Breeding Principles

In addition to furthering the genetic diversity of the breed and gathering data, the breeders that have committed to this project have agreed on some further basic principles of sound dog breeding:

• The turnover of breeding generations is slow. The aim is that in the future the dogs will breed no earlier than at 3-4 years of age instead of the 1-2 years of age now prevalent. In the first generation this goal will probably not be reached: the British group will breed at 18-24 months of age so that the continuation of their genes can be assured. The breed is really that accident prone! Once the founding population has bred, the breeding age will be at least 3-4 years of age. The JRT has a high proportion of HC (hereditary cataract) that commonly is diagnosed not earlier than at 3-4 years of age. All the dogs will be examined by an ophthalmologist (eye specialist) also at 6 years of age even if the dog is no longer used for breeding.

• The breeders will not aid the reproduction process in any way. If the bitch won't allow herself to be bred, she will not be used for breeding, nor will a dog that doesn't mate unaided. Artificial insemination will only be used in special circumstances, for instance if a dog from another country is used.

• If a bitch doesn't let one particular dog mate with her, another dog will be tried. This is to enable some degree of natural selection in choosing a mate.

• No unneccessary assistance is given during the mating, birth and rearing of the puppies. This enables us to collect true data about the reproductive behaviour of our dogs and we're able to follow any changes in the population through the years. If there is a true reason to help, of course assistance is given to the bitch or puppies immediately. This principle definitely does not mean we leave anything untreated.

• If a bitch doesn't give birth naturally or doesn't take care of her puppies, she will not be bred from again

• Dogs that suffer from allergies or immune deficiencies will not be bred from

• If there are clearly unviable or very weak puppies born, the breeder can if he/she so chooses, help them to survive but if so, the puppies won't be used for breeding (they will be registered in the EJ register of the Finnish Kennel Club (the pet register))

• We collect all possible data on the matings, gestation period, births and the development of the puppies. The whole lives of all the project dogs and their offspring will be chronicled: illnesses, behaviour and length of life among others. The data will be made available for research and we'll be able to follow up long term, how the maximum genetic diversity and avoidance of inbreeding affects the health and temperament of the dogs.

• The goal is to breed healthy dogs that have the true temperament of the breed and are functionally built. We do not aim to develop the breed in any specific direction conformation wise but to maintain an unexaggerated breed type and a healthy conformation.