good idea to maintain an open mind to new lines being created to add at later points if...1. it is needed, and 2. the RIGHT DOGS are used. By "right dogs" I mean good F1 or F2 dogs with the right genetic foundations (working class specimens from the right "origin" breeds) that ALSO PROVE thier ability to work. In other words, even though the breed will progress in its development and "purity" in form, I am not against the idea of INSURING the health of the breed by keeping an open mind to continue to allow others to become part of the program should they have done what we have done with the "foundation breeds," (that is if they did it properly and are able to verify such).

The breed should be defined by the working standard with guidelines on breed origins and performance expectations, and a stud book (registry) should be used to track breedings, but it is my opinion that a degree of willingness to keep a stud book open to WORTHY specimens actually ensures the long term health of the breed without sacrificing ability as long as PERFORMANCE is continually selected for.

If this is done properly, it can help maintain health without causing an increase in phenotype...as we stick to the standard guidelines.

Today people either "love or hate" standards. We have to remember, standards are just a tool to help maintain limitations of the breed...and that is how they should be used...as a method to "cull" undesired traits. And, the MOST IMPORTANT trait for the Swinford should remain the ability to work as a family companion guardian that is a stable minded, effective man stopper.