A good match improves on the bitch — health results and temperament matter more than titles.
Choose a stud with the health screenings your breed requires — hips, elbows, eyes and relevant DNA tests — and check that the combination does not double up on the same risks. Two carriers of the same recessive condition should never be paired.
Look honestly at the bitch's strengths and weaknesses and pick a stud that improves rather than repeats her faults, in conformation, movement and above all temperament. A calm, sound temperament is one of the most heritable and important traits.
Avoid close matings that raise the coefficient of inbreeding, which reduces vitality and fertility over time. A wider gene pool generally means healthier, more robust puppies — check pedigrees and inbreeding figures before committing.
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