Page 24 - Chow Life - Spring 2017_Neat

KNOWLEDGE-BASED

BREEDING

By Dr. Carmen L. Battaglia

INTRODUCTION have the same objective, which is to these things breeders must pay
When two breeders meet in produce something of perfection. close attention to the traits of
conversation they often exchange If the producer of a puppy is only the ancestors and what they have
information about litters and interested in the commercial aspect produced. For breeders interested in
then go about sharing ideas of breeding and intends to sell dogs improving the front assembly they
which eventually lead to a future only to make money or because must work to produce offspring
breeding. These conversations they want some cute pups for their that do not have forequarters with
remind me about how we learn children they will have no interest in scapulars (shoulder blades) that
from our exchanges of information, this article. For those whose interest are short and steep which give the
experience and mistakes all of focuses on producing quality dogs appearance of a short neck. To
which promote learning. Successful that are close to the breed standard, avoid these pitfalls, information
breeders know that they must be sound in temperament with good must be collected about the
practical and patient in estimating health, read on. fourteen ancestors in the first
the time and number of litters it will three generations and if possible,
take to solve a problem or produce KNOWLEDGE BASED their littermates. In the simplest
a special dog. Thus, when a planned In the past, before new of terms, each breeding is a mix of
breeding occurs there is usually technologies such as DNA tests and genes from the sire and dam (50
the expectation for something health databases were available, – 50). The breeder who is serious
good. It is an assumption based breeders did the best they could about producing quality must
on the idea that if a really good with what they had to work study and evaluate these ancestors
pup comes along the breeder has with. Today things are different. and then develop a strategy based
sufficient skill and knowledge to Knowledge-based breeding has on the information collected. In
recognize it. In this sense breeders emerged. This means that when order to shift the odds in favor
are the producers of a product. quality information is collected of the breeder, knowledge-based
Thus it makes no difference what and then coupled with the breeding helps move the needle.
product you produce the goal is advancements of science, progress It requires the collection of the
quality. Take for example the baker is more certain. Even with this kind right kinds of information and then
of cakes. We expect that a baker of knowledge the time and effort the willingness to use it properly.
It begins with the fourteen direct
required to fix ancestors of the sire and dam (three
a problem or generations). They are central
Knowledge-based breeding translates
produce litters of to managing risk and making
into more than just knowing if a dog consistent quality improvements.
has produced a defect or is known to is not always Knowledge-based breeding
short and it can
be a good producer. translates into more than just
not be quantified. knowing if a dog has produced a
For these reasons defect or is known to be a good
careful thinking
knows what a good cake looks like is expected. For example, more is producer. It is more than saving a
and can recognize a cake that has now known about how to analyze few pups as replacements for older
faults or short comings. A good pedigrees and use new breeding dogs. The example that follows
baker is expected to be able to make methods. Take for instance the explores how information which is
a cake that is tall, flat or round. breeder who intends to produce gathered about the relatives in the
To do so requires knowing what a specific trait such as a dog with first three generations can be used
ingredients are required, the bake a body that is longer than tall, a to make specific improvements. In
time and how the cake must wedge shaped head, a strong and practice, knowledge based breeding
be treated after it arrives. level back, or a tail that curls up or begins with the reminder that there
Bakers and breeders both hangs down. In order to accomplish are two known ways to evaluate
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