[wonderwooly]

Hi I have a small flock of crossed downs. I am moving a bit more in the direction
of the Dorset down, I think I would like to go for a pure bred flock and have
come across - line breeding. I was wondering if anyone could offer some wisdom
or point me in the right direction to work out a plan for getting there.

the concept seems baffling to read but actually seems to make quite clear and
logical sense when looking at genetics in nature.

open and interested looking forward to replies

[Porterlauren]

Line breeding is a method of attempting to lock in the good traits (and cancel out the bad) within a 'line' (i.e a descending family group) of animals, by using only related blood, and occasionally out crossing in order to freshen up the genetic pool a little.

When it goes right it's line breeding, when it goes wrong it's in breeding.

[Tim W]

http://www.signetfbc.co.uk/sheepbreeder/index.aspx?section=5&item=287

[Marches Farmer]

Basic rule is don't breed from anything that isn't perfect.  You have perfect sheep?  Wow!

[shep53]

Most pedigree breeders will line breed in some form , while I am not pedigree now , 9 of my 10 hill rams all have a certain ram in their genes as do most of the females , this is to try for uniformity of type .     I hope you have deep pockets if you want to line breed pedigrees .  First forget about your existing sheep it will take ages to breed up , join the DORSET DOWN association  and read every pedigree book and sale catalogue you can find, speak to every breeder you can and go to sales/flock visits then eventually decide which male or female line you really like .   TRY then to buy as many females with the particular ram or ewe in their pedigree and a ram with the same as you can , hopefully the weak genes will have been bred out