How to raise meat dogs? Selecting good breeding dogs is key

To succeed in dog breeding, you must select excellent breeding dogs. In general terms, a meat dog refers to an F1 or F2 crossbred dog produced by crossing a large purebred dog with a local dog, or a dog bred by crossing F1 and F2 generations back together. The selection of the purebred male dog is especially important. Currently, the purebred male dogs selected in China include the Tibetan Mastiff, Great Dane, Saint Bernard, and others. Among them, the F1 generation of the Tibetan Mastiff is active and fierce, not suitable for group raising; the F1 generation of the Great Dane has a low meat yield. The Saint Bernard, however, as a sire line for meat dog breeding, has the following advantages: fast growth rate, adult male dogs 75-100 kg, adult female dogs 55-75 kg, high litter size, gentle temperament, suitable for group raising, and obvious hybrid vigor (the above mainly cites the report on the modern breeding project of Saint Bernard meat dogs by the Shenyang Science and Technology Commission). Saying that the Saint Bernard is suitable as a breeding dog for meat dogs is not absolute; it also depends on local conditions and one's own circumstances. But to develop the meat dog industry, the path toward larger size is imperative. F1 and F2 crossbred dogs resemble purebred dogs, and a few people, motivated by profit, pass off crossbred dogs as purebred dogs to deceive buyers. The following description of the Saint Bernard will help readers identify purebred dogs: head large, skull wide, slightly arched, high cheekbones. Muzzle short, nose bridge straight, nostrils wide and open, black, ears medium-sized, set high, rounded triangular, close to the head. Eyes medium-sized, dark brown, moderately deep-set, lower eyelids not completely closed, with red and thick eyelid conjunctiva or third eyelid visible. Limbs muscular, strong and powerful, shoulder peak obvious, chest well arched, back broad, sloping gently to the hips, abdomen slightly tucked up. Has strong and straight front legs, rear leg joints moderate, feet wide, toes strong, moderately close together. Coat color in various shades of white and red, red with white or brownish yellow, etc., with different markings; markings on the nape and a white nose bridge are highly desirable. Even when selecting purebred Saint Bernards, one should follow the principle of purification and rejuvenation, selecting dogs with large individual size, good condition, and excellent parents as breeding dogs. Through such a series of selections, dog breeding can possibly succeed.