The Serious Breeder/Genetics Book

The Serious Breeder/Genetics book is a short, easy course in basic genetics for dog breeders. In only 22 pages, it gives you everything you need to know to understand genetics, and start using science to improve your line of dogs. The articles in the book were first published as a series in Good Dog! magazine in 1991 and 1992, but "The Little Blue Genetics Book" remains a popular classic among dog breeders worldwide. Here's what's in it:

I. Introduction. Why genetics is important to dog breeders. "A breeder must learn to evaluate dogs honestly ..." Evaluating dogs. Faults.

II. Breeding Systems. "The bottom line is to breed individuals who are the most nearly perfect, and whose ancestors were sound in the area you are trying to improve upon." Inbreeding. Linebreeding. Linecrossing. Outcrossing. Heterosis.

III. How to be a Gene-ius. "Science replaces rule of thumb generalities. By applying the proven practices of the livestock industry, you can determine the probabilities of coming out with exactly what you want in a dog." Genes make the dog. Nature vs. Nurture. How Sex Is Determined. Trying on Pairs of Genes. The Inbreeding Coefficient. Heritability Estimates.

IV. Selection Criteria. "A responsible breeder will establish goals and a standard for breeding genetically healthy dogs." Analyzing a Pedigree. Inbreeding Coefficients. Conformation. Soundness and Health. Disposition. Homozygosity and Prepotency. The Big However. How to Save Your Line.

V. Selection & Improvement of Breeding Stock. Developing a Selection Index of Desirable Traits. Rate of Improvement Varies. Using Heritability Estimates. Using a Selection Index.

VI. Rotational Breeding Programs. Inbreeding. Linebreeding. Linecrossing. Outcrossing. Heterosis. Rotational Breeding Program. Topcrossing. How to Begin Rotational Breeding and Topcrossing Programs.

VII. Good Breeding. Becoming a Serious Breeder.

VIII. Bonus Article: Structural Engineering of the Dog's Leg. How you can pick a puppy who won't have joint problems.

The Instructor's Manual - Compliment to the Ross Reck's book, Revved!

Now available from Barnes and Noble

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