Many have wondered why we would cross black into our red breeding program when the end result of a black bred to a red will most certainly be at least 50% black pups and a high-risk (in non-red carrying blacks) of mainly apricots in remaining pups. The answer is two-fold: 1) reds cannot achieve the quality in structure that is found in most other poodle colors without doing so; and 2) diversity is necessary to maintain good health.

To expand on these answers, blacks were one of the original colors bred in Standard Poodles and, as such, conformational-soundness can be found in large numbers within that color group. Not the case in reds. To date, there are only 5 apricot/red AKC conformation champions. Most reds have fine coats, flat feet, long bodies, low tail sets, etc. which cause them to suffer in the show ring (and to a lesser degree, in the field and in water).

While structure is a primary reason we cross black into our red program, health is our greatest concern. There is still a relatively small pool of red poodles in America today. Dr. John Armstrong spent his life researching, then educating, breeders on the importance of canine diversity (Canine Diversity Project). His recommendation is that breeders should never buy or breed a dog with a 10-generation co-efficiency of inbreeding greater than 10%. We subscribe to his belief, for the health and longevity of our own dogs and for the health and longevity of the Standard Poodle breed.

That said, the only way we can improve reds is to expand the pool of dogs used. Blacks are the only color we would use in our red program as silvers, blues, and whites would most likely result in fading coats and browns would likely produce liver noses. The availability of DNA coat color tests contributes greatly to proper mate selection to develop and maintain the desired colors in poodles (and other breeds for that matter).

While we love the vibrant, and somewhat rare red color, we feel a true obligation to improve the breed wherever possible. We cannot morally just breed for the buck. As the red population continues to grow, the likelihood of producing more reds (as opposed to apricots) in a black breeding will also increase. The more breeders cross quality blacks into their lines, the pool of available blacks with red in their lines will also increase. Since red is a recessive color, both parent dogs require red in their lines to produce true red. That said, if more breeders were willing to sacrifice dollars to work toward a common goal of breeding a red poodle with the qualities sought by the breed's creators, we would get there a lot quicker. We are doing our part.

| HOME |Top of Page | © 2009 Harmony Mountain Hunting Pudels.  Web Design by Lori Horst•(623) 434-4769•pudelpassion@gmail.com