Our Breeding Philosophy
Genetic Diversity . Health Above All . Companions First . Sound Temperaments . Correct Structure . Exquisite Movement
As stewards of the breed, we take our role in producing healthy Borzoi and maintaining Genetic Diversity very seriously. We have a vision to the future that involves "Thinking Outside The Box" or our yard so to speak. This requires innovation, analysis and strategic planning.
At Sedona Borzoi we don't breed Borzoi with pedigrees that are tightly related. We choose Borzoi with complimentary phenotypes. We have chosen this philosophy in support of our committment to producing healthy Borzoi and to avoid inbreeding depression. We take pride in searching for the absolute best match to improve upon our quality foundation.
This is called an Assortative Mating scheme which involves phenotypic breeding practices. We continually assess the health, conformation and temperament of the Borzoi we produce and are working to move our lines forward through innovation and collaboration.
While close linebreeding can solidify positive attributes, it can also lock in negative physical traits, health issues and may create smaller specimens over time as well as perpetuating infertility. Geneticists have proven that tight inbreeding produces dogs with underlying health, longevity and fertility challenges that do not show up with testing offered by OFA. "Recent studies have demonstrated that for every 10% increase in COI, there is a 7% decrease in litter size and median life span" Koharik Arman, The Canadian Veterinary Journal.
While health testing is important, the 4 tests recommended by OFA are only a small part of a dog's overall genetic health makeup. Breeders may share on their websites that their Borzoi are OFA clear with these 4 tests. What you won't know is how closely linebred they may be which equals inbreeding. If this is so, their dogs may show the affects of Inbreeding Depression.
If you would like to learn more about "Inbreeding Depression" that occurs within lines that are closely linebred or inbred, please visit this link: Breeding Schemes. Be sure to ask any breeder you are considering purchasing a puppy from what the COI % is for the puppy's parents as well as the puppy's litter. This number is called the "Inbreeding Coefficient". The Inbreeding Coefficient will let you know how tightly the puppy's parents have been bred and whether you need to be concerned about the problems associated with Inbreeding Depression. "It is a proven fact that longevity, reproductive success, and the immune system are all negatively affected by even "moderate" degrees of inbreeding." Quote from J. Jeffrey Bragg's article: Canine Population Genetics in Practice: Principles for the Breeder.
Below are examples of Inbreeding Coefficient percentages (COI %) from closely bred litters:
29.7%
Mother/Son – Father/Daughter
Brother/Sister Breedings
12.50%
Half Brother/Sister
Grandparent/Grandpup
Double First Cousin Breedings
Whether you get a Borzoi puppy from Sedona Borzoi or another breeder, we want you to make an informed choice. Below is a link to a great pedigree site that has the COI % for dogs from most Borzoi kennels. It is alphabetical and you can just click on the letter of the Borzoi kennel you are researching at the top of the page. Next, scoll the left column to find dogs from the kennel you are interested in. Then, simply click the Bio page link on a dog from the desired kennel and you will find a page that will have the COI% for that dog. You can get an idea of a Kennel's breeding practices and COI percents by reviewing the Bio pages of their dogs.
Pedigree Website - Inbreeding Coefficients by Kennel.
Sedona Borzoi litters over the years have been planned with Inbreeding Coefficients below 10% to insure the health and fertility of our precious Borzoi babies. We have maintained excellent fertility rates, averaging 10 puppies per litter. Our breeding program is built upon quality, well matched phenotypic combinations to maintain Genetic Diversity.
Our future plans at Sedona Borzoi will be to continue blending complimentary Borzoi types which will maintain our quality attributes and help us to improve where needed while still preserving our diverse gene pool. We are committed to maintaining strong health, excellent temperaments, correct structure and exquisite movement.
By breeding within the strategy described above, we have eliminated the negative effects of Inbreeding Depression from our breeding program, insuring the health, quality and fertility of Sedona Borzoi for years to come.