Breeding Regulations

1.    Breeder Requirements

1.1.  All breeders must abide by the rules set forth in the most current revisions of the Breeder’s Code of Ethics, and these Breeding Regulations. The TDR shall make all aforementioned documents readily available on the TDR website, as well as by request.

1.2.  If a breeder finds the need to exercise a condition (identified herein as underneath after an “UNLESS” clause) as specified within these regulations, a petition must be made to the TDR’s Committee of Breeders (CoB) prior to breeding. Failure to do so will result in a litter that may not be registered.

1.3.  All breeders must report all health conditions on their dogs to the TDR Committee of Breeders (CoB), as stipulated within the Breeder’s Code of Ethics. This includes puppies who may not have survived whelping, or ones who perished shortly thereafter. A Health Issues Report form is available on the TDR website for facility, or an email can be sent directly to [email protected].

2.    Breeding Requirements

2.1.  General Requirements

2.1.1.   All breeding dogs must have a genetic profile on file. This is currently executed through either NeoGen’s Geneseek service, or Embark Veterinary’s services.

2.1.2.   All Tamaskan Dogs who are petitioning to join the TDR Breeding Program must conform to the Tamaskan Dog Breed Standard as recognized by the TDR, UNLESS:

• The dog presents a disqualifying fault in coat color, whereupon the candidate must not be bred to another dog who exhibits the same disqualifying color.

2.1.3.   All breeding dogs must be fully health tested as stipulated in the sections describing health tests, below, prior to mating[1], UNLESS:

• The incomplete health requirement is the genetic parentage test (e.g., Geneseek, Embark, etc.). Swabs for genetic markers and parentage must be submitted prior puppies being ten (10) days of age. Registrations will not be issued until these results are completed and submitted.

2.1.4.   An exact breeding combination of the same sire and the same dam may only be repeated once, UNLESS:

• The total number of puppies from all previous litters of this combination is fewer than twelve (12); or
• The total number of active breeding puppies from previous breedings of this combination is fewer than two (2), wherein “active breeding puppies” is defined as individuals who have produced at least one litter.

2.1.5.   A breeding combination may not exceed a 25-generation paper (pedigree) coefficient of inbreeding (COI) of 10.0%. Help with estimating a paper COI is available by contacting the TDR Committee of Breeders (CoB). If a desired pairing will yield a higher COI, please contact the TDR Committee of Breeders prior to breeding.

2.1.6.   The sum of content of a pairing may not exceed forty (40) percent, UNLESS:

• The pairing was planned before January 1, 2022, and the Committee of Breeders is notified, via email, before January 1, 2022. These plans will be grandfathered into the breeding program and incur no penalties against the breeder; or
• After January 1, 2022, the pairing is petitioned to the Committee of Breeders, in writing, for case-by-case consideration.

2.2.  Epilepsy

Effective January 2021, the following clauses pertaining to the breeding of dogs affected by, or related to dogs affected by epilepsy were instituted:

2.2.1.   Dogs affected by epilepsy shall not be bred. If a dog has bred prior to diagnosis, he/she shall be immediately retired.

2.2.2.   Combinations producing offspring affected by epilepsy shall not be repeated.

2.2.3.   Dogs who produce epilepsy with more than one partner shall immediately be retired.

2.2.4.   Offspring of dogs affected by epilepsy will not be eligible to breed. If one is currently breeding, he/she shall be immediately retired.

2.2.5.   Siblings and half-siblings of dogs affected by epilepsy shall not breed until a minimum of three (3) years of age. At that time, any pairings will need to be reviewed and approved by the Committee of Breeders prior to mating. NO EXCEPTIONS WILL BE ALLOWED

2.2.6.   Siblings and half-siblings of dogs affected by epilepsy may be retired by the Committee of Breeders upon review.

2.2.7.   Grand-offspring of dogs affected by epilepsy born prior to January 20, 2021 may be issued breeding rights after three years of age, upon review.

2.2.8.   Effective January 2021, offspring of a dog who is affected by epilepsy at the time of breeding will not be registered.

2.3.  Bitches

2.3.1.   A breeding bitch must be at least twenty-four (24) months of age at the time of mating.

2.3.2.   A breeding bitch must be retired the day after she turns eight (8) years of age, UNLESS:

• The breeding bitch is examined and cleared by a reproductive vet to be physically capable of supporting another pregnancy, whelping, and litter.

2.3.3.   A breeding bitch must whelp her first litter prior to turning six (6) years of age, UNLESS:

• The breeding bitch is examined and cleared by a reproductive vet to be capable of supporting her first pregnancy, whelping, and litter.

2.3.4.   A breeding bitch may whelp a maximum of four (4) total litters during her career.

2.3.5.   A breeding bitch may not be bred more than once within a span of twelve (12) months, UNLESS:

• The breeding bitch is examined by a reproductive vet to be cleared to have a second litter within a shorter time frame.

2.3.6.   A breeding bitch must be retired after two Cesarean sections (C-sections).

2.4.  Studs

2.4.1.   A stud dog must be at least twenty-four (24) months of age at the time of mating.

2.4.2.   A stud dog must have their sperm tested for viability after the day of their eighth (8^th) birthday.

2.4.3.   A Tamaskan Dog stud shall no longer be used once the surviving puppy count from the sum of his litters reaches thirty-six (36) puppies, which averages as four (4) to six (6) litters, during his lifetime, within the Tamaskan Dog Register, UNLESS:

• The number of active breeding puppies from his litters is fewer than 4 (four), wherein “active breeding puppies” is defined as individuals who have produced at least one litter;
• His bloodline is not represented in a sub-population (e.g., a different continent), whereupon he shall be permitted to sire an additional two (2) litters for the given sub-population.

2.4.4.   An Outcross (Foundation Dog) stud shall no longer be used once the surviving puppy count from the sum of his litters reaches twenty-four (24) puppies, which averages as three (3) to four (4) litters, during his lifetime, within the Tamaskan Dog Register, UNLESS:

• The number of active breeding puppies from his litters is fewer than four (4), wherein “active breeding puppies” is defined as individuals who have produced at least one litter;
• His bloodline is not represented in a sub-population (e.g., a different continent), whereupon he shall be permitted to sire one (1) additional litter for the given sub-population.

2.4.5.   A stud dog suffering from Cryptorchidism may not be bred.

3.    Health Requirements

3.1.  Basic Requirements

Breeding dogs must minimally have “Basic” requirements completed to be accepted into the TDR Breeding Program, as discussed within this section.

3.1.1.   Hips and Elbows – A TDR breeding dog (male and female) must have passing hip and elbow scores in the form of an official certificate. Preliminary scores for dogs tested after January 1, 2020 are not accepted. The following scores from their respective organizations are considered acceptable for the TDR Breeding Program, with the organization’s/scheme’s specific minimum testing ages for non-preliminary scores noted in months:

Please note that the table above is not exclusionary. Using an organization that is not in the list above does not preclude the acceptance of the score.

Note: Elbow requirements were effective as of April 2015. Dogs approved prior to April 2015 do not require elbow scores to continue to breed.

3.1.2.   Eyes – Effective January 1, 2020, a TDR breeding dog (male or female) must have a passing eye exam that is current within twelve (12) months of each breeding, as conducted by a licensed veterinary ophthalmologist. Breeders with access to the following services need to present a certificate of a passing score, as described in the table below:

Breeders in areas without access to any of the above services will still need a screening from a licensed veterinary ophthalmologist. A document must be provided that states the following information:

• Name of the licensed veterinary ophthalmologist
• Signature of the licensed veterinary ophthalmologist
• Facility at which the examination occurred (letterhead is preferred)
• Name of the dog’s owner
• Registered name of the dog
• TDR registration number of the dog, or “Outcross Candidate” if applicable
• Any other registration numbers of the dog
• Microchip number of the dog
• The result of the exam (Normal/Abnormal), including any notes

Note: Prior to January 1, 2020, a passing eye exam was only required once within the breeding career of the dog, starting in 2015.

3.1.2.1.   Effective January 1, 2022, all breeding candidates must also undergo a gonioscopy. Existing approved breeding dogs are encouraged to also have a gonioscopy done. Note that gonioscopies are only required once.

3.1.2.2.   A dog who is diagnosed with goniodysgenesis will need to be explicitly cleared for breeding on a case-by-case basis. If accepted, an affected dog can only be bred to a clear dog.

3.1.3.   Degenerative Myelopathy (DM) – A TDR breeding dog (male or female) must have an official certificate showing the dog’s DM result, UNLESS the dog is “Clear by Parentage.”

3.1.3.1   A dog who is a DM “Carrier” may not be bred to another DM “Carrier.”

3.1.4.   Cardiac Auscultation – Effective January 1, 2020, all dogs born after January 1, 2019 must complete the TDR Cardiac Auscultation Form, as completed by a veterinary general practitioner (i.e., a specialist is not necessary), after the dog is at least twelve (12) months of age. If an issue or concern is detected during the exam, please contact the Committee of Breeders. In general, further follow-up with an appropriate specialist will be required.

3.1.5.   DNA Testing – Effective January 1, 2022, all newly approved breeding candidates must submit a comprehensive DNA health panel in addition to genetic proof of parentage. Examples of health profiling services include, but are not limited to, Embark, MyDogDNA, Orivet, etc.

3.2.  Stud-Only Requirements

3.2.1.   Certificate of Entirety – A TDR stud dog must be examined after the age of twelve (12) months by a licensed veterinarian to ensure that he has two fully descended, normal testicles within the scrotum. The veterinarian must complete the TDR Certificate of Entirety form, or provide a separate statement that minimally contains:

• Name of the licensed veterinarian
• Signature of the licensed veterinarian
• Stamp of the licensed veterinarian/facility
• The facility at which the examination occurred (letterhead is preferred)
• Name of the dog’s owner
• Registered name of the dog
• TDR registration number of the dog, or “Outcross Candidate” if applicable
• Any other registration numbers of the dog
• A statement of the entirety of the dog

3.3.  G1 Tamaskan Dog Requirements

3.3.1.   A G1 Tamaskan must complete the following:

• TDR Conformation Evaluation, as executed and completed by a reasonably versed third-party evaluator, after the dog is at least twelve (12) months of age.
• TDR Temperament Evaluation, as executed and completed by a reasonably versed third-party evaluator, after the dog is at least eighteen (18) months of age.

3.4.  Outcross-Only Requirements

3.4.1.   An outcross (“foundation”) dog must be presented to the TDR’s Committee of Breeders (CoB) using the TDR Outcross Proposal Form.

3.4.2.   Outcross Candidates must complete a temperament evaluation.

3.4.3.   Outcross Candidates must complete a cardiac assessment.

3.4.4.   Outcross Candidates must have a gonioscopy in addition to the regular eye exam.

3.4.5.   In addition to the “Basic” tests listed above, an Outcross Candidate may be asked to complete further tests, depending on breed:

3.4.5.1.   German Shepherd Dogs (GSD), and dogs with GSD heritage:

• A DNA test that detects for:
  • MDR1 Resistance
  • Canine Pituitary Dwarfism
• A blood test that covers:
  • T4 (thyroid) levels

   Dogs with GSD heritage include, but may not be limited to:

• Czechoslovakian Vlcak
• Saarloos Wolfdog
• White Swiss Shepherd

3.4.5.2.   Nordic Breeds

• A DNA test that detects for:
  • Progressive Polyneuropathy (AMPN, Alaskan Malamutes only)
  • Canine Pituitary Dwarfism
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy
  • Alaskan Husky Encephalopathy (AHE, Alaskan Huskies only)

   Nordic breedsrequiring these tests include, but may not be limited to:

• Alaskan Husky
• Alaskan Malamute
• Samoyed

3.4.5.3.   Collies, and dogs with Collie heritage:

• A DNA test that detects for:
  • CEA (Collie Eye Anomaly)

   Dogs with Collie heritage include, but may not be limited to:

• Marxdorfer Wolfdog

Please note that the breed listing above is not comprehensive, as the Tamaskan Dog breed continues to evolve and utilize new outcross breeds. Thus, be aware that not seeing a proposed outcross breed listed does not mean no additional tests are required, nor does it mean that a proposed breed will not be accepted.

3.4.6.   Any proposed outcross with verified wolfdog heritage within five (5) generations must provide Embark test results that document the percentage of inherited wolf content. Proposed dogs with greater than thirty (30) percent content will not be accepted. Purebred (FCI pedigree) Saarloos Wolfdog & Czechoslovakian Vlcak are exempt from this.

3.4.7.   Any proposed outcross should have a minimum five (5) generation paper pedigree available. If a proposed dog does not have a traceable five-generation pedigree, then minimally:

• The dog must have a genetic breed breakdown on file (e.g., Embark);
• The dog may not be bred prior to being three (3) years of age;
• The dog must be paired with a resulting genetic coefficient of inbreeding (COI) of at most 5.0%, inclusive;
• The dog shall only be allowed a maximum of two (2) litters, wherein the second litter may not be within twelve (12) months of the first, such that the puppies of the first litter may be evaluated.

3.5.  Extra-Registry Tamaskan Dogs

3.5.1.   Tamaskan Dogs who are registered with a different major registry will be allowed to breed within the TDR breeding program, provided that the dog’s original registration and proof of parentage are submitted in addition to the candidate’s health testing.

3.5.2.   Tamaskan Dogs who are not registered with a major registry, and who cannot provide proof of parentage or parents’ health testing may be allowed to breed within the TDR. If approved, they would also be required to comply with the following restrictions:

• The dog must have a genetic health panel and breed breakdown on file;
• The dog may not be bred prior to being three (3) years of age;
• The dog must be paired with a resulting genetic coefficient of inbreeding (COI) of at most 5.0%, inclusive;
• The dog shall only be allowed a maximum of two (2) litters; and
• The dog must wait a minimum of twelve (12) months between litters, and receive explicit approval for the second litter.

For more details regarding extra-registry breeding dogs, please refer to the TDR’s Dog and Litter Registration Guidelines.