Black and Tan English Shepherds
Old-fashioned Black and Tan English Shepherd Association
A dog breed, or any animal breed, requires a delicate balance between genetic diversity and consistency of traits. Both of these aspects are essential for the breed’s long-term survival and health, as well as for maintaining the breed’s defining characteristics. Variability for Health: Variability in a breed’s gene pool is essential for maintaining the breed’s … Read more
This review synthesizes the existing literature on factors that influence the life expectancy of dogs. The factors examined include breed, genetics, diet, physical activity, veterinary care, dental health, obesity, training methods, owner behavior consistency, engagement in activities, and the living environment. The review highlights the importance of each factor in maintaining a dog’s overall … Read more
Dmitry Belyaev, a Russian geneticist, conducted a long-term experiment on the domestication of silver foxes (Vulpes vulpes) that demonstrated how selecting for tameness could result in a number of correlated changes, including coat color changes. Starting in the late 1950s, Belyaev and his team selectively bred silver foxes, choosing only the tamest individuals to … Read more
This short article touches on the factors that influence farm dog behavior, examining both ultimate (evolutionary) and proximate (immediate) causes. Ultimate causes include natural selection and adaptation, which have resulted in farm dogs developing specific traits and instincts to excel in their roles on the farm. Proximate causes encompass learning, socialization, genetics, hormones, and … Read more
Breeding dogs requires knowledge in areas such as genetics, breeding ethics, animal welfare, and breed-specific health concerns. This article provides an overview of the essential areas of knowledge one should be familiar with to breed dogs successfully. Areas of Knowledge Breeding dogs well requires knowledge in several areas, including: Genetics Understanding the basics of … Read more