Fascinating stuff Princess. If only I could understand it all. I'm not sure if the theory is any different in afghan hounds (or any other species) except that the chances of getting what you want with a thoroughbred is far less than with afghan hounds. At least with them you get a litter of 8 to 12 and you can pick the best one or two. With a thoroughbred you just get the one. What are the chances of that one being the best of what might have been?
You just have to look at repeat matings in thoroughbreds to see the different results you can get.
All I know is that if you start off with a poor mare you would have to be extremely fortunate to get a good foal from a top stallion. Similarly if you use a poor stallion on a good mare you would have to be extremely fortunate to get a good foal.
If you have a good mare with excellent conformation and temperament and a good pedigree, then using a sire with excellent conformation and temperament and a good pedigree your chances of a good foal are significantly increased. If there are any conformation/temperament faults in the pedigrees you have to ensure you don't double up on any of those faults.
Nevertheless, having done all the research and taken all the precautions you can still consider yourself fortunate if getting a good foal.
You just have to look at repeat matings in thoroughbreds to see the different results you can get.
All I know is that if you start off with a poor mare you would have to be extremely fortunate to get a good foal from a top stallion. Similarly if you use a poor stallion on a good mare you would have to be extremely fortunate to get a good foal.
If you have a good mare with excellent conformation and temperament and a good pedigree, then using a sire with excellent conformation and temperament and a good pedigree your chances of a good foal are significantly increased. If there are any conformation/temperament faults in the pedigrees you have to ensure you don't double up on any of those faults.
Nevertheless, having done all the research and taken all the precautions you can still consider yourself fortunate if getting a good foal.
