When almost everything is right - A breeding decision based on temperament

Choosing a dog for breeding is about so much more than health and appearance. Sometimes a journey that looks perfect ends with a difficult but responsible decision. This is the story of a dog whose pedigree and health were exactly what I had been searching for – but whose temperament led me to make a different choice, for the good of the breed.

"Sometimes the biggest disappointment is when everything is almost right."

Selecting a dog for breeding is not just a checklist of requirements on paper. It’s a whole picture where every part – health, temperament, structure, and bloodline – shapes what we want to pass on to the next generations.

We had been searching for a long time for a dog that would complement our lines. When this individual came along, everything seemed promising:
The pedigree and the parents’ health were exactly what I had been looking for:
The appearance would have complemented my own dogs’ strengths and corrected small weaknesses.

The journey home was filled with anticipation – this was what I had been searching for.

But everyday life revealed another side. The temperament was not what I wanted to pass on to future generations. There was enough aggression and insecurity for me to know in my heart: this dog would not be part of my breeding program.

It wasn’t an easy decision. I felt disappointment and frustration, but I also knew that as a breeder, my job is to look further than the next litter.

Breeding is not just about looks and good health results – it’s also about the invisible inheritance: nerve strength, stability, and reliability that get passed down from one generation to the next.

Not all choices take you where you first planned to go. But sometimes, the hardest decisions are the ones that protect the breed’s future.

What does this mean for a puppy owner?

Even though most puppies are never used for breeding, their temperament and behavior are just as important.Supporting a puppy's character starts from the very first days in a new home – and every moment, experience, and routine shapes the adult dog they will become.

That's why I give all my puppy owners the tools to start right: checklists, socialization tasks, and tracking sheets that help set up new routines with confidence. 

💛 Want the same tools for your puppy?
Download our free Puppy Starter Kit here: https://tueborboerboels.gumroad.com/ 

Includes:
Puppy Socialization Bingo
Vet Visit & Vaccination Tracker
Puppy Supply Checklist
First Year Development Milestones