ABOUT LEOGEN
In a nutshell - the LEOGEN project is about introducing more genetic diversity into our breed.
But we don't want to just give you a 'nutshell' explanation.
These pages have been put together to help give you a clear and concise map as it were of every step along this journey. We will try to keep it simple and will include links to more in depth reading for those of you who are keen.
Our intent is for full transparency. This project is being carefully planned with appropriately qualified professional input and we aim to have the informed support of important international Kennel Clubs. Most importantly all steps of this project are based on sound science and will be implemented with careful thought, mindfulness and caution, and with a strong emphasis on the traditional experience of pedigree dog breeding.
Outcrossing is not a new idea.
Even our own Leonberger history tells us that after the devastation of the Second World War there was a sanctioned outcross intended to introduce diversity into the lines.
A top Leonberger named Arko vom Leonberg, was mated with a Newfoundland bitch and the resulting bitch puppy, Alma vom Rossbach, was then mated to her own half-brother – also sired by Arko – which resulted in a singleton bitch puppy, Dorle v. Rossbach, and she is behind almost half of today’s modern Leonbergers.
To our early pioneers who rebuilt the breed after the war this was the obvious thing to do. Historically there have been many such cases where other breeds have used this same approach to strengthen their breed. There are enough successful outcomes to indicate the concept has merit.
So – NO - outcrossing is not a new idea.
These pages have been put together to help give you a clear and concise map as it were of every step along this journey. We will try to keep it simple and will include links to more in depth reading for those of you who are keen.
Our intent is for full transparency. This project is being carefully planned with appropriately qualified professional input and we aim to have the informed support of important international Kennel Clubs. Most importantly all steps of this project are based on sound science and will be implemented with careful thought, mindfulness and caution, and with a strong emphasis on the traditional experience of pedigree dog breeding.
Outcrossing is not a new idea.
Even our own Leonberger history tells us that after the devastation of the Second World War there was a sanctioned outcross intended to introduce diversity into the lines.
A top Leonberger named Arko vom Leonberg, was mated with a Newfoundland bitch and the resulting bitch puppy, Alma vom Rossbach, was then mated to her own half-brother – also sired by Arko – which resulted in a singleton bitch puppy, Dorle v. Rossbach, and she is behind almost half of today’s modern Leonbergers.
To our early pioneers who rebuilt the breed after the war this was the obvious thing to do. Historically there have been many such cases where other breeds have used this same approach to strengthen their breed. There are enough successful outcomes to indicate the concept has merit.
So – NO - outcrossing is not a new idea.
