Breeding Strategy – Kennel Tercinta

Flatcoated Retrievers – with health, function and ethics at the core

1. Overall Breeding Goal

Kennel Tercinta aims to breed healthy, functional and willing-to-work Flatcoated Retrievers with stable temperaments, robust health and a classic, moderate breed type.

Our breeding programme is knowledge-based and long-term, and is founded on the ethical breeding principles of the Norwegian Kennel Club (NKK) and the breeding guidelines of the Norwegian Retriever Club (NRK).

2. Genetic Strategy

2.1 Coefficient of Inbreeding (COI)

Our aim is to keep the coefficient of inbreeding (COI) as low as reasonably possible in all Tercinta breeding combinations.

2.2 Maintaining a Broad Genetic Base

To preserve genetic diversity within the breed, Kennel Tercinta follows:

– the Norwegian Kennel Club's principles regarding the avoidance of overuse of individual breeding animals
– the Norwegian Retriever Club's recommendations for balanced use of stud dogs and breeding bitches

At Tercinta, this includes:

  • actively avoiding the use of stud dogs that have produced more offspring than recommended by the Norwegian Retriever Club

  • giving preference to stud dogs whose genetic material is not already widely represented within the breed

  • considering older stud dogs with well-documented health histories

  • incorporating international bloodlines through imported dogs and frozen semen

As a general principle, a stud dog should not produce more offspring than the equivalent of 5% of the number of dogs of the breed registered in Norway during the preceding five years.

2.3 Evaluation of Family History

We assess the wider pedigree and family line, not only the sire and dam.

Health, temperament and other relevant information from siblings, offspring and close relatives are given considerable weight when evaluating potential breeding animals. This is consistent with the Norwegian Kennel Club's principles of assessing breeding animals as comprehensively as possible.

3. Health – A High Priority

In accordance with recommendations within the retriever community in Norway and internationally, Kennel Tercinta gives particular priority to:

  • bloodlines with documented longevity (≥ 9 years)

  • dogs and bloodlines without a history of early-onset cancer (before 7 years of age)

  • health information covering several generations

  • close follow-up of offspring and siblings

Cancer is evaluated at family and bloodline level rather than solely at the level of the individual dog.

3.1 Hip and Elbow Dysplasia (HD/ED)

In accordance with the requirements of the Norwegian Retriever Club:

  • breeding dogs must have an HD grade of A or B

  • combinations showing an increased incidence of HD/ED among siblings or close relatives are avoided

In addition to the requirements of the Norwegian Retriever Club, Tercinta breeding bitches must:

  • be free from patellar luxation

  • have a known genetic status for cerebellar ataxia

3.2 Eyes

Kennel Tercinta follows the Norwegian Retriever Club's requirements for eye examinations:

  • an eye examination must be performed within 12 months prior to mating

  • gonioscopy is required

3.3 Cerebellar Ataxia

Both dogs in a planned breeding combination must have a known genetic status for cerebellar ataxia.

A carrier may be used for breeding, but only when mated to a genetically clear dog. Two carriers will never be bred to each other.

This approach allows carriers to remain part of the breeding population while ensuring that no affected puppies are produced, thereby supporting genetic diversity without compromising health.

3.4 Other Health Considerations

Tercinta places particular emphasis on:

  • freedom from allergies, including significant skin or gastrointestinal problems

  • absence of autoimmune disease

4. Temperament and Working Ability

4.1 Working Ability

In keeping with the original purpose of the retriever and the Norwegian Retriever Club's emphasis on working ability, we aim to breed Tercinta dogs that are:

  • biddable and responsive to their handler

  • naturally enthusiastic about retrieving, with a spontaneous desire to pick up game or dummies

  • steady to shot and confident in different environments

  • playful, willing to work and cooperative

  • able to switch easily between activity and relaxation

  • confident and capable swimmers

Working ability is evaluated and documented through Working Tests (WT), retriever working tests, training reports and observations of the dogs in everyday life.

4.2 Temperament in Everyday Life

Kennel Tercinta places great emphasis on temperament, in accordance with the breeding principles of both the Norwegian Kennel Club and the Norwegian Retriever Club.

We value:

  • confidence

  • sociability

  • stability in unfamiliar environments

  • absence of aggression and excessive fearfulness

Dogs displaying pronounced fearfulness beyond what may reasonably be considered normal, or dogs displaying aggression, are not used for breeding.

5. Conformation and Functional Structure

Tercinta prioritises dogs with moderate, functional conformation.

We place particular emphasis on:

  • correct and balanced construction and angulation

  • strong feet and a strong back

  • good physical and working capacity

  • a functional, balanced coat

  • the typical Flatcoated Retriever head without exaggeration

  • healthy, functional size and body proportions

Exaggerated breed type or structural extremes are avoided.

6. Requirements for Breeding Dogs at Kennel Tercinta

Dogs used in our breeding programme must meet the following requirements:

  • HD A or B

  • free from patellar luxation

  • known genetic status for cerebellar ataxia, with carrier-to-clear matings only

  • current eye examination and gonioscopy

  • good physical and mental health

  • documented health information from close relatives

  • registered, permanently identified and health-cleared in accordance with Norwegian Kennel Club regulations

6.1 Additional Desired Qualities

Where possible, we also favour:

  • ED 0

  • documented working ability through Working Tests and/or retriever working tests

  • a conformation show result of at least Very Good

6.2 Age

Kennel Tercinta follows the recommendations of the Norwegian Kennel Club and the Norwegian Retriever Club regarding the age of breeding animals.

  • Bitches have their first litter after 24 months of age.

  • Stud dogs are used once their health and temperament have been sufficiently evaluated, preferably after reaching two years of age.

  • Bitches over seven years of age are bred from only following veterinary assessment.

7. Lifelong Follow-up of Our Puppies

In accordance with the Norwegian Retriever Club's recommendation to collect health and working data, Tercinta aims to follow the dogs we breed throughout their lives.

Owners of Tercinta dogs are encouraged to:

  • have their dogs officially screened for HD and ED

  • have their dogs eye examined

  • report relevant information regarding health and behaviour

  • participate in training courses, working tests, other relevant trials and/or temperament assessments

This provides valuable information and a stronger basis for future breeding decisions.

8. Ethical Framework and Breed Club Requirements

8.1 Norwegian Kennel Club Ethical Guidelines for Breeding

Kennel Tercinta follows the Norwegian Kennel Club's ethical principles for breeding and rearing dogs.

These include:

  • breeding only from physically and mentally healthy dogs

  • safeguarding breed function, health and welfare

  • making breeding decisions that support genetic diversity

  • maintaining accurate and transparent documentation

  • ensuring high standards of animal welfare for breeding dogs, bitches and puppies

The Norwegian Kennel Club's ethical principles form the foundation of all planning and decisions within our breeding programme.

8.2 Norwegian Retriever Club Breeding Requirements and Guidelines

Kennel Tercinta follows the Norwegian Retriever Club's:

  • health requirements regarding hips, elbows and eyes

  • recommendations concerning working ability

  • emphasis on moderate, functional conformation

  • guidelines concerning temperament and the breed's original working purpose

All breeding dogs and planned combinations are assessed in accordance with the current requirements and recommendations of the Norwegian Retriever Club.

9. Long-term Goals – 10 to 20 Years

Our long-term breeding goals are to:

  • contribute to increased longevity within the Flatcoated Retriever breed

  • maintain and strengthen genetic diversity

  • breed healthy, functional Flatcoated Retrievers with a strong willingness to work

  • preserve the classic, balanced Flatcoated Retriever type

  • maintain stable temperaments and produce confident, well-functioning family dogs