Final - Lecture 1

Question 1

What is a companion animal?

Answer 1

Any breed/ species that is not part of an organized breeding program (livestock, pets, exotics)

Question 2

Breeding program

Answer 2

the design and maintenance of the system to create new companion animals

Question 3

Steps involved in developing a breeding program (8)

Answer 3

1. Base population available
2. selection goals
3. Health concerns
4. Phenotypes needed
5. EBV calculations
6. EBV combinations
7. QTL incorporation
8. Select best as parents, breed, get offspring

Question 4

What factors must be considered regarding base population?

Answer 4

• population size
• male to female ratio (possible inbreeding)
• gestation interval (multi vs. single birth)
• age distribution (life cycle)
• health concerns and life cycle issues
• phenotypes available
• legal restrictions

Question 5

What factors must be considered regarding selection goals?

Answer 5

• improve phenotypes
• inventory of status quo
• -> breeders - genetics, knowledge base, breed standards
• -> customers - demand

Question 6

What factors must be considered regarding phenotypes needed?

Answer 6

• demand (goals) - phenotypes of interest
• deficit traits (avoid practical things to impede breeding program)
• breed standards
• intelligence/trainability - objectively test
• -> odd categories (middle value)