Re: Showline vs. working GSD - Breeding analysis -- Boerboel Breeders Info. Forum

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Date Posted: 06:53:46 03/31/04 Wed
Author: David I.
Subject: Re: Showline vs. working GSD - Breeding analysis
In reply to: DKH 's message, "Re: Showline vs. working GSD - Breeding analysis" on 18:33:12 03/30/04 Tue

"Rather than use a statistical pedigree analysis to try to locate rare founder genes, one can instead simply assess the dogs living today. Genes and genetic combinations worth saving for a working dog breeding program can be found in those dogs who retain breed working abilities."

Dave:
Of course this presupposes that you have the genetic resources (in large part sheer numbers) in the breed to support such an effort. In the GSD you do. What occurred to me when I read this is, if taken to a ridiculous extreme, would be: "just go down to the pound and pick up a kennels worth of diverse mutts and
begin breeding and selecting for working traits." Of course a program like this would be "biological mush" and would not get very far.

On the other hand if you criteria points you towards the same handful of dogs in your breed, you will not be able to sustain breeding efforts very far. As seen in the GSD example, a broad genetic base maintains complex traits needed for a working dog population. Those traits are transmitted across generations largely by continual outcrossing, as in wild wolves.

No doubt the show champs are "prettier". Empty shells.
Thank you for you comments.

David

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Replies:

Re: Two points -- DKH, 05:09:32 04/01/04 Thu
- Not selecting working ability as major criteria is ruinous. -- David I., 21:15:18 04/01/04 Thu