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Breeding is no longer an
“elitist” hobby and its rewards as either a pastime or a profession are
no longer a well-kept secret. All this spells opportunity and hope for
those interested in breeding the purebred dog. Time, technology and
information have changed how breeders are now able to produce the better
dogs. Many of these are being driven by the phenomenal, worldwide
knowledge revolution equal in significance to the industrial revolution
that so drastically changed society for our ancestors of the 19th
century.
Today, a legion of computers
with mammoth storage capacity fuels the invisible network of the
internet on which individual breeders, organizations and universities
post files of data. The extent and breadth of this electronic material
continues to mushroom daily. With new resources and a growing
technology, more improvements are now within the grasp of more breeders.
However, in the midst of all of these changes one concern continues and
it still plagues most breeders. It is the quality of the information
they are using. It can vary widely.
One of the key steps to
breeding better dogs is the information they are able to collect about
each ancestor. This is called pedigree analysis. It is a process of
disassembly - breaking down the total complex number of ancestors into
their constituent parts (virtues and faults). Pedigree analysis, if done
properly, should show that some ancestors are better than others and
that some will carry traits that are desired while others will be
carriers. It should uncover the desirable and undesirable. This analysis
should illuminate and approximate the nature of the genotypes, which are
the inherited traits. The genotype is determined by the genes received
from the parents, one-half from the sire and one-half from the dam.
Tracking what is passed forward is the challenge. What complicates the
search is that most inherited traits in animals are produced by
polygenes. This includes: conformation, type, size, longevity, disease
resistance, temperament, speed, milk production, growth rates, sexual
maturity, and numerous diseases. Therefore, it is not surprising that
those who rely on pedigree analysis will improve their chances of
producing the better dogs sooner than those who don't.
What makes this approach so
useful is that it helps to identify the essential features of a
pedigree. In this regard, pedigree analysis becomes a means to an end.
If we stand back and look at the process, we can boil it down to the
reliability of our research and how well we apply our skills to the
process. As professionals, we are expected to know the sources that
exist for our breed through the whereabouts of their peculiarities. We
are also expected to know the limits of the repositories and what is
imposed on them by the facilities who maintain them. In order to achieve
an appropriate balance between the use of articles, materials and other
kinds of related information, we must become familiar with databases and
where they are published. An integral part of our analysis should
involve the use of technology which provides several types of portable
equipment needed to expedite our research. If used properly, they can
enhance the quality of our work. Digital cameras, hand held scanners,
lap tops, portable printers, specialized pedigrees and databases, all
have become the tools of those who work smarter.
Given all of the changes
that have occurred, there still remain a few problems that have not
changed. For example, the best hedge against failure is to know the
breed standard, coupled with the careful analysis of each ancestor. This
coupled with knowing what traits are most reliable when choosing the
best pups is what also helps to produce results by direction rather than
chance. Without these skills breeders cannot craft a breeding plan that
manages the carriers or concentrates the genes needed in the offspring.
The process of pedigree analysis and information gathering when managed
properly produces these results. Preparedness is the watchword of the
future.
In a general sense, we know
that all good breeders are dreamers. So let's take the time to identify
our dreams and the elements that will convert them to reality. In our
society, anyone can breed dogs. There are no entrance examinations and
no rules or penalties for those who don't collect the critical
information needed before they make a breeding decision. Nothing is
required in the rules or regulations of the AKC and no organization
serves to punish those who make mistakes. Any one of our neighbors can
claim to be a breeder. There are no wrongdoers. What further complicates
matters are the 78 chromosomes (humans have 46) and the thousands of
genes that each one houses. Inside each gene there is information
everyone is seeking. Another way to understand this problem is to
appreciate how a new individual is formed. Its sire contributes one-half
(39) of his chromosomes and the dam contributes one-half (39) of her
chromosomes to their offspring. Each time this occurs there are no
guarantees about the qualities or health of the litter. Part of the
dilemma comes when we consider that 50-60% of the best dogs in most
breeds are not owned by their breeders. This statistic should be
sobering to those trying to breed better dogs. What it suggests is that
the skills needed for breeding may be present, but those for selecting
the best pups are lacking. Anyone who contemplates breeding should know
the realities of what time and experience can do to help in the
development of the skills necessary to breed the better dogs.
INTROSPECTION
Each of us knows deep down
the unique talents and experiences we can draw upon when selecting sires
and dams. Ideally, we should set aside a block of time in a quiet place
- just to be alone with our thoughts. We need to think and dream
concretely about our goals, visions, objectives, weaknesses and fears.
This is a time when we can appraise the present and decide on the
future. In the beginning, answers probably will come slowly and with
some difficulty. The first hour may sometimes feel awkward as we fumble
with little direction. So we try again and each time we try, we will
coax up more information that we have or will need. We cannot skip this
step even if we think we have already made up our minds. The insights we
garner from thinking about the problems we want to overcome and those we
choose to accomplish will soon begin to surface.
Identifying the strengths
and weaknesses of each ancestor is only the beginning. The ability to
work long, focused hours collecting information in order to analyze a
pedigree is one of the defining attributes of a successful breeder.
These individuals do not burn out quickly and most work well beyond the
limit where others will become bored, disinterested or tired of the
project. Because most of the genetic disorders are recessive or have a
major recessive component, the identification of the carriers is an
important part of this process.
Experts agree that genetic
tests are some of the best tools available. They can help breeders to
make informed decisions. In doing so however, we must be careful that we
do not produce more problems as a result of unwarranted culling. For
example, by eliminating every carrier one could reduce the incidence of
one disease and increase the incidence of another by repeated use of
males known to be clear of the gene that caused the first condition
(Bell). Typically, this occurs when breeders skip the step called
pedigree analysis and go forward with their breedings before they
determine what strengths and weaknesses are present in their sires and
dams.
The goal of pedigree
analysis and genetic testing is to use information to our advantage. The
following was taken from a paper presented by Dr. Jerold Bell, a noted
canine geneticist. “If one defective gene can be identified, through a
genetic test, out of tens of thousands of genes it does not warrant the
elimination of the breeding animal. The better approach is to use
carriers who are of breeding quality in other areas such as temperament,
performance and conformation. These carriers, if superior in quality,
should be bred to normal-tested mates. If these offspring are tested
prior to placement, better decisions can be made regarding their status
as a pet or breeding prospect. The goal should be to replace the carrier
parents with a quality, normal-testing offspring. If a quality offspring
occurs and it is a carrier, it can be used to replace the original
carrier if its conformation shows an improvement over one or both of its
parents. Using this model, improvements will occur as the carrier
frequency is diminished. For these reasons, breeders should limit the
number of carrier-tested offspring they use. By not having a plan to
select against the carriers, breeders will be selecting for a carrier
frequency of fifty-percent which is higher than most breed averages”
(Bell).
Generally speaking, the
frequency of carriers in most breeds will exceed the number that are
affected. As more genetic tests are developed, there will be a greater
chance of identifying and managing more of the carriers. At the present
time there are approximately 40 DNA tests available for this purpose.
This means that the quality of our research coupled with pedigree
analysis can be used to improve our breeding decisions.
As more testable disorders
are identified, breeders will come to appreciate that there will only be
a small population of dogs that are, in fact, normal. This is not
surprising given what is known about the frequency of carriers in most
breeds. What this means is that by collecting and sharing information,
coupled with honest reporting, everyone in a breed can benefit. Those
who take the path of silence or become reluctant to test will place a
drag on their breed and will limit the usefulness of databases and
registries.
In the end, the future will be in the hands of those who take the time
to develop their skills, use the new tools and apply the resources
available. They will become part of the movement that practices thinking
smarter, not working harder. They are the new kind of breeders and they
have arrived.
REFERENCES:
- Bell, Jerold, Annual Conference and
Symposium, August 4-7, 2004 Hyatt Regency Hotel. Lexington, KY.
- Ostrander, Elaine, Presentation at a
Workshop for the AKC Directors December 13, 2004, NY, NY.
- Professional Genealogy, Editor
Elizabeth S. Mills, Genealogy Publication Company, 2001. Baltimore MD
- Willis, Malcomb, "Breeding Dogs"
Canine Health Conference, AKC Canine health Conference, Oct. 15-17,
1999. St. Louis, MO.
ABOUT THE
AUTHOR
Carmen L. Battaglia holds a Ph.D. and Masters Degree from Florida State
University. As an AKC judge, researcher and writer, he has been a leader
in promoting ways to breed better dogs. Dr. Battaglia is also a
popular TV and radio talk show speaker. His seminars on breeding dogs,
selecting sires and choosing puppies have been well received by the
breed clubs throughout the dog world. Those interested in learning more
about his seminars should contact him directly or visit his website for
breeders at:
http://www.breedingbetterdogs.com./
Published in The Canine Chronicle |
