Breeding Philosophy is an incredibly broad topic that only scratches the surface of many other important topics. Pretty much this entire website could be considered an extension of this topic so bear with me as I try to consolidate my thoughts into a single, bite-sized article...

At its core, a breeding philosophy is the collection of principles that guides every decision a breeder makes. Every breeder has a breeding philosophy (whether they've written it down or not). These principles guide the decisions they make from selecting breeding pairs and placing puppies to how they care for their personal dogs and how they interact with others involved with their breed.

If responsibly nurtured, a breeding philosophy is shaped by research, conversations, successes, mistakes and years of experience. As breeders learn and grow, their philosophy naturally evolves alongside them.

At this stage in my journey, these four principles consistently shape the way I approach breeding and the kind of breeder I hope to be: Preservation, Transparency, Advancement and Support.

Preservation

You’ll hear me say this multiple times throughout the website: You cannot preserve what you don’t understand. You cannot have preservation without research and a genuine appreciation for the countless details that make the Tornjak what it is. So what is it that I aim to preserve?

I aim to preserve guardian instincts.

I want the dogs in my breeding program to have a natural instinct to guard what is entrusted to them, whether that's livestock, property or their family. They should possess low prey drive, situational awareness, independent thinking and the willingness to stand their ground if necessary. This is not something dogs can be taught. It is not an obedience command. This behavior should be innate.

I aim to preserve functional structure.

I want the dogs in my breeding program to be built correctly in terms of bone, muscle and skin structure. They should have genetics that contribute to lifelong comfortable and efficient movement.

I aim to preserve breed type and heritage.

Breed type is the complete package that makes a Tornjak instantly recognizable as a Tornjak. Understanding the breed's history helps explain what those defining characteristics are and why they matter. Simply put, my dogs should look and act like dogs that generations of shepherds would recognize.

Transparency

Throughout this website you will see me use the word “transparency”. Repetitively. That’s intentional because transparency is one of my core values. I want you to feel like you know me and my dogs like old friends.

I provide transparency with all health tests and pedigrees.

For all of my dogs, this information is public. PUBLIC. You, your neighbor, your old college roommate - anyone can look it up. I believe breeds prosper when the community has access to information. When breeders support one another by contributing accurate, accessible data it allows the breed to grow.

I provide transparency with my puppy upbringing process.

Every puppy matures differently so throughout the breeding process, I’m in constant contact sending a gazillion pupdates. You’ll probably see my home in all states of disarray for the benefit of watching your puppy grow. I am upfront about their personalities and quirks so you have a realistic picture of the companion you're bringing home.

I uphold transparency by having honest communication.

I’m open about my experiences with the breed and always willing to share my opinions on Tornjak-related topics, even when the answer is not what someone expected. Sometimes transparency means recommending a different puppy, a different breeder or even a different breed altogether.

Advancement

My wish is that the next generation of Tornjaks are just as healthy (if not more) and wonderful as our current dogs. Advancement is a collaborative effort. I must play my role as well as work with others in the dog community and the greater public. I contribute towards breed advancement by participating in the following:

Responsible breeding

This is an accumulation of health testing, breeding to the standard, mating pair selection, healthy whelping and puppy socialization practices as well as commitment to lifetime learning and support.

Conformation & Performance

While I don’t believe all titles define a great dog, participation in dog shows and dog sports is essential for breed advancement. Beyond allowing people to discover the breed, dog events are a great hub for learning and fostering engagement. Earning titles and recognition with organizations like AKC opens the door to many breed related resources.

Breed research

Currently, Od Dinare plays an active role in the Project Wisdom, an international effort to preserve and understand the Tornjak breed at a genetic level. My hope is that Od Dinare and our dogs will continue to participate in other research opportunities in the future. More on Project Wisdom here.

Support

For me, support means being an advocate for Tornjaks. It means advocating for every dog I produce, being available to my puppy families long after they leave my home and contributing to the broader Tornjak community whenever I can. It means being present, acting with best intentions, sharing what I've learned and always being willing to learn from others.

I support individual dog development.

I view every dog in my program as a unique individual and l advocate for them as such. Every puppy, adult and senior has different needs and different challenges to overcome. By taking the time to understand their personalities and quirks, I provide the appropriate support they need to thrive.

I support my puppy families.

I will remain a resource for my puppy families throughout the life of their dog (and beyond), offering guidance, answering questions and sharing knowledge as they navigate life with their Tornjak.

I support the Tornjak community

I believe a breed thrives when its community thrives so I put much effort into supporting the Tornjak community. For newbies, I am here to answer questions. For lifelong breeders, I am here to listen. I highly value all the relationships I’ve built with Tornjak folks around the world. By sharing knowledge, experiences, research and ideas, we can continue working together toward a strong future for Tornjaks.

If I were to add one bonus item, it would be ‘Growth’. I am new and I still have much growth to do. I am not trying to portray myself as having a lifetime of experience breeding Tornjaks. I don’t. But I have spent my professional career working with animals. I spent 3 years getting a head start on learning about the breed before purchasing my first Tornjak and I’ve dived head over heels into learning everything I can about them since bringing one home. I’ve established a network of great mentors and I think my personality and lifestyle is fit for the task. It’s my invested time, personal adoration for the breed and commitment to the above principles that I think makes my kennel, Od Dinare, special and I hope you think so too.

- Karina Rogers