Course discussed how genetics plays in the behavior and performance in dogs. It discussed how this can be used in a breeding program, but the information is useful for CBCC and clients, especially if they know the dog's background (parents, grandparents). It also helps further understand breed difference and how/why some behaviors are more in some breeds than other (OCD, by looking at environmental roles, phenotype, genotype, epigenetics, domesitcation of dogs, and more. The course looked at different types of working dogs, studies by Scott and Fuller, how breeding dog colonies were worked with for guide/leader dogs and how breeding played into temperament, working traits, and even structure of the dog. This information has helped with behavior cases in breeds I am not as familiar. Understanding how genetics has played into who the dogs is and how some responses are genetic, some environmental, and some a mix. Here's the official course description: What makes a great agility dog, mentally and physically, and can you breed a better one? How do you predictably produce a great guide dog for the blind - can you actually breed for intelligence, work ethic, and the ability to interpret directions correctly and safely? What about detection dogs - mines, drugs, seizures - can you improve these traits with selective breeding? Where does the speed of the coursing dog come from, and can you breed for speed versus endurance? Is aggression genetic, and can you breed for more in a guard dog and less in a pet? Many traits are a combination of genetics and environment, and understanding this can allow you to select for the heritable traits you want more efficiently and not waste time trying to select for something that isn't genetic. In this class we will learn about how the heritability of a trait is determined, how that information can be used to better understand the capabilities of dogs, and how breeders can take advantage of this information when breeding for particular traits. We will also learn how DNA technology can be used to assess at birth the traits a dog will have as an adult. http://www.instituteofcaninebiology.org/genetics-of-behavior-and-performance.html

Sponsor:Institute of Canine Biology
Speaker(s):Carol Beuchat

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