On factor that limits the smallholder from improving his/her herd is resources to buy a purebred sire (male),if possible for the smallholder to find and breed the purebred to his/her very best doe(s).Stud fees are cheaper than buying and caring for the live animal(s).Another problem with the smallholder is they tend to practise unproductive methods,true quality high production stock require more care and better quality feeds over the native stock,but quality stock speaks for itself,much improved production over the native.Line breeeding and backcross breeding can build up a herd and also destroy a herd.Backcross breeding is breeding a Son to his Mother or breeding a Daughter to her Father,you breed the best to the best,linebreeding is breeding animals that are related by ancestory,Daughter to her Grandfather,Son to his Grandmother.There is a limit as to how far one can go,remember if carried too far,this can become Inbreeding which is not what a producer wants,this will cause alot of problems down the road with health issues,stunted growth etc.This is only an option for those smallholders on a limited budget,this can help to improve a herd,but if careless,can destroy a herd.It is advised to replace your breeding buck every 3 years to prevent in-breeding.
When 2 animals carrying recessive genes for a deleterious trait are bred,there is an increased chance for that trait to appear in some of the offspring.It happens,if the line is free of harmful recessives,then in-breeding will do no harm.The big question is how do you know?You do not until problems start showing up.Always breed your very best,to the very best.Shortcuts lead to major problems down the road.Good record keeping is valuable information at ones finger tips.