Breeder’s Codex – 12 Rules
Passing on principles written seven decades ago – 12 golden rules that form the breeder’s codex
These are 12 rules written seven decades ago. Will Judy, an American cynologist and publisher of Dog World magazine, published “Principles of Dog Breeding” in 1957 – a book that became the foundation of responsible dog breeding worldwide.
Goran Karanović, International Canine Judge and owner of the Airedale Terrier and Lagotto Romagnolo kennel, presents them today – not as museum exhibits, but as living principles that he strives to apply in his own kennel.
„Dog shows are competition, sport. Breeding is art!“
– Goran Karanović
Because breeding is not a matter of fashion. Breeding is responsibility.
📜 12 rules – through today’s lens
1. Study the female as much as the male
Too many breeders fall in love with a champion male, his title, his photo – and forget that the female is the one who carries the litter, nurses the puppies, and passes on most of the early developmental environment.
Health, character, body structure and whelping abilities of the female are equally – if not more – important than the quality of the male. Breeding is not a one-way street.
Goran says: “When choosing a female for breeding, I look at her mother, her sisters, her previous litters. Because the female is not just a ‘carrier’ – she is the foundation of the future generation.”
That is why a serious breeder pays equal attention to both parents, because only then can they expect quality offspring.
2. Study grandparents more than parents
Parents are important, but the generation before them often reveals the true picture. Genes have a way of skipping generations – what is not visible in parents can appear in grandchildren.
That is why a true breeder looks not only at parents, but also at grandparents, great-grandparents, even great-great-grandparents. A pedigree is not decoration – it is a map of hidden potential.
Modern breeders use multi-generational data to make the best possible breeding decisions. Today, with the availability of genetic tests and digital pedigree databases, this is easier than ever – but it still requires effort and dedication.
3. Don’t pay attention to superstitions in breeding
“Females must be bred for health”, “males must be bred as early as possible”, “the bigger the dog the better”, “the thirteenth day of bleeding” – every breeder has heard at least one of these claims.
Goran repeats: rely on science, not stories. Genetics, veterinary medicine and verified data are your guide – not anecdotes from the kennel across the street.
Today, more than ever, we have tools to make decisions based on facts. Genetic tests, ultrasound, hormonal analysis – all of these were unavailable to breeders 70 years ago. Use them.
4. Interpret pedigrees based on breeding facts and dominance, not on names and titles
Big names on a pedigree look great on paper. But the real question is: what did that dog produce?
How many descendants left a quality mark? Are his good traits consistently passed on? A show title is one piece of data – but breeding facts are ten times more valuable.
A breeder who knows how to read a pedigree looks not only at names, but at the traces that bloodlines have left behind.
5. Keep complete breeding records and draw conclusions from them
Without records – there is no progress. Goran emphasizes that every litter, every disease, every trait must be recorded.
Only when you have data from multiple generations can you see patterns: which bloodlines bring stability, and which bring risks. Record keeping is not bureaucracy – it is a tool for better decisions.
Today, maintaining detailed records is the foundation of any serious breeding program. In the digital age, it is easier than ever – but still requires consistency.
6. Remove rejects, weaklings and deformed individuals soon after birth
This point sounds harsh – but Judy in 1957 meant responsibility to the breed and future owners. Puppies with serious deformities or hereditary defects should not live in pain nor pass on their genes.
At the time this was written, it meant euthanasia, which was considered humane. Today, thanks to advances in veterinary medicine and ethical sensibility, we have alternatives.
Goran Karanović appeals: individuals that are not suitable for breeding – whether for health reasons or non-conformity to standard – do not have to be euthanized. They can be placed in homes with a strict obligation not to be used for further reproduction (achieved through adoption contracts and sterilization).
Of course, the breeder has a duty to fully inform the future owner about all facts regarding such a dog – its traits, shortcomings and needs.
In this way, the dog gets a chance for a happy life, while the breeder remains consistent with the principle of responsibility towards the life they created.
7. Do not breed, sell or give away shy or overly nervous dogs
Temperament is hereditary. A shy dog will not become brave with age – its puppies will carry the same burden of fear.
Judy was unwavering on this point: nervousness is not a trait, it is a fault. And the breeder has a duty not to pass it on, no matter how good the dog looks.
However – a dog with pronounced shyness or excessive nervousness, although not suitable for breeding, has an alternative. As we do in our kennel of Airedale Terriers and Lagotto Romagnolos.
Such a dog can be an excellent companion for an experienced owner who understands its needs. The breeder has an obligation to fully inform the future owner about the temperament of such an individual. No hiding, no embellishment – only complete transparency.
With the right owner, such a dog can live a happy and fulfilling life – but must never be used for breeding.
8. Judge a breeding dog by its offspring, even up to the third generation
One litter can be luck. Two can be coincidence. But three generations – that is proof.
A breeding dog’s true value is not measured by its own achievements, but by what it leaves behind. That is why patience is not a virtue – it is a necessity.
A breeder who wants to leave a mark must look beyond immediate success. Because true success is not measured in titles, but in generations of healthy, stable and happy dogs.
9. Value most highly the dog that the breeder showed themselves
A dog that the breeder personally took to shows, trained, groomed and prepared – that dog carries a special kind of trust.
Goran believes that a breeder who is willing to groom and show their own dogs demonstrates a commitment that cannot be bought. It is a sign of courage and faith in one’s own work.
There is nothing more beautiful than the moment when a breeder steps into the ring with a dog they raised, nurtured and prepared themselves. That is the moment when art becomes reality.
10. Give preference to breeding specimens with good temperament and strong nerves
Beauty fades, character remains. A dog can be perfect by standard, but if its nerves are weak – it is not for breeding.
Good temperament is not an option – it is an imperative. Because a dog that is stable, calm and reliable – that is the dog that builds trust in people and in future generations.
Goran says: “When I choose breeding dogs, temperament comes first. Because breeding is not just about creating beautiful dogs – breeding is about creating good dogs.”
11. Have the patience to try again and again, and don’t be discouraged by litters that disappoint
The breeding path is not straight. There will be litters that don’t meet expectations, pairs that don’t “click”, diseases that come out of nowhere.
Goran says: that is part of the art. A true breeder does not give up – they learn, adapt and try again.
Because perfection, like any work of art, is not born overnight. Every unsuccessful litter is a lesson. Every disappointing pairing is an opportunity to learn something new. Only those who persevere leave a mark.
12. Let your dream guide you to one day produce the perfect dog of your breed – and if someone else surpasses you, envy them, but also praise them
This is perhaps the most beautiful point of the entire codex.
Envy is part of human nature. But the second part is equally important: respect. When someone succeeds where you did not – acknowledge it, praise it, and most importantly – learn from them.
Because at the end of the day, we all work for the same goal: better dogs, healthier breeds, happier owners.
„Written based on the work of Will Judy, ‘Principles of Dog Breeding’ (1957.)“
🐕 What does this mean for Ideal Dale?
The two breeds we raise in our kennel – the Airedale Terrier – king of all terriers, and the Lagotto Romagnolo – the curly forest pearl – demand exactly this approach.
The Airedale Terrier, as the largest among terriers, requires determination, courage and a steady hand. The Lagotto Romagnolo, as a truffle-hunting dog, requires gentleness, patience and an exceptional nose. Both breeds demand responsibility.
And that is why, when choosing a breeder, ask them: “Do you know Will Judy’s Breeder’s Codex?” If the answer is puzzled – you know you’re in the wrong place.
🐕 Because a true breeder does not breed dogs just for profit – they breed a legacy.
🐕 Which part of the Breeder’s Codex is most important to you?
Share your thoughts in the comments – we’d love to hear your experiences!
Because – breeding is not a matter of fashion. Breeding is responsibility. 🐕❤️
🧪 How much of a breeder-artist are you?
Test yourself through 12 rules based on Will Judy’s principles
Answer 12 questions honestly. Each question has three options. At the end, discover your result and share it with friends!
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Ideal Dale – Dog breeding home and poultry farm
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