i just came across this and i think it fits in with this thread


While there exists no absolute set of rules to guarantee your breeding program is successful, there are
general rules to play by. You should always thoroughly understand the goals you are trying to attain. You
should understand as much as possible the genetic mechanisms underlying the traits you want to select for.
And you should understand that there is, and there will always be, a lot of luck. You cannot change the rules,
but you can stack the deck in your favor.