There are over 400 officially recognized dog breeds worldwide. Many have historical origins that date back hundreds, even thousands of years. Sadly, over the centuries, countless of these beautiful breeds have become extinct, and many of today’s breeds exist in very small numbers. In any other species, they would be considered endangered.

“Given the shrinking number of purebred dogs in our society and the threats to the continuance of deliberate, thoughtful dog breeding, it is not a stretch for us to redefine ourselves, not simply as dog breeders but as breed preservationists. It is a new and interesting suit of clothes that we begin to try on for size and comfort as we contemplate our role as dog breeders. Stretching beyond a hobby that is incomprehensible to many (whether it is conformation showing, bird hunting, stock work, or sledding) and expanding it into a role involving a more significant contribution to society as a whole and an effort to conserve that which is being lost.”

Peri Norman, caninechronicle.com

Beyond a few popular breeds, like the Labrador Retriever and the Golden Retriever, most register only small numbers of litters with their National Kennel Clubs each year, resulting in the need for reputable purebred dog breeders to continue to preserve these amazing animals. Each breed of dog has a standard, which every breeder should study, understand and adhere to if they are to preserve their breed and the dogs produced can efficiently perform the functions they were meant to perform. If you want to be a Preservation Breeder, your focus must be on maintaining type, health, and temperament through innovative population management. By pooling knowledge, experience, and pedigrees, IW Pedigree DataBase, we can take advantage of genetic diversity from different sources both inside and outside of Canada.

Breeding techniques and management have evolved over the last few decades. It is common to import frozen semen for artificial insemination, in order to introduce new blood to a breeder’s line, or to freeze your own dog’s semen for use in future generations. With the most genetic profile information possible, these techniques can help maintain quality and diversity for breed preservation.